Differential Restore?

  • Windows Server 2003R2 w/ Sp2

    MS SQL 2005 w/ Sp1

    Currently run a weekly (full) backup and a daily (differential) backup.

    When I format the server and rebuild I restored the DB using the weekly (full) backup and all worked as it should.

    When I format the server and rebuild I attempted to restore the DB using the daily (differential) backup - I got the following error:

    'SPCDBDIF.BAK ' is not part of a multiple family media set. BACKUP WITH FORMAT can be used to form a new media set. RESTORE HEADERONLY is terminating abnormally. (MS SQL Server, Error: 3259)

    I am sure I am not using the differential file properly. What is the proper method to restore a DB and use a differential backup?

    Any insight appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Kerry

  • Hello Kerry,

    Make sure when you restore the full backup copy, it should be restored by keeping the database in "NO RECOVERY" mode. It should be in "Recovery" mode when you apply the final differential backup or the transaction log backups.

    So in your case, you are trying to restore the database from the regular full backup but selecting the option as "Recovery". You should select "No Recovery" and when you apply the differential backup then only select "Recovery" option.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks


    Lucky

  • Lucky,

    Thank you very much! That resolved the issue!

    Kerry

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