Informix Error -176

Reasons / Common Causes

-176 completes the generic-wrapper trio with -173 and -174, this time for the physical restore process. Same principle applies: this code itself is deliberately generic, and the accompanying SQL API error text carries the actual cause.

1. Corrupted or incomplete archive media being restored from — a damaged tape, a truncated archive file, or otherwise unreadable source data.
2. Archive read errors during the restore, whether from physical media or a remote source.
3. Insufficient space at the restore target for the data being restored.
4. Mismatched configuration between the archived system and the restore target — a different page size or chunk layout that the restore process can't reconcile.
5. An interrupted restore — a crash, or a network drop for a remote archive source — partway through what can be a long-running process.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Check the accompanying SQL API error text first, exactly as with -173/-174 — this generic code wraps a more specific underlying error.
2. Verify the archive media or source is intact and readable before attempting the restore, if media integrity is in question.
3. Check restore target space and configuration compatibility against what the archive requires.
4. Check network connectivity if restoring from a remote source.
5. Determine whether an interrupted restore can be resumed or must restart from the beginning, depending on the specific utility and version in use.
6. Treat any restore failure with appropriate urgency. Restores typically happen as part of already-serious recovery situations (following conditions like -105, -135, -155, or -163) — don't leave a system in a partially restored state without prompt follow-up once the cause is identified and addressed.

Examples

Checking the associated error text first

-- As with -173/-174, capture and read the accompanying SQL API
-- error text for the specific cause behind the generic -176 message

Verifying archive integrity before restoring

-- Confirm the archive source is readable and complete before
-- starting a restore, rather than discovering a media problem
-- partway through a long-running operation

Diagnostic Checks

1. Capture and review the accompanying SQL API error text.
2. Verify archive media/source integrity independently, if possible, before or after a failed restore attempt.
3. Check restore target space and configuration against the archive's requirements.
4. Check network connectivity if restoring from a remote source.

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -174 — "ISAM error: An error has occurred during archive back up." The backup-side sibling of the same generic-wrapper pattern.
• -173 — "ISAM error: An error has occurred during logical log back up." The other backup-side sibling in this same family.

Given that a restore is usually part of an already-urgent recovery effort, capture the accompanying SQL API error text quickly and address the specific cause without delay.