media family on device is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family

Question

I am trying to restore a .BAK in SQL server but get the following error:

Msg 3241, Level 16, State 7, Line 1 The media family on device 'c:\glyn\JA.bak' is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family. Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally.

I have tried restoring using 2012, 2008 and even 2005 but nothing works, I have used the following query and through the Tasks >> Back up but nothing works, here's my SQL:

RESTORE DATABASE JA FROM DISK='c:\glyn\JA.bak'

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've read that the bak could be corrupt, it was sent to my by another developer on DVD who is working on the project.

Answer 1

I found this that says that your backup file is corrupted. Possibly transfered by FTP in text mode rather than binary.

And this blog that lists how someone else fixed the same problem.

Answer 2

Can you do a restore filelistonly and restore verifyonly ? If it gives you errors then your database backup is corrupted. Also, talk with the developer who gave you the backup - what version of sql server is this backup from ?