Quote from the help file on 1.04 firmware,
"When enabled, the file attribute--"Archive" will be copied as the file is being stored on the DNS-323. Certain backup softwares attach this attribute to files that are being stored as backups. "
If you have having problems with Archive bits on firmware 1.03 then I highly suggest you move to 1.04 where you have the option of enabling and disabling this feature.
This does not work.
If I have the map archive enabled, the archive bit is set on all files and cannot be cleared, if I have map archive disabled, the archive bit is cleared on all files and cannot be set.
By the way, the help file is incorrect. The backup software does not "attach this attribute to files that are being stored as backups"
When a file is created or modified, the operating system sets the archive attribute or bit, backup software checks for the presence of the archive bit to determine if the file needs to be backed up.
On a full backup the backup software will backup the file, regardless of the setting archive bit and reset the bit.
On an incremental backup (backup all files created/changed since the last backup) the backup software checks for the archive bit, if it is set, indicating a new or modified file, the backup software will backup the file and reset the bit.
On a differential backup (backup all files created/changed since the last
full backup) the backup software checks for the archive bit, if it is set, indicating a new or modified file, the backup software will backup the file, but does not reset the bit.
Just in case it matters - my testing was done with Windows XP Professional.