April 17, 2002 at 10:25 am
My Sql Agent backup jobs (full, differential and log) started failing recently - no specific error message other than saying the step failed. I checked the tape contents through the 'backup' in Sql Server, and that returned an error message saying it couldn't read the header file so the media was invalid.
These are tapes we have used before - we even tried using a new tape and got the same message.
Does anyone know a) is this likely why the backup is failing and b) any ideas how to resolve it?
Thanks!
April 17, 2002 at 11:11 am
Check NT Event log and SQL Server Logs for some details (backups are logged). Anyway may be cleaning needs, bad recorder head, or bad drive. But the log may give more insight.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)
April 17, 2002 at 11:48 am
SQL Server Scheduled Job 'ADPS DATA ENTRY LOG BACKUP' ....Status: Failed ... Message: The job failed. The Job was invoked by Schedule 26 (Schedule 1). The last step to run was step 1 (Step 1).
That is all that is in the log files - NT alerts as well as sql server logs.
If it is the drive - for instance it needs cleaning - I know nothing about how to do that? Any starting references?
Thank you for your help!
April 17, 2002 at 12:42 pm
Can you backup to disk? Try a simple backup of master to disk and see what happens.
If this works, try a manual backup of master to tape and see what happens.
Also, check the job owner. Has this person been moved or deleted?
Steve Jones
April 17, 2002 at 1:36 pm
Job owner has not changed. The backup to disk was sucessful - and the only difference between that job and the one that failed is backing up to disk (success) vs. to tape (failed).
Thank you for the suggestion b/c it did narrow the problem down to the tape drive.
As for manual backup to disk - what do you mean exactly?
Thank you for your help!
April 17, 2002 at 3:22 pm
Ok you stated you did not know about cleaning the tape drive. This needs to be done periodically to ensure tape mess and dust are not on the recording heads. Since you tried a new tape I assume must be a mechanics issue. Depending on the type of tape drive you have there should be a cleaning tape available for it specifically. I have two DLT7000s and when I clean I put the tape in, runs a minute, the unloads and lets me know I can open and place new/existing tape in drive. Try getting a cleaning tape for your specific drive, clean, and then see what happens. If still fails, the reinstall the hardware drivers. If still fails then the drive may be suffering some other issue, get a tech on it ASAP and replace if needed.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)
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