restore database from backup only, not having mdf and ldf files

  • Hello, old db server died, only database backups are available. Mdf and Ldf files are gone.

    Is there a way to restore these databases on new server from backup only? Data loss is not essential.

    thank you for the help.

  • Yes it is possible. This is one of the main reason why you take a back up. If your server dies and you have back up, you just have to restore the back up.

    Check in Books On Line the command RESTORE DATABASE

    -Roy

  • Hi Roy, thank you for our reply. I know why I take the backup. My plan as I think it should be, is like this: on a new server do restore files only to get logical names of the files. Create a new database. Then do a restore from backup of my old database with move of logical file names to new location. want to try it when new server is available.

  • L_avital (1/22/2010)


    Hi Roy, thank you for our reply. I know why I take the backup. My plan as I think it should be, is like this: on a new server do restore files only to get logical names of the files. Create a new database. Then do a restore from backup of my old database with move of logical file names to new location. want to try it when new server is available.

    That is a lot of extra work that is not necessary at all. When you restore a database from a backup it creates the mdf/ldf files that are needed for that database. Creating a new database, then using the move option just overwrites the existing files.

    You can test this yourself by creating a new database, add multiple data files - then restore with the move option with a database that has a single mdf. The previous ndf files will no longer exist.

    Jeffrey Williams
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