STSADM to Backup Sharepoint

I have tried many different ways to backup a Sharepoint site. I have found STSADM to be pretty reliable when backing up an entire site.

Here is the command I use:

stsadm -o backup -url http://sharepoint/site -filename d:\backupfolder\backup.bak -backupmethod full

You can also use the -overwrite switch to overwrite an existing backup file.

Deactivate Features in SharePoint

I am currently working with 2 different Sharepoint servers. One is running MOSS, the other WSS3. I am attempting to export a form libary from MOSS to WSS3. During the import process I ran into the following error: "Could not find Feature DataConectionLibrary" After doing some research I was able to find the following fix:

Before you export the the site using stsadm you must first deactivate the feature. Use this command to deactivate the feature:

stsadm -o deactivatefeature -name DataConnectionLibary -url [the url of your site] -force

After stsadm has completed successfully, export the site using:

stsadm - export -url [url of your site] -versions 4 -includeusersecurity -filename [location of where you want to save the backup file ex. c:\backup\sitebackup.bak]

After your export is complete go ahead and reactivate the feature on the origional site:

stsadm -o activatefeature -name DataConnectionLibary -url [the url of your site] -force