How to Reconnect Log File to MDF File

Summary: This document is for the SQL Server DBA, who encountered problems while reconnecting logs to the MDF files. It will explain how to reconnect a Log file to the MDF file with a step-by-step approach and provide suggestions to overcome issues.

The SQL server engine now has more than 50 different database engines on a single computer. A single SQL Server database may contain multiple engines. Typically, each server engine has its log file that records the activity of the server engine. However, sometimes we need to reconnect log file to MDF file. In this article, we will discuss how to do this. Before proceeding, let’s have a brief knowledge of LDF and MDF files.

LDF stands for log database file that contains the transaction details in a server. It is widely used as a backup file to retrieve the details of activities performed on the SQL Server database. Any type of changes, alterations, and transaction details are recorded in the Log database file. Whereas MDF is known as the Main Database File that contains all the information such as account information, personnel information, and market trends in a SQL Server database.

Reasons for Reconnecting LDF File to MDF

We know that the log database file is a crucial file that is used in the SQL Server database. All the transactions, alterations, and database changes executed on the SQL database are stored in the LDF files. It is also used to retrieve the SQL Server database details after being inaccessible or corrupt SQL database.

How to Reconnect Log File to MDF File?

In this post, we will discuss two different approaches to reconnecting the LDF files to the MDF database file. Also, what to do when found corrupt MDF files.

User Quer: I have received an MDF file of the SQL Server database from my business manager. He also asked me to restore it. The only thing that I have received is the MDF file, no backup, and no log files. Can anyone suggest to me how to attach SQL Server databases that do not have their transaction log files?

Reconnect Log File to MDF File by SQL Server Management Studio

Follow the below-listed steps carefully to attach the Log file to the MDF file. Make sure to run the SQL Server Management Studio as Administrator.

• Open your PC and Search for SQL Server Management Studio.
• Connect to your database by Windows or Server Authentication.
• Now, right-click on the Database folder and select Attach.
• After that, you will find an Attach database wizard.
• Click on the Add button as highlighted in the below image.
• Here, you will get a wizard of Select database file. Select the MDF file that you want to connect with the log file. Tap Ok. (The selected .mdf file is TestA)
• You will find the status Transaction log not found. Select the row and Tap OK.
• Now, you can reconnect the Log file to the MDF file. (You can cross-check the log file to the source .mdf file path)

Using the above steps, one can create or connect the Log file with the .mdf file only. Besides, what if users have the log file and want to connect with the SQL Server database.

Reconnect SQL Server Database Without a Transaction Log File

Connecting SQL Server by a log file can be executed easily. A SQL Database administrator can also reconnect the Log file to the MDF file or SQL Server database.

Step-1.Using the CREATE DATABASE with ATTACH option also specify the database name and location of the .mdf file that we have for this database. Following are the scripts.

USE [master]

GO

CREATE DATABASE [TestA] ON

( FILENAME = N’C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQL2008\MSSQL\DATA\TestA.mdf’ )

FOR ATTACH

GO

Step-2. After executing the script, it will display a message of a new transaction log file being created.

Sometimes, due to corrupt MDF files, users fail to reconnect the log files to the MDF files. Therefore, before using the above methods to reconnect log file to MDF SQL Server database file, you must repair the MDF file.

Repair Corrupt MDF File to Reconnect Log File to MDF File

Aryson SQL Database Recovery is a trusted SQL Recovery tool to recover MDF and NDF files of SQL Server databases. Besides, the software also enables users to repair corrupt LDF transaction log files. The software helps to recover tables, views, triggers, default, programmability, and other functions from the SQL Server database files.

Steps to Repair Corrupt MDF Files and Reconnect with LDF Log File

• Install and Run the Aryson SQL Database Recovery tool.
• Select the corrupt .mdf file and press Open to add in the utility.
• After that, choose the recovery mode and other displayed options.
• Now, the software will scan and recover the data items of the corrupt MDF file.
• Here, you can Preview the restored data items from the MDF file.4
• Click on the Save button to open the saving wizard.
• Choose the saving criteria either directly to SQL Server Database or SQL Server Database Scripts.

Conclusion

We hope that this post on how to reconnect log file to mdf file was helpful. Here, we have discussed the importance of configuring log files to PDF files. Moreover, to execute the configuration, you will have two different methods. But, a corrupt MDF file does not allow it to connect with the transaction log files. Hence, we strongly suggest users use the Aryson SQL Database Recovery to repair and retrieve corrupt MDF files.

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