Any Database Administrator (DBA) knows that security comes first. Thanks to responsible engineers, the database always works without failure. Also, there is the latest backup on the shelf, with which you can restore data in case of problems.
But, if something suddenly happens, and there is no backup, there is a chance to get back on track, a last line of defense. A competent administrator will always find a probability to avoid liability and restore data even without a backup.
We must say right away that it will not be easy! The administration of complex databases is an art. It would be best if you considered lots of nuances for the database to work again without errors. Indeed, Microsoft suggests that you familiarize yourself with the multi-page guide for administering Microsoft SQL Server.
You must read everything thoughtfully— it takes a week or two—and, perhaps, you will be able to find a solution to make the database work again. If there is no time to wait, the reading of the guide is not worth that time. Everyone will swear, and the company will suffer losses! So, try Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server https://sql.recoverytoolbox.com/.
What Could Possibly Happen?
Many reasons can lead to database corruption, ranging from hard disk problems to software errors. For example, viruses. Have you encountered ransomware before? When a particular virus blocks the work, this malware encrypts the hard drive and demands money to unlock it.
The problem is quite common. Such viruses, among other things, can encrypt databases. Maybe it is better to pay? Moreover, the “buyback” price is likely to be much less than the cost of the information in the database.
We advise you never to negotiate with terrorists. The issue will only get worse. The point is that Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server can help in this case, even if it is not an antivirus program.
The purpose of such ransomware viruses is to encrypt the headers or maybe the beginning of the files, nothing more. It is physically impossible to encrypt the entire database quickly, which makes it possible to recover data using Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server.
Of course, the program cannot decrypt the unknown encryption algorithm. However, it can analyze existing unencrypted fragments of MDF and NDF database files and re-create all the connections between them.
Is it possible in your case? Everything is effortless to check with the demo version of Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server, and it is entirely free.
Trying Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server
For this very purpose, the program was created to solve any—or almost any—problems with the Microsoft SQL Server database, any existing version starting from the old version 6.5. If the problem is not related to ransomware, then researching, examining the logs, and finding a solution may take some time.
Using Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server allows you to skip this step and start recovery immediately. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to restore the database. However, the program will enable you to evaluate whether restoration is possible, and this step does not require any registration or payment.
Restoring the database in the usual way—studying the logs + recovery scripts—requires a highly qualified engineer, and this method is not suitable for everyone. If an inexperienced administrator has taken over the restoration of the database, there is a significant risk that the database will be completely damaged due to his inept actions, and there will be nothing to restore.
Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server works in a fully automatic mode, does not change the original data, and cannot spoil the information that is still left. So, the program works like this:
- Download Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server from the page: https://sql.recoverytoolbox.com/.
- Install and run the program.
- Select the damaged *.mdf
- Start the file analysis.
- View the results of database processing.
- Select the method of saving the recovered data, which can be done in two ways:
- Save the data to an existing SQL Server database;
- Save a set of SQL scripts on a local disk as separate files.
- Select the tables and custom objects that you want to restore.
- Start saving.
A preview of the recovered data costs nothing. This option works without registration of the Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server. However, if the database analysis results look decent and all objects are present there, they can be retrieved from the damaged database.
The program must be registered to actually recover the database. Registration removes all limitations of the demo version. At the same time, there is no need to download another version of the program. Just go to the payment page, place an order, and receive a registration key by e-mail. After registration of the Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server, all restrictions will be removed.
Who Can Repair a Damaged Database?
Due to the features of working with substantial database files, the developer does not provide an online version of the program. Because there is no online version, all operations with damaged *.mdf files are performed exclusively on the local computer.
In addition to the fact that you don’t need to upload vast amounts of data to a remote server, this also guarantees security because data processing on a local computer assumes no one will gain access to confidential information.
By the way, it is highly advisable to choose a more powerful computer to install Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server. Otherwise, the restoration of a damaged database may take an awfully long time. The program can be installed on any version of Windows, but this is only about Windows.
Other operating systems are not supported. At the same time, the Microsoft SQL Server version can also be any version because the required recovery algorithm is activated during operation.
There is nothing complicated here. Database recovery can be performed by any user regardless of his qualifications; the sequence of actions is straightforward. If I had a choice, I would prefer to restore the database from a backup since data recovery services—even the most efficient ones—can’t guarantee 100% of the result, and everything is strongly tied to the state of the original files.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that Microsoft SQL Server is an extraordinarily complex data storage system. It would be best if you did not think that its administration can be simplified by reduced use of third-party utilities and a straightforward algorithm.
I would advise every DBA to focus on measures that can prevent a potential problem. First, this is a backup, one more backup, and another copy, but in a different location. Experienced users advise dumping the database every evening with a simple script added to the Windows task scheduler.
Well, the “cold copy” should be discarded weekly. It is best to write the backup directly to another hard drive—or removable media. In principle, everything is straightforward. To protect against a ransomware virus, you need to install an antivirus—if it is not installed yet.
It is best to use RAID to prevent hard disk failures from damaging the database. Installing an antivirus is the most important thing to do. During the administration of Microsoft SQL Server, other issues will be revealed that cannot be solved with Recovery Toolbox for SQL Server.
Therefore, I would not advise using this program as a magic wand or something like an insurance policy. The database administrator must have the appropriate skills to resolve the issue on his own.
Besides, the best thing is to prevent such situations in principle. A good IT administrator gets paid not for running and trying to solve a problem but for sitting quietly and being prepared, which means that no issues are observed, and all systems are optimally tuned.
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