FIX: Tape Backup May Cause Error 3201 Device Offline

ID: Q167331

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SQL Server version 6.5

BUG #: 16349

SYMPTOMS

When backing up a database to a tape drive, error 3201 may occur:

Msg 3201, Level 16, State 1
Can't open dump device '\\.\tape0', device error or device off line.
Please consult the SQL Server error log for more details.

Often, there will not be an accompanying error message in the errorlog, even though the message indicates that there should be one. This error may be caused if the tape block size of the tape drive is larger than the backup buffer size in SQL Server's sp_configure.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use sp_configure to modify backup buffer size to a value that is equal to or greater than the tape drive's block size.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft SQL Server version 6.5. This problem has been corrected in U.S. Service Pack 3 for Microsoft SQL Server version 6.5. For more information, contact your primary support provider.


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbother kbusage SSrvErr_Log SSrvGen kbbug6.50 
Version           : 6.5
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999