SQL Server error 3254 "The volume on device <backup_path> is empty" - SQL Storage Compress

You may encounter the following error when creating a compressed database from an encrypted SQL HyperBac backup (*.hbe):

Msg 3254, Level 16, State 1, Line 1

The volume on device <backup_path> is empty

This error arises if the key file used to encrypt the SQL HyperBac backup is not available on the server you are restoring to, so the file cannot be decrypted.

Resolving this error

Ensure the key file used to encrypt the SQL HyperBac backup is stored in the keys directory on the server you are restoring to. By default, this is %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Red Gate\HyperBac\keys on 64-bit machines and %ProgramFiles%\Red Gate\HyperBac\keys on 32-bit machines.

You can check which directory the key files should be stored in from the HyperBac Configuration Manager:

1. From the system tray, double-click the HyperBac Configuration Manager icon to open the HyperBac Configuration Manager. Do not stop the HyperBac Control Service.
2. Select the Advanced tab.
3. The Encryption Key Path is displayed under Path Values.

   

Note: if you created the backup on a different server, you should copy the key file used to create the backup to the keys folder on the server on which you are running the RESTORE command. See Working with key files for encrypted data for more information.

For information on changing the location of the keys directory, see Moving the HyperBac index, key and log files.