the problem that trying to back up a folder in win2k3 is giving me permissions errors, and even though I know I can take ownership a
nd override the permissions, that'd destroy the entire existing permissions structure, which = major pain to redo

There's a tool iirc, to show permissions. I think it's in the SysInternals Suite.

what are you using to back it up?

Trying the simplistic approach of dragging and dropping to a network share. When that didn't work, I did an xcopy /c to the same net
work share (except now mounted to a drive letter)

I think you might be able to use NT Backup.

at least xcopy lets me continue past the files I don't have permissions to, unlike drag and drop. But it still doesn't copy those fi
les, obviously

are you doing it as an admin user?

If you are willing to use xcopy you may want to look at robocopy out of the Windows 2003 resource kit.

Member of Domain Admins and of Backup Operators

Although, be sure to override the default retries. It's set to 1 million retries by default.

that's pretty strange then, IMO

Well, apparently "backup operators" works because all objects grant permissions to that group by default
when those default permissions change, that's no longer the case
e.g. I have some users who are in the habit of setting permissions on their files and folders so that ONLY they can read them. And t
hose users are currently not being backed up as a result.
I'll look into robocopy

http://johnhgoodwin.com/resources/sysadmin/windows <== look at he SysInternals Suite.

well, tell then that if they want the files backed up, they need to include backup operators group

The first 2 apps look like they may be of use.
Also robocopy summarizes failures at the end of the report.