FIX: Scheduled Backups May Hang w/ Unexpired Tapes

ID: Q117515

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2x

BUG# NT: 9463 (4.20)

SYMPTOMS

If a scheduled backup attempts to overwrite a tape and the tape has a media retention period on it that has not expired, the backup may hang. The backup cannot be killed, and SQL Monitor cannot be stopped. SQL Server must be restarted to get rid of the hung backup process.

CAUSE

SQL Monitor is not properly handling the tape expiration message from SQL Server.

WORKAROUND

If it is not critical to use expiration dates on the tapes, use sp_configure to change the media retention period to zero. Otherwise, ensure that when a dump is scheduled with the INIT option, the expiration date has expired.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 4.2 for Windows NT. This problem was corrected in SQL Server version 4.21. For more information, please contact your primary support provider.

Additional query words: sqlmontr.exe freeze dump Windows NT


Keywords          : kbtool SSrvAdmin kbbug4.20 kbfix4.21 
Version           : 4.2 4.21
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: March 19, 1999