Microsoft KB Archive/940379

= FIX: Error message when you use the UNLOAD and REWIND options to back up a database to a tape device in SQL Server 2005: &quot;Operation on device '' exceeded retry count&quot; =

Article ID: 940379

Article Last Modified on 8/20/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise X64 Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard X64 Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition for Itanium-based Systems
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition

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Bug #: 50001436 (SQL Hotfix)



Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2005 fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2005 fix release.



SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2), you use the UNLOAD and REWIND options to back up a database to a tape device. However, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Operation on device 'TAPE0(<\\.\Tape0>)' exceeded retry count.



RESOLUTION
The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 3. For more information about how to obtain this cumulative update package for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

939537 Cumulative update package 3 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2

Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2005 fix release. Microsoft recommends that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

937137 The SQL Server 2005 builds that were released after SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 was released

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 hotfixes are created for specific SQL Server service packs. You must apply a SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 hotfix to an installation of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2. By default, any hotfix that is provided in a SQL Server service pack is included in the next SQL Server service pack.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, back up the database to disk. Then, use a file-level backup program to back up the backup file from the disk to the tape device. For example, you use the Veritas Backup Exec program to back up the database backup file.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about what files are changed, and for information about any prerequisites to apply the cumulative update package that contains the hotfix that is described in this Microsoft Knowledge Base article, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

939537 Cumulative update package 3 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2

