Can't change directory in a backup

  • I am doing an SQL database backup in server management express. When I right click on the database

    i go to tasks > backup. when i try to add a backup destination I don't see my complete C: drive directory.

    I can even create a new folder in program files since program files does show up, but the new folder doesn't show.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks

  • Hi

    I don't know anything about the SQL Server Express gui tools, but have a look to registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL9.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQLServer

    There should be a "BackupDirectory" configured. Change it and restart the service. Maybe somebody else has a more handy solution.

    Greets

    Flo

  • When you click Backup, choose Disk, ADD... then click that [...], it will open up the whole directory of your computer and you can choose the desired directory from there. Hope it helps.

  • That is what my explanation says I am doing above. The whole point is that it doesn't show me nearly all my directories when I do that.

    But thanks

  • Hi,

    You can't see anything in your drive C? Or your structure looks different then what you expect when you go backup? Is your SQL Server on the same box as your SSMS tools? Or you are connecting to remote server? If connecting to remote server when you go to backup it will show the directory listing on that computer not your local computer.

    Mohit.

    [font="Arial"]---

    Mohit K. Gupta, MCITP: Database Administrator (2005), My Blog, Twitter: @SQLCAN[/url].
    Microsoft FTE - SQL Server PFE

    * Some time its the search that counts, not the finding...
    * I didn't think so, but if I was wrong, I was wrong. I'd rather do something, and make a mistake than be frightened and be doing nothing. :smooooth:[/font]

    How to ask for help .. Read Best Practices here[/url].

  • You are right. I am actually looking at the directory on the server. How do I redirect the backup to save to another drive?

    Thanks!

  • To backup a database on a network drive, you either have to map the network drive on the sql server or use the UNC path in the BACKUP statement. For e.g.

    BACKUP DATABASE SomeDB TO DISK = '\\MyNetworkSystem\Shared\SomeDB_Backup.Bak'

    --Ramesh


  • As Ramesh suggested the GUI interface will not show you network drives or network servers. But you can enter in any path the SQL Service account has access.

    You can also set the default path on your SQL Server as per in this article or as Flo pointed out :-). You will need to restart services to take these paths ...

    After that you can execute

    BACKUP DATABASE DBNAME

    and it should go to the default location as set in registery.

    Thanks.

    [font="Arial"]---

    Mohit K. Gupta, MCITP: Database Administrator (2005), My Blog, Twitter: @SQLCAN[/url].
    Microsoft FTE - SQL Server PFE

    * Some time its the search that counts, not the finding...
    * I didn't think so, but if I was wrong, I was wrong. I'd rather do something, and make a mistake than be frightened and be doing nothing. :smooooth:[/font]

    How to ask for help .. Read Best Practices here[/url].

  • Mohit (3/31/2009)


    As Ramesh suggested the GUI interface will not show you network drives or network servers. But you can enter in any path the SQL Service account has access.

    You can also set the default path on your SQL Server as per in this article or as Flo pointed out :-). You will need to restart services to take these paths ...

    I just have to emphasize that this would be an ugly way to configure the default directory for backups if you have no idea of Express Edition tools! - Like me 😛

    Greets

    Flo

  • Heh I don't know why Mirosoft doesn't make that option avalaible in the GUI.

    I really don't like the backup GUI interface that comes with SSMS; I would the file selection/path selection was more like the regular windows.

    But I guess they do that because they are getting the Server's listing for hard-drives and folder listing.

    I use the default backup path sometimes; in most cases I have recreated restore scripts that I use. And they take full UNC path and restore file name to restore or backup :).

    Mohit.

    [font="Arial"]---

    Mohit K. Gupta, MCITP: Database Administrator (2005), My Blog, Twitter: @SQLCAN[/url].
    Microsoft FTE - SQL Server PFE

    * Some time its the search that counts, not the finding...
    * I didn't think so, but if I was wrong, I was wrong. I'd rather do something, and make a mistake than be frightened and be doing nothing. :smooooth:[/font]

    How to ask for help .. Read Best Practices here[/url].

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