Unable to restore/attach a MDF file

Published by Jacob Martin on December 26, 2013

Microsoft SQL Server is enterprise software that helps to manage data through client/server relational database. SQL database file refers to a physical file that contains the data that SQL Server manages. MDF is the database file helps to store all the data that is related to SQL Server. This application stores each piece of important data in an MDF file. These files contain tables, user account information and stored procedures. The MDF file is attached to SQL server which means the server can easily add, edit or delete records. SQL Server problems are quite common scenario like during executing queries and other related problems.

I had been to such problem with my SQL Server, I did fresh installation. However then too I backed up my SQL database but I had only the MDF file and not the log file. Then I tried restoring and attaching options but nothing worked. I got the error saying “Cannot open backup device….. Device error or device off-line. See the SQL server error log for more details. RESTORE database is terminating abnormally”.

These situations occur due to MDF (Master Database File) corruption. This makes the database inaccessible which causes data situations.  MDF files gets corrupted or damaged due to following reasons:

• Due to improper shutdown accidentally
• While executing queries
• Changes that occurs in SQL account.
•  Server can’t find the requested database file
• The .mdf file is missing and needs to be restored.
• The process could not execute ‘sp_replcmds’ on server
• On the changes table was working but the .frm is locked.
• Corruption error of indexes, stored procedures, database integrity and triggers should be there.

The reason why this SQL Server shows such errors may occur due to MDF file may gets engaged to corruption which leads to data inaccessibility. As these MDF or Master database files are very sensitive database so it gets easily corrupted.  When users get stuck to such troublesome situation then a recent and healthy backup is the only situation to recover you database files back. But even if your backup files itself gets deleted. Then the only solution to overcome this situation is by the help of SQL MDF Recovery Tool to fix corrupt, deleted or lost MDF file and its components.  In situation where SQL database is not huge and complex, users can rebuild the database to handle the situation. It is the fastest solution for SQL recoveries. This recovery software helps to –

Repair Corrupt SQL Server Database – This SQL recovery application are designed to have the minimum Data loss due to corruption in SQL Server databases. It helps to scan the entire database for entries and correct the bit pattern for eliminating corrupt and brings the database to the consistent state.

Restores Objects of MDF and MDF files- The primary file containing database header and system table information, the corruption occurs due to logical fragmentation, bugs and database shrinkage, it makes the files to bring the database to inaccessible state.

Repairs all the Database Components- It recovers all the components of database, such as tables, views, indexes, Stored Procedures, Rules, User Defined Functions etc.

Allows Selective Recovery- It even allows selective recovery of database objects. By this functionality allows selecting objects that have to be recovered from the list and save them.

Steps to restore MDF file

Step 1: Stop the running MS SQL server. Perform the repair task on the copy of the corrupt database, click on the ‘OK’ button to continue.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Select database’ button and select the path of corrupt MDF file. You can also search your corrupt database file by using ‘Look in’ and ‘File Type’ button. click on the ‘Scan file‘ button to start the repairing process.

Step 3: The recoverable objects of database are listed in a tree view on the left side of the window. You can see the preview by clicking on the object.

Step 4: You can also search for a particular object by using ‘Find item’ option. Write the object name or a part of the object name in the given text box, check on ‘Match case‘ or ‘Match whole word‘ and then click find next button.

Step 5: Click on the ‘Start Repair’ icon. A dialog box will appear fill the SQL server instance name. To save the repaired file in the desired location click on the brows button and give the path, else the repaired file will be saved in the ‘Default SQL Location’. Click on the ‘OK’ button.

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