Post reply

Can I restore a SQL 2K, SP4 backup to SQL 2k, SP2?

  • September 1, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    #209341

    I am receiving an error when trying to restore a database to another server. The backup was taken from SQL 2000, SP4 and I'm trying to restore it to a SQL 2000, SP2 box. Should this be possible? If so, then I think the .bak is possibly corrupt. The error is "Restore failed ...(filename).bak is incorrectly formed."

    Thanks for your thoughts or suggestions.

  • September 1, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    #1047935

    You should be able to restore a SQL 2000 backup to another SQL 2000 instance regardless of the service pack.

    The error message you are getting seems to suggest (to me) that the file name you are using is badly formed. Check the that file name is correct.

  • September 2, 2009 at 10:16 am

    #1048279

    Hi, thank you for your post. I'm not sure what you mean by the file name being bad. I browse to it and select it from the GUI. I am in the process of working around this. I appreciate your answer on the service pack question. I thought perhaps the difference in service packs was the issue. The .bak file is a 10GB file, so maybe that increased the possibility of corruption. It has been transmitted over networks and moved server to server.

    Thanks again! If you have more ideas I'd be happy to hear them.

  • September 3, 2009 at 3:30 am

    #1048601

    You can use the UNC name (\\servername\sharename\backup.bak) to store your backup file on a network server. this way, you don't have to move your backup file from server to server.:-)

    Thanks & Regards,
    Sudeepta.
    http://twitter.com/skganguly

  • September 3, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    #1048989

    I can see several reasons for this error message:

    1. Backup file is incomplete or it is just part of stripped backup set.

    2. Backup file corrupted by antivirus software during the transfer from server to server

    3. You are trying to restore SS2005 backup file on SS2000 server.

    4. The backup file is not native and was taken by third-party backup software

    Best regards,

  • September 3, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    #1048996

    Excellent list of possibilities! Thank you very much.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply