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TimB's avatar
TimB
Copper Contributor
Jan 17, 2025

Restore SQL 2019 Database from files

We lost our most current changes to our SQL 2019 database while trying to upgrade to windows 11. We've installed a new copy of SQL 2019 onto a new Windows 11 install. We have also restored the database from a full backup from Jan 2024 (this is the most recent full backup we have access to). We also have access to a copy of the C drive before our loss from a few weeks ago. For example we have all of the files and folders including: C/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server and C/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft SQL Server. The question is can we copy certain files and/or folders over from our Jan 25 C backup to update our restored Jan 24 database? If so, what files and or folders would we need to copy over. Super appreciate the support.

3 Replies

  • TimB's avatar
    TimB
    Copper Contributor

    I think I can restore the database using SSMS and copying MDF and LDF files from my old C backup.

    I found the following MDF and LDF files

    For 1/4/2025 there are 4 MDF and 4 LDF files. I don't know if I need to only copy the HOPE_WW2 files ( 1 MDF and 1 LDF) or should I copy all 8 files

    Using SSMS I can attach a database by selecting the MDF file.

    Depending on the answer to which files I should copy over, I'm not sure which files to attach where.

    1 or all 4 MDF in the "Databases to attach" section

    1 or all 4 LDF in the "Associated Files" section

    I also don't know if I need to do anything in the connection properties section

    Thanks for the support

  • TimB's avatar
    TimB
    Copper Contributor

    I found this link on how to use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to attach a database via .mdf and .ldf files. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/databases/attach-a-database?view=sql-server-ver16&f1url=%3FappId%3DDev15IDEF1%26l%3DEN-US%26k%3Dk(sql13.swb.attachdatabase.f1)%26rd%3Dtrue In my C drive search the most recent .mdf and .ldf files were created on 1/4/2025. I found 4 .mdf and 4 .ldf files

    I don't know if I need to copy all 4 of these .mdf and .ldf files over or just the "Hope_WW2" Any help would be appreciated.

    Depending on that answer I am also unsure on which files do I attach where using SSMS. If I am suppose to copy all 8 files over do I attach all 4 MDF files in the top section (Databases to attach)? Do I also attach all 4 LDF files in the lower section (Associated Files)?

    Also the database name has changed. Not sure if I need to change anything else - like in the connection section. Appreciate the support!

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