sqb2mtf - error while converting

martin

Hi.

When converting a backup file to the Tape format using the sqb2mtf tool, we get an error after progressing a bit past 40%

The error is

Error converting file: Access violation at address 00431E5F in module 'sqb2mtf.exe'. Read of address 7FDCCDF1

An attempted restore of this file will halt at the 1/2 way point, and the restore shows all signs of not doing anything, and no error messages are returned. (We let it continue for close to 24 hours before we killed it). Restarting the SQL Backup Agent service or rebooting the server did not solve this.

The bakup file is encrypted, but all other settings were left as default.

I am assuming that the file is corrupted, and we will never see the data again, but... are there any other ideas on what to do from here?

Regards,
Martin

petey

A way to verify the integrity of the backups where ever you copy it to would be good.

If you are using SQL Server 2005, you can do this on the cheap. Say you backup to server A. This is then moved to server B as an offsite store.

First, you need to create the backups using the CHECKSUM option. Then on server B, you run sqb2mtf (free) to convert the SQL Backup file to a native backup file. Then use SQL Server 2005 Express (free) to verify the file. For verifications, SQL Server 2005 Express does not impose the 4 GB size limit, so you can very well verify a 250 GB backup. In this way, you are assured that the backup file is usable.