SQL server 2008 backup error - Operating system error 5(failed to retrieve text for this error. Reason: 15105)

Question

Can anyone help me, I'm trying to backup a database located on localhost\SQLEXPRESS but i keep getting the following error:

Backup failed for Server 'localhost\SqlExpress'.  (Microsoft.SqlServer.SmoExtended)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0+((Katmai_PCU_Main).090329-1045+)&EvtSrc=Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.ExceptionTemplates.FailedOperationExceptionText&EvtID=Backup+Server&LinkId=20476


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: Cannot open backup device 'C:\backup.bak'. Operating system error 5(failed to retrieve text for this error. Reason: 15105). (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0+((Katmai_PCU_Main).090329-1045+)&LinkId=20476

Can anyone explain what I'm doing wrong here ??

thanks

On Windows 7/2008 saving files to the root of C is not allowed, so if you are running one of these two OS's then this makes sense. — Peter, Jul 18 '11 at 18:56
i had the issue and it was caused by the file already existing. I needed to add code to handle that - and maybe looking for an option in the Backup object (I'm using c# to run the backup in my application) — da Bich, Mar 16 '15 at 02:40
The earlier comment by Peter worked for me. Reading the backup file from C:\Users\ caused the error whereas moving it to another drive solved the problem. — snowmonkey, Apr 24 '15 at 14:15

score 89 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 24 '15 at 09:14

89

It looks like the SQL Server doesn't have permission to access file C:\backup.bak. I would check the permissions of the account that is assigned to the SQL Server service account.

As part of the solution, you may want to save your backup files to somewhere other that the root of the C: drive. That might be one reason why you are having permission problems.

edited Nov 24 '15 at 09:14

Mitch Wheat

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answered Mar 07 '10 at 23:19

Paul Keister

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score 45 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 06 '22 at 21:20

45

I've faced this error when there was not enough free space to create a backup.

edited Jan 06 '22 at 21:20

Jim Simson

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answered Oct 31 '11 at 21:54

The Smallest

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I had the exact same problem. A simple and easy error message about not having enough disc space would have helped a lot. thanks microsoft – Stefan Arn Sep 27 '12 at 14:18
I also got this error and solved it with extending the servers disk space. – George Norberg Dec 04 '14 at 08:36
Yepp, after reading this answer I checked my drive only to be shocked there was a measly 300MB space left :D Removing old obsolete backups freed up enough. – gabore Dec 03 '15 at 12:50
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save my hour! Thanks – HATCHA May 28 '16 at 11:11
You are welcome. Years go, but we still see this 'useful message'. – The Smallest May 31 '16 at 03:29

score 15 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 07 '10 at 23:18

15

Assuming that the *.bak file is on the same machine as the SQL Express instance it might be a permissions issue.

If you download procmon http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx you can filter on that file path, look for ACCESS_DENIED errors and if any are there you can see the account name that's failing get to access.

answered Mar 07 '10 at 23:18

Martin Smith

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I had a completely different problem (not enough disk space) manifesting itself under the same error number - procmon pointed me in the right direction - definately one to remember for the future. Thanks Martin. – Godders Mar 23 '11 at 15:09
@Martin: Would it be possible to know how you can find out the error message using ProcMon? – Baahubali Jun 19 '19 at 03:21

score 10 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 05 '12 at 11:39

10

I got this error too.

The problem turned out to be simply that I had to manually create the full directory structure for the file locations of the MDF & LDF files.

Shame on SQL-Server for not properly reporting the missing directory!

answered Mar 05 '12 at 11:39

Coder_Dan

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score 6 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 11 '12 at 08:52

I've got the same error. I have been trying to fixing this by setting higher permission to account running SQL Client service, however it didnt help. The problem was that I run MS Sql Management studio just within my account. So, next time... assure that you are running it as Run as Administrator, if using Win7 with UAC enabled.

score 3 · Answer 6 · answered Apr 10 '12 at 10:27

I had this error. Nothing worked for me until I opened the SQLServer log file in the "MSSQL10_50" Log folder. That clearly stated which file could not be overwritten. It turned out that the .mdf file was being written into the "MSSQL10" data folder. I made sure that folder had the same SQLServer user permissions as the "MSSQL10_50" equivalent folder. Then it all worked.

The issue here is that the error detail is logged but not reported, so check the logs.

score 3 · Answer 7 · answered Jul 18 '11 at 07:26

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Yes, it is security issue. Check folder permissions and service account under which SQL server 2008 starts.

answered Jul 18 '11 at 07:26

Andrii Starikov

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SQL server 2008 backup error - Operating system error 5(failed to retrieve text for this error. Reason: 15105)

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