Can't Attach a Deleted Database

We accidentally deleted a development database from our SQL2K server. We don't have a valid backup (never made one because it was in development). I was able to recover the .mdf and .ldf files but SQL won't allow us to attach them (invalid files or page fault data). Everything seems to indicate that this can't be done but I'm hoping somebody out there has the solution. Thanks, Roni.Give the mdf file a try without the ldf file. But if you
don't have a backup and your mdf/ldf files are both
damaged, you are hosed.
I've heard there are so-called 'recovery experts' out
there. But I've never used them.
If there is a chance they'll come back asking for backups
and unless they've given you okay to not have any backups,
make regular backups regardless.
Linchi
>--Original Message--
>We accidentally deleted a development database from our
SQL2K server. We don't have a valid backup (never made
one because it was in development). I was able to recover
the .mdf and .ldf files but SQL won't allow us to attach
them (invalid files or page fault data). Everything seems
to indicate that this can't be done but I'm hoping
somebody out there has the solution. Thanks, Roni.
>.
>|||Hi Roni,
Unfortunately, there is no recommended method of recovering the database if
there was no backup. It seems that you recovered the MDF/LDF files and
tried to attach the database. I would like to know how you attached the
database? Could you tell me the detailed error message?
Please make ensure that the specified MDF file is correct. In the case, if
the MDF file is incorrect, it is hard to recover the database.
For additional information regarding attaching database via Enterprise
Manager, please refer to the article on the SQL Server Books Online.
Topic: "How to attach and detach a database (Enterprise Manager)"
In Query Analyzer, please try to use sp_attach_db stored procedure to
attach database. Do any error messages occur? If so please provide the
detailed error message.
If we still fail to attach the database, please try to use
sp_attach_single_db stored procedure. Do any error messages occur? If so,
please provide the detailed error message.
For addition information regarding these stored procedure, please refer to
the following articles on SQL Server Books Online.
Topic: "sp_attach_single_file_db"
Topic: "sp_attach_db"
Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,
Michael Shao
Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.|||I want to thank all of you, who took time to respond to this message. Shortly after I posted my inquiry, management authorized the $250 for a call to Product Support. We were unable to get the database back from the .mdf and .ldf files using any of the techniques, which were submitted. Having consulted with the highest levels of support, the consensus was that the file headers were corrupt (perhaps as part of the simple act of deletion), and were, therefore, unusable.
There was some talk about third-party recovery services, but it just appeared to be costly, require a lot of time and still may not work. We decided to go back to a 5-week old, valid backup and start work from there.
BTW, because MS wasn't able to fix the problem, I will be recieving a refund on the $250 charge.
Again, thank you all for your time and consideration.
Roni Hourihane|||Hi Roni,
Thanks for your feedback. It lets us know the status of this issue. Please
feel free to post in the group if you would like further assistance.
Thanks for using MSDN newsgroup again.
Regards,
Michael Shao
Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.sql