Backup plan cannot find the path specified

Hello:
In continuing with a posting that I made yesterday here on the Newsgroups, I
have today reviewed the SQL Error Log for a database maintenance plan that I
have that backups my databases to an external hard drive.
The backup to this external hard drive is failing for all of the databases!
The error in the log report says "The system cannot find the path specified".
The drive letter of the hard drive is Q and, therefore, the path to the
backup device (external hard drive) is "Q:".
I tested this a few weeks ago and it worked. But, when we put the plan into
production to run overnight, it failed.
Should I UNC the pathing to the external hard drive? Is there any other
reason as to why it would not be able to find the hard drive?
Thanks!
childofthe1980s
Hi
"childofthe1980s" wrote:

> Hello:
> In continuing with a posting that I made yesterday here on the Newsgroups, I
> have today reviewed the SQL Error Log for a database maintenance plan that I
> have that backups my databases to an external hard drive.
> The backup to this external hard drive is failing for all of the databases!
> The error in the log report says "The system cannot find the path specified".
> The drive letter of the hard drive is Q and, therefore, the path to the
> backup device (external hard drive) is "Q:".
> I tested this a few weeks ago and it worked. But, when we put the plan into
> production to run overnight, it failed.
> Should I UNC the pathing to the external hard drive? Is there any other
> reason as to why it would not be able to find the hard drive?
> Thanks!
> childofthe1980s
Is this external drive a USB disc? If so can you see it when logged in as
the the service account?
Does a step with that calls xp_fixeddrives return the drive information?
John