While working on SQL servers, the most pathetic situation arises when we encounter errors. These errors hinder the normal working of SQL server and sometimes a situation arises when it may lead to data loss. In this post, I’m illustrating one such error i.e. SQL Server Error 3013.
Overview
The overwhelming explanation for this error is the failure of the database to read the filemark present in the backup device or unavailability of the filemark itself. Before continuing further, let us comprehend what filemark really is.
A filemark is an element in a backup device that does not contain user data. With a specific end goal to organize and unify the storage patterns, the filemarks separate the partition in smaller segments. Their main task is to split data from all the individual files that are present on the backup volume.
Other Probable Reasons
There are many possible reasons for the occurrence of this error. While I have told above about the filemarks, there are some other reasons too behind this error.
- A media failure has been encountered by the storage device containing backup.
- While the execution of backup operation, the ‘write failure’ may have occurred.
- Attempt to unauthorized access for viewing the network drive has been occurred.
- Attempt for executing backup of transaction logs when the database is in Recovery Pending or SUSPECT mode.
Dependency on SQL Server versions and OS
The errors which occur on SQL server are dependent on various versions of SQL server and operating system which i am describing below:
- SQL Server 7.0: In this version, an error strikes when a clustered index is created in each file group.
- SQL Server 2000: This error occurs in connection to another database. There are two possible circumstances under which the error in this version occurs: First, database is lesser than 2 GB in size and Second, the other database is having size more than the size of existing database.
- SQL Server 2005: In this version, the error occurs when an admin tries to backup or restore both data files as well as log files simultaneously.
Troubleshooting the SQL Server Error 3013
As the error is version and OS specific, its solutions are also based on the same. Follow the below mentioned solutions to troubleshoot or fix the SQL Server Error 3013.
Method 1: Verify the security permissions of the user. For doing so,
- Locate the backup folder where you have stored the .BAK file.
- Right click on the backup file and select Properties.
- Click on Security in the menu bar.
- Check the Deny permission for the Authenticated users.
- Click on Edit and uncheck the deny. Now, Click OK to proceed.
Method 2: This error message can be removed by using the following command. It will help deleting data from the backup device for allowing SQL Server program to implement a new backup operation.
“BACKUP DATABASE mydatabase TO DISK=’C: \MyDatabase.bak’ with FORMAT”
Method 3: You can change the logical name of the database. Insert a white space at the end of new file name. The command to implement this change is as:
Method 4: Sometimes partial restoration is not able to fix the problem.The error can be fixed by performing full backup restoration. Uninstalling the application and then reinstalling it might help in removing the existing error. An alternate resolution is that make sure the account under which the MS SQL Server service starts is the member of “Domain User Group” provided with write access for the Windows server.
Final Verdict
In the article, I have illustrated all about the SQL Server Error 3013, causes for its occurrence and all the possible workarounds to fix it. But, there may be a situation when none of the above explained methods are able to resolve this error. In that scenario, you’ll have to go for a third-party SQL Database Recovery Tool to fix this SQL Server Error 3013.
