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SQL 2008 snapshot replication error: The system cannot find the file specified. The step failed.

I'm trying to set up snapshot replication on SQL Server 2008 32-bit but am receiving an error on the agent stating The system cannot find the file specified. The step failed..

The system is on Windows 2003 R2 and I've ensured all Windows updates have been applied. I have disabled publishing and distribution on the server and then re-installed it without any change.

I am using the default folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\repldata and set the permissions so that everyone has full control over it to ensure security is not the issue. I have also shared the folder and tried installing distribution using \\SERVER_NAME\repldata but again no difference.

Replication has never been set up on this machine previously.

Zberteoc

Read this article and follow the steps exactly:

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/715550/SQL-Server-Replication-Step-by-Step

canuckconsulting

ASKER

I've set up replication on other machines successfully using but am getting the File not found error on this machine. Any insight into that would be greatly appreciated.

Zberteoc

What is the error exactly?

canuckconsulting

ASKER

The system cannot find the file specified. The step failed.

Zberteoc

What file?

canuckconsulting

ASKER

The file is not specified. Here are screen grabs of the snapshot agent and associated event:

Vitor Montalvão

If you already set another replication just verify if there's any replication file missing (snapshot.exe, distrib.exe, logread.exe, *.dll, ...). You may need to fix it manually (copy from another installation) or reinstall the files.

canuckconsulting

ASKER

Oh I see...I hadn't thought it was an executable issue.

This is a 32-bit installation while my other servers are 64-bit. Is there a way for me to re-install the replication feature from the installation media? I can not see any option to do this via the normal installation user interface.

Vitor Montalvão

Yes. Choose the repair option and check only the Replication feature so it won't touch the engine.

canuckconsulting

ASKER

Vitor I'm sorry for the very late reply.

I tried the repair option but there was no option to check on the replication option. When I did a full repair it was unable to update the SQL Engine without affecting the production databases so that was skipped. As a result nothing has changed.

An interesting development is that I opened a ticket with the MS Partners forum and received the attached advice which advised me to check the paths of agent_exe in the [msdb].[dbo].[syssubsystems] system table. Sure enough the paths given do not point to the correct locations. In fact the file Snapshot.exe is completely missing which I expect it the issue. Any thoughts on how I might get that installed?

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Vitor Montalvão

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canuckconsulting

ASKER

Perfect...thank you! The only other SQL 2008 server I had was 64-bit but that did not seem to be an issue. I copied the files across and everything is working great.