One of our clients had a SQL Server 2000 database, on a system which is no longer running. They have no idea what was in the database. They have given me the .mdf and .ldf files, and want us to investigate and extract information if any.
I don't think the database was properly detached when these files were backed up, since I am getting the following error when I try to attach these files to my SQL Server 2008 express edition:
Could not continue scan with NOLOCK due to data movement. Converting
database 'GRMStemp' from version 539 to the current version 655.
Database 'GRMStemp' running the upgrade step from version 539 to
version 551. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 601)
What should I do to attach the database in this situation?
Best Answer
It sounds like the database is corrupt. Before you do anything further, make a copy of the files, and only work with copies.
You might try the following, in case the problem is isolated to the log:
If that fails, there is a forum post on MSDN by Paul Randal which describes a process that might work. Basically:
ALTER DATABASE GRMStemp SET EMERGENCY;
DBCC CHECKDB (GRMStemp, REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS);
which will rebuild the log and run full repairBTW If the client has no idea what was in the database, and wasn't responsible enough to maintain proper backups, how important could the data be?