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

Answer 1

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.