Sql-server – Restoring Database when system can’t find filepath specified

backuprestoresql server

I have a database backup file stored in a hard drive V: named someFile.bak. The file path is simply V:\someFile.bak. I have been trying to load this into SQL Server Management Studio via the command

RESTORE DATABASE someDatabase
FROM DISK = 'V:\someFile.bak'

but I keep getting the error:

Msg 3201, Level 16, State 2, Line 4
Cannot open backup device 'V:\someFile.bak'. Operating system error 3(The system cannot find the path specified.).
Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 4
RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally.

This suggests to me that SSMS is having issues finding the file path, despite it being specified correctly. Does this have anything to do with the fact that this is from a hard drive rather than from the internal drive (like C:)? If so, is there a better way to restore a database from the hard drive? I am asking this because someFile.bak is too large to store on my internal drive.

Best Answer

The file path is simply V:\someFile.bak

V: relative to WHAT machine?

I have been trying to load this into SQL Server Management Studio via the command

No, you have not. You have instructed SSMS to send this command to the server, which will execute it ON THE SERVER.

At no point is SSMS loading anything.

The typical mistake here would be that you have a V: drive attached to your local machine and then think that the server will find the file under V: - it will not. The file must be reachable for the SERVER process, not you.

And SSMS only acts as a glorified text editor in this case, sending your command to the database server.

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