Sql-server – Restoring a database is not working

restoresql server

I have a database called FDB. I have created this database on my PC with SQL Server Express Edition and added one table. I made a backup of this database. The SQL Server version on the server is 2005.

I copied this backup to the server and tried to restore it, but I get this message:

The media family on device C:\Program File\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Bacup\FDB.bak is incorrectly formatted. SQL Server cannot process this media family. RESTORE Headeronly is terminating abnormally. Microsoft SQL Server error 3241

Best Answer

If you have created the backup of a SQL Server 2008 database and are trying to restore it on a SQL Server 2005 instance, you will receive this error. You cannot do this.

Your best bet would be to script out the database (as long as all of the schema and objects are 2005 compatibile). You can't downgrade a database.

Related Solutions

Sql-server – How to restore multiple backups

Using SSMS, you cannot chain a restore of the backups in one operation. You would have to do multiple restores. You'll want to use T-SQL in order to be more efficient.

--Restore the most recent full backup
RESTORE DATABASE <mydb>
FROM DISK = 'Path to full backup'
WITH NORECOVERY, STATS=10 --If only restoring the full, change to RECOVERY

--Restore the most recent diff backup
RESTORE DATABASE <mydb>
FROM DISK = 'Path to diff backup'
WITH RECOVERY, STATS=10

More info on RESTORE: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms186858.aspx

Sql-server – media family on device is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family

If you are attempting to restore newer database to older SQL version you can always simply manually create the database in the older SQL version and utilize the task - generate scripts and include the data.

Save to File --> Advanced--> Types of data to script --> Schema and data.

Also make sure to Script for Server Version.

This might be the only supported option if you're trying to go from newer SQL Server to older version.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Sql-server – How to restore multiple backups

Sql-server – media family on device is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family

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