What do I do if the SQL safe backup or restore operation fails and returns this error: “0x80070008 (not enough storage)”?
CAUSE: This error indicates that SQL Server has run out of storage in its “MemToLeave” memory area. This memory area is set aside for all extended stored procedures, COM/OLE Automation objects and linked servers. The memory size is static and is set at the startup of SQL Server. Memory allocations by SQL Server larger than 8 KB are also made from the MemToLeave area. When performing a backup in SQL Server, SQL safe makes a call to create virtual device buffers. In SQL Server 2000, all of the buffers must be able to fit into one contiguous chunk of memory. If the MemToLeave area is heavily fragmented, SQL Server generates a “not enough storage” error due to a lack of contiguous memory. The probability of this issue occurring is greatly reduced in SQL Server 2005, which requires only that each individual buffer be in a contiguous chunk of memory. RESOLUTION: An updated version of the SQL Server virtual device interface that includes many enhancements to memory allocations is now availabl
