---
title: "How to restore SQL Server 2000 backup to SQL Server 2008"  
description: "How to restore SQL Server 2000 backup to SQL Server 2008"  
author: "Anonymous User"  
published: 2015-09-09  
updated: 2015-09-09  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/33451/how-to-restore-sql-server-2000-backup-to-sql-server-2008  
category: "mssql server"  
tags: ["database", "mssql server"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# How to restore SQL Server 2000 backup to SQL Server 2008

I have a [backup file](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/390/how-to-create-mysql-database-backup-file-using-php) taken from a [SQL Server](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12999/what-is-table-valued-function-in-sql-server) 2000 [database](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12226/use-of-database-in-sencha-extjs-and-insert-record-from-user-form-using-ajax) and I'm [trying](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/93698/6-mistakes-couples-are-trying-to-save-money) to [restore](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/1480/ways-to-restore-ecosystems-and-heal-the-planet) it to a 2008 database. However, I'm getting this error:

```
An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. (Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo) The media family on device 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Backup\customers.bak' is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family. RESTORE HEADERONLY is terminating abnormally. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 3241)
```

I am the one who originally took the backup ([years ago](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81912/humans-lived-in-america-more-than-30000-years-ago)). It was a hosted SQL Server. If I remember correctly, I got the backup using some sort of [online](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/13083/benefits-of-students-who-can-get-online-assignment) "[control](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/197/asp-dot-net-repeater-control) panel"

## Replies

### Reply by Anonymous User

SQL 2000 SP4 database can be upgraded on-the-fly to SQL 2008 (including restore-upgrade). See [Version and Edition Upgrades](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143393.aspx). If you get that message most likely the media is corrupted.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/33451/how-to-restore-sql-server-2000-backup-to-sql-server-2008

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