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Retrieving data from DAT file

  • November 8, 2002 at 6:08 am

    #58681

    I have a 6.5 server that had the master DB rebuilt. This server also had a secondary DB. When the master was rebuilt all info for the secondary DB was lost but I still have the DAT files. Is there any way to recover the data from these files?

    Thanks,

    Pat Russell

  • November 8, 2002 at 6:14 am

    #440823

    To the best of my knowledge the answer is no.

  • November 8, 2002 at 6:28 am

    #440825

    Okay, thank you.

  • November 8, 2002 at 6:41 am

    #440828

    I think Antares686 is right. Have you no backup of master prior to rebuild?

    However, having a really surreal idea.

    MAKE A COMPLETE BACKUP OF SQL (Master,etc.)

    Make copy of the DAT file (a) for backup (and peace of mind).

    Rename the DAT file (a) as 'something else' (b).

    Create a new database with the same name as the original DAT (a).

    Shutdown SQL Server.

    Delete the DAT file you just created.

    Rename (b) back to (a)

    Startup SQL Server.

    I do not know if this will work as I do not know what information 6.5 keeps where. It might complain a lot or corrupt files!!!

    MAKE SURE YOU DO BACKUPS AND COPIES FIRST.

    Far away is close at hand in the images of elsewhere.
    Anon.

  • November 8, 2002 at 7:03 am

    #440831

    The correct procedure is to restore your master database if your data files are still in the right place then it should all be back as normal.

    The second is the fudge above of tricking the server into thinking the database is there by creating a new one and replacing its files

    Simon Sabin

    Co-author of SQL Server 2000 XML Distilled

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1904347088


    Simon Sabin
    SQL Server MVP

    http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons

  • November 8, 2002 at 7:41 am

    #440837

    There is a lot to restoring a 6.x database. You have to recreate the database device in the same manner it was create perviously, step by step, from it's smallest size thru each growth and to the final size. It has to be exact from what I recall (didn't ever need to do) a information is stored about the device in master.

  • November 10, 2002 at 11:12 pm

    #440931

    Create a 6.5 with exactly the same device names( and does not have too be in the sdame location ), your DB name must also be the same as the original DB. Stop SQL Server. Copy the DAT files over the newly created DB devices. Start SQL server again, the databases will be recovering for a while but will eventually appear on-line.

    Hope this helps.

    Regards

    Raino Botha

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