How to view SQL Server mount point space without access to server

What does dir s do in CMD? How to get the SQL Server mount point size with dir /s Read more →

How to mount an ISO - Disk Image File

Question: I’ve received some ISO files with the contents of SQL Server Enterprise and need to open them and retrieve the contents. I don’t have a specific disk image tool. I’m on a Windows 2012 server . Are you able to offer any advice or assistance? Answer: Windows Server 2012 supports the facility to Mount an ISO file without installing any extra software. Previously you needed a disk image tool installed. Back in the good old days of SQL Server 2005 - the process required extraction first - read more on SQL server 2005 install with ISO images Now all... Read more →

Windows Server 2012 empty recycle bin

Question: I’d created a load of .BAK files onto an attached disk and requested a flat file backup of all files on the added drive. The aggregate size of the .BAK files was 10.2 TB but noticed during the flat file backup files being backed up from a folder called DRIVE_LETTER:\$RECYCLE.BIN. Why is this happening? Answer: I must admit I’ve been caught out with this one in the past , where I have requested a 20 TB temporary drive to be added and discovered 1.8 TB extra being backed via files I’d deleted and ended up in the hidden $RECYCLE.BIN... Read more →

How to troubleshoot Flush Cache error message in SQL Server Logs

Question: I’m getting a Flush Cache message in the SQL Server Logs. FlushCache: cleaned up 3606 bufs with 476 writes in 69033 ms (avoided 4 new dirty bufs) for db 7:0 What does it mean regarding sql server performance? Are there methods I should be using to troubleshoot this message Answer: The impact on SQL Server performance will depend on understanding the context . Checkpoint logging causes this message to appear in the SQL Server logs. Just to be specific, these messages only started appearing in the logs since 2012. Prior to 2012 you needed to turn on a trace... Read more →

SQL Server Fix : - The media family on device xxxxx.bak is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family. Msg 3241, Level 16, State 7, Line 1

I received an error message during a SQL Restore of a .BAK file. Msg 3241, Level 16, State 7, Line 1 The media family on device 'xxxx.bak' is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family. Some of the advice found on various blogs and forums is If backup is correct and one is trying to restore on lower version The file changed from binary mode to text mode during a file transfer In the RESTORE statement FILE=2 was specified – usually used for TRN and not FILE=1 used for BAK files None of these suggestions were related to... Read more →