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SQL Server database recovery

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callkalpa
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-13 : 07:59:22

I had a computer with Windows XP and SQL Server. Due to an error in Windows I had to format the C partition and reinstall Windows XP. Before format I backed up the whole C drive. Now I want to recover my database. But I don't know where the database file is in the backup.

So what should I do to recover my database ?

I have no knowledge on SQL Server. The only thing I know is the database which I want to recover is in SQL Server. I don't even know the version of SQL Server.

Please help me.
Urgent .........

http://kalpapathum.blogspot.com

Transact Charlie
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

3451 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-13 : 08:34:54

I'm assuming you didn't make an actual backup in sql server (made a .bak file)

Do a search on your backup (of C drive) for::

*.mdf and *.ldf

These should be the database and associated transaction log. You'll need these to continue.

Also -- you said you lost your C partition. Does that mean you have other partitions on the drive? if so your database could be on those partitions. Do a seach on those as well.

your database files will most likely be called

<databaseName>.mdf and <databasename>.ldf

Charlie
===============================================================
Msg 3903, Level 16, State 1, Line 1736
The ROLLBACK TRANSACTION request has no corresponding BEGIN TRANSACTION

callkalpa
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-13 : 08:37:21

OK. I'm out of reach the machine right now. What if I have those files. How can I recover the database ?

http://kalpapathum.blogspot.com

Transact Charlie
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

3451 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-13 : 08:55:57

Look -- this might not be an easy process. Depending on a lot of factors that you haven't told us (whether SQL server managed to stop successfully before you formatted C (or if you had a STOP error).

If you don't have an actual backup (a .bak file for instance) -- which I'm assuming you don't have then reattaching an mdf / ldf pair may not be a walk in the park.

There are a lot of posts on this (many people have said "how to I reattach this mdf file for instance).

It would be a lot better for you if you can come back to this when you.

1) Have the files in question.
2) Are at your computer.

Some of the experts here will be able to help you further, with better information than I -- I've just given you a start. There are a lot of experienced DBA's on here (and I'm not one of them).

Charlie
===============================================================
Msg 3903, Level 16, State 1, Line 1736
The ROLLBACK TRANSACTION request has no corresponding BEGIN TRANSACTION

sodeep
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

7174 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-13 : 10:24:26

Was SQL Server shut down properly? what about binaries for SQL Server which is on C drive? Please try to attach database with sp_attach_db after you find mdf and ldf file.

callkalpa
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-14 : 11:35:50

Thanks, I'll try and let you know.

http://kalpapathum.blogspot.com

callkalpa
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-15 : 04:48:55

Problem solved.
Thanks for you all.

http://kalpapathum.blogspot.com

sodeep
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

7174 Posts

Posted - 2008-11-15 : 07:21:31

Glad it worked out!!!