Too Many Backup Devices Specified

Too many backup devices specified for backup or restore; only 64 are allowed.

The error message: “Too many backup devices specified for backup or restore; only 64 are allowed” is somewhat common in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and is directly related to restoring a database backup created in another SQL server.

When you’re trying to restore a backup into SQL Server that spans across multiple backup devices or created with SQL Server 2000 with Service Pack 3 version 2000.80.869.0 or later and you’re trying to restore it to a SQL Server 2000 with Service Pack 3 version earlier than 2000.80.869.0.

This problem has been documented by Microsoft as bug #470782 and is marked as solved by the following procedure: Download hotfix KB833710 from Microsoft’s website located at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833710 and install it. Due to the nature of the update, a restart may be required.

After installing the hotfix (and restarting if required), you should be able to restore your backup without any problems.

Another way and probably the most recommended one would be to update your SQL server, since that error shows only on SQL Server version 2000 (all editions) which is very old and support for it has been deprecated in most software products.