How to Recover Project Data (Microsoft SQL Server)

If you had a failure of your database server since your last backup, or if your database file has become corrupted, you will need to restore your previous database backup and apply the log file of more recent changes to that database. To do so:

1. Stop your database server.
2. Archive the corrupted database file and the current log file by copying the .Mdf and .Ldf files to a different location or to a back-up tape.
3. Start Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise Manager by selecting Start/Programs/Microsoft SQL Server/Enterprise Manager.
4. Locate the database you wish to back up. Expand a server group and then expand a server.
5. Expand the databases and select the database you wish to restore. Right-click, select "All Tasks" and click "Restore Database."
6. In the General tab of the Restore Database dialog box, set the following:

• Restore as Database - Accept the default database displayed, or enter or select the database to restore. To restore the database with a new name, enter the name of the database.
• Restore - Select "Database."
• First backup to restore - Select the backup set to restore.
• Restore List - Select the database backup to restore.

7. In the Options tab of the Restore Database dialog box, select one of the following:

• Leave database operational. No additional transaction logs can be restored if no further transaction log or differential database backups are to be applied.
• Leave database nonoperational, but able to restore additional transaction logs if another transaction log or differential database backup is to be applied.

For more information, refer to the "Creating and Restoring a Database Backup" topic in the Microsoft SQL Server Books Online documentation.