What does HRESULT 0xC8000214 (hrBadCheckpointSignature) mean?

 
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hrBadDbSignature hrCheckpointCorrupt

hrBadCheckpointSignature

How to read this HRESULT

hrBadCheckpointSignature means the checkpoint signature is incompatible with the log sequence selected for recovery.

The stored value is 0xC8000214 (negative JET error -532; -532). Current ESE documentation uses JET_errBadCheckpointSignature for the corresponding published JET condition.

The first useful distinction is that hrCheckpointCorrupt also covers a missing or unreadable checkpoint; this code isolates signature mismatch. Start by recording checkpoint header, log signature, base name, system path, generation, and provenance of copied files.

Objects and state involved

Diagnostic layercryptographic-style ESE identity signatures linking database, logs, checkpoint, and backup set
Relevant API surfacesoft recovery, hard recovery, database attachment, and backup verification
Code-specific conditionthe checkpoint signature is incompatible with the log sequence selected for recovery
Narrow corrective directionuse a checkpoint from the same set or allow supported recovery to rebuild state from a complete log sequence

ESE signatures identify lineage; they are not interchangeable with filenames or timestamps. A signature mismatch commonly indicates mixed files even when each file is individually readable.

What to collect first

  • Code-specific observation: record checkpoint header, log signature, base name, system path, generation, and provenance of copied files.

Controlled remediation

  1. Record it, 0xC8000214, the API name, the current phase, and all live context or file owners.
  2. Verify the condition by recording checkpoint header, log signature, base name, system path, generation, and provenance of copied files.
  3. Apply only the targeted fix: use a checkpoint from the same set or allow supported recovery to rebuild state from a complete log sequence.

Related codes

It specifically means that hrCheckpointCorrupt also covers a missing or unreadable checkpoint; this code isolates signature mismatch. Related values below can appear in the same workflow but require a different response:

hrBadLogSignaturea transaction log header signature does not match the expected log sequence
hrBadDbSignaturethe database signature does not match the backup or log set used for recovery
hrExistingLogFileHasBadSignaturea log already present in the target log path belongs to a different log sequence or has an unreadable signature

Actions that can make diagnosis worse

  • Do not choose files solely by matching names and dates.
  • Do not patch signatures or headers.

Technical references


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