The trouble most of the
SQL Server administrators face
Though
not frequently, there are times when MS SQL Database Administrators face the
problem of damaged SQL database (MDF) file. Well, I was no different and faced
a similar situation few days back. It was a setback for my overall work flow, and I had to come up
with a solution as soon as possible, which was nothing but to repair the
damaged MDF file.
The
business data inaccessibility worried me, and I was perplexed as what to do,
though it was not the first time I had faced such a circumstance. My experiences
stopped me from going for the prolonged and unclear manual methods or the tools
that boasted of repairing SQL database file easily and efficiently. However, those
failed in real.
The SQL Repair Software
I used
In
search of a viable solution, I talked to one of my old SQL Expert peers who suggested me of using Stellar Phoenix SQL Database Repair,
a SQL database repair software by Stellar Data Recovery. Not certain about the
results, I tried it and the product was a great help as
it successfully repaired the damaged SQL files.
First, the System
Requirements
I
was astonished to know that the product needed minimal system requirements
like:
·
Operating
system: Windows
Server 2012, 2008 or 2003 Or Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP
·
Processor:
Pentium class
·
Hard
Disk space: 50 MB
·
RAM:
1 GB minimum
· MS
SQL Server: MS SQL Server 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008
R2, 2008, 2008 (64 bit), 2008 Express, 2005, 2005 (64 bit), 2005 Express,
Server 2000, 2000 (64 bit), 7.0 or a mixed format
Next, its Installation
and launch
Installing
Stellar Phoenix SQL Database Repair
software is easy after purchase. Simply double-click
its EXE file. The ‘Setup’ dialog displays. A few clicks on
a series of tabs complete the installation of the software. To run the
software, double-click on its icon and the main interface of the software emanates
up to start the ‘SQL database file repair’ process.
Software User Interface
In
one word, I would say, the software is user-friendly!
To
show, I have provided a screenshot of its main interface below. Have a look at
it!
Description: It
clearly states the main function of the software and describes what all you
need to do to repair SQL database. Also, has a pop up stating to stop SQL
Server and copy the database to another location. Restart the server and repair
the copy of the database. Further, interactive and intuitive with menus such as
File, Tools and Help and several buttons within these, thereby making the SQL
database repair process easy. After click on OK, the next interface displays
wherein users have to select database. Have a look below:
Here, to
select the database to initiate the repair process, the software provides ‘Select Database’ button. I clicked on
‘Select Database’ to choose MDF file. However, software also provides an option
to search MDF files using ‘Find Database’ button. Then the tool enlists all the
files with specifications such as File Path, File Size, Modified, Created Date
and Accessed Date. Next, choose the MDF file for repair. Recovery of deleted
records is also possible with a check on ‘Include Deleted Records’ checkbox.
Finally, clicked on the ‘Repair’ button.
The SQL database (MDF)
file repair process
Stellar Phoenix SQL
Database Repair software repairs the MDF file easily
and efficiently in simple steps. These are:
1. Select
the MDF file
2. Initiate
‘Repair’ for the software to scan
the selected MDF file
3. Preview
the scanned and recoverable data
4. Save the
repaired MDF file
Next, the recovered data
The
software recovered it all: Tables, Triggers, Views, Collations, Stored
Procedures, Synonyms, Functions, Defaults and Default constraints, Primary
Keys, Foreign Keys, Unique Keys Identity, Indexes (Clustered and Non -
Clustered), Check constraints, User Defined Data Types and Null/Not null,
Predefined defaults, default values and Rules. See below:
Then, preview before
saving
This software also enables user to perform selective recovery of
database objects, those require recovery from the preview and saving at default
or required location in the system.
Further, the Saving Options
Software
provided four different saving options: MS
SQL, CSV, HTML and XLS.
The
tool also provided the option to save in ‘New Database’ or ‘Live Database’ as
shown below:
Finally,
I could repair the SQL database and recovered all its Objects. The software
didn’t change the original data and recovered all the components, I had in
database file such as Indexes, Views, Tables, Triggers, Stored Procedures,
Rules, User Defined Functions, Keys and more.
I
was also able to search for my corrupt SQL database items manually from the
preview displayed after scanning.
What adds to the software
benefits?
SQL
server is a complete and comprehensive relational database management system offering
a high-end range of administrative tools for database
development, maintenance and administration. Its database MDF file, though not
prone to corruption can become damaged due to multiple reasons possible, such
as virus or malware attack, sudden system shutdown due to a power outage, media
read error, and so forth. To overcome this, Stellar Phoenix SQL Database Repair software is very useful. The
reason being, it is an easy-to-use tool that repairs damaged MDF file
successfully safely and securely. With
powerful algorithms, it scans the file and recovers maximum data. Besides, it
does not modify the original data that I found in other software designed for
MDF file repair.
As my peer suggested me, I
recommend this tool to all SQL users,
experts and administrators.