Dropping a Dump Device

There are two ways to drop a dump device using SQL Enterprise Manager: from the Database Backup/Restore dialog box while you manage backup and restoration, or directly from the Server Manager window.

When you drop a dump device, all data that has been backed up to that device is also dropped.

    To drop a dump device from the Server Manager window

1. In the Server Manager window, select a server, and then open its Dump Devices folder.
2. Click the right mouse button on a dump device, and then from the drop-down menu that appears, choose Delete.

   A confirmation box appears.

3. To confirm deletion, choose Yes.

   The dump device is dropped.

4. Delete the device's operating system file.

   You must delete the device's filename from the directory where it is located. Use File Manager or the operating-system del command. It is not necessary to shut down and restart SQL Server.

    To drop a dump device from the Database Backup/Restore dialog box

1. From the Server Manager window, select a server, and then from the Tools menu, choose Backup/Restore.

   The Database Backup/Restore dialog box appears.

2. From the Dump Devices list, select a device, and then choose the Edit button.

   The Edit Dump Device dialog box appears.

3. Choose the Delete button.

   A confirmation box appears.

4. To confirm deletion, choose Yes.
5. Delete the device's operating system file.

You can also drop a dump device by using the sp_dropdevice stored procedure. For information, see the Microsoft SQL Server Transact-SQL Reference.

Dropping a device removes the device from the sysdevices table.