Database Maintenance struggles

[Guest_imported]

I'm running sql 2000 on a compaq proliant 8000 (8-processors, 4gb of RAM). I've been working with a large database (50+ GB in size) for about a month now. I recently set up some database maintance utilities, but they will not run properly. Specifically, I tried manually running the transaction log backup, but it fails after about 1.5 hours of running. The server's performance is below my expectations, and I have to believe that performing these utilities will improve it's effeciency. Help please...

 

[fluteplr]

I don't suppose you could tell us what error message the backup failed with?

 

[tlbroadbent]

Questions:
[ol][li]How big is the transaction log?
[li]When did you last do a full back?
[li]Are you backing up to tape or disk? Backing up on same server? On same drive as SQL data?
[li]Have you attempted a differential backup?[/ol] Terry

http://members.home.net/tlbroadbent/prog.htm

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Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first, and the lesson afterward.

 

[Guest_imported]

Thanks for your replies...

Looking at the SQL event log, it actually states that the transaction log did complete succesfully. However, after it errors, I have checked the Applications log within Win2K Adv. Svr. Event Viewer. There is a message from SQL in there that says it could not write the completion message due to a 'device failure'. I don't think the log is full, but I cleared it and will attempt another backup soon.

I am attmepting to back up the transaction logs to directory within the SQL server. When viewing the file through windows explorer, the data/time stamp appears to show that the file is created at the time I run the backup. But still the "Last Run" withing the Job within the SQL Agent says "Failed". ?