Best Methods to restore SQL Database without logFile

Summary: MS SQL Server is a relational database application used to store and retrieve data according to the requirements of other applications. The SQL Server database is essential software for any organization, as all the critical business data is stored in it. Unfortunately, the database gets damaged and becomes inaccessible sometimes. At this point, we need to recover the SQL database. Sometimes, while recovering the database with MDF and LDF files, you will not be able to connect to the log file, which means the LDF file is lost. Here in this blog, we will discuss “How to restore SQL database without LogFile” using manual methods, and also with the help of a standalone tool is SQL database recovery tool. So read the blog till the end to get all the answers to your questions.

Let us see why users need to recover a SQL database without the Log File or LDF File:

The most common reasons why users are required to restore the database without the Log File are:

• Some people are unaware of the fact that the log file has crucial transaction data that is required.
• In some cases, due to an oversized log file, only the .mdf file can be moved to the new location.
• Hardware failure is also a reason behind the damaged or corrupted LDF files.

Manual Ways to restore SQL database without log file:

There are different manual methods to recover SQL database without logfile are below:

Method 1. By the T-SQL method

To recover the SQL server database use T-SQL. In this method, Users have to execute the following command in the management studio:

CREATE DATABASE MDF_FILE_NAME

ON (FILENAME= ‘C:\file path\File-name.mdf’)

FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG

GO

Refresh the database once the execution of the command is complete. And after this, you can access the freshly restored database in the object explorer.

Method 2. Through the SQL Server Management Studio

By using SQL Server Management Studio, follow the following steps to restore SQL database without logFile:

1. Go to the object explorer window and right-click on the databases and access the Attach option. 
2. A dialog box appeared, hit the Add, on the Attach database.
3. Then, choose the location where the MDF file is present the dialog box and Locate Database files gets displayed, click on the file to select, and then Hit OK to exit.
4. Here, the new log file is created while restoring the database.
5. Finally, the database will be seen in databases.
6. Now, go to the Attach Database box. In the database, you will find that SQL Server is not able to find log files.
7. Here, hit remove to attach the MDF file without LDF after selecting the transaction log file.

Consequences/Limitations of manual methods:

• You can use the above-discussed method by using a server management studio that can only be used if the database shuts down properly, and the .mdf file is accessible.
• The manual methods are completely technical methods that can not be used appropriately by novice users.
•  The primary issue is data loss with manual methods.
• Even, It’s a time-consuming and lengthy process. 

Professional DRS Softech SQL Database Recovery to restore the SQL database server 

Professional services mean using an automated tool that gives you a hassle-free solution as well as helps you to prevent the consequences of manual methods. Several tools are available these days to help you out. One such standalone tool is a SQL database recovery tool by DRS Softech. Some prominent features of the tool for SQL Server restore database are here below:

• The software provides full recovery of data from multiple NSF files.
• It Fix Recovery Pending State in SQL Server Database.
• For different levels of corruption, there are Serves dual recovery modes as standard mode and advanced mode.
• Moreover, this tool has an interactive GUI that makes it easy to use.
• Additionally, It does not require technical knowledge; a person with a non-technical background can also use this easily.

Final Verdicts:

Here in this article, I have discussed how to restore SQL database without logfile. The manual method is viable but comes with numerous consequences. On the other hand, a professional utility prevents the issues inherent in the manual process and ensures efficient SQL Server database restoration. However, this is my perspective; you can choose any method or tool based on your needs.