Recover SQL Server Data from Virtual Machine Disk Files, Backup Files and Disk Image Files

If your SQL Server MDF/NDF file is stored on the following file:

  • VMWare VMDK(Virtual Machine Disk) file(*.vmdk). For example, you store your SQL Server MDF/NDF file on a virtual disk in VMWare.
  • Virtual PC VHD(Virtual Hard Disk) file(*.vhd). For example, you store your SQL Server MDF/NDF file on a virtual disk in Virtual PC. Or you make a backup of your SQL Server MDF/NDF file via Windows Backup and Restore function.
  • Acronis True Image file(*.tib)
  • Norton Ghost file(*.gho, *.v2i)
  • Windows NTBackup file(*.bkf)
  • ISO image file(*.iso)
  • Nero image file(*.nrg)

and you cannot access the data in the MDF/NDF file for some reasons, for example:

  • You delete your SQL Server MDF/NDF file from the virtual disk in VMWare or Virtual PC.
  • You format the virtual disk in VMWare or Virtual PC by mistake.
  • The virtual disk in VMWare or Virtual PC cannot be mounted or launched properly.
  • The virtual disk in VMWare or Virtual PC is corrupt or damaged.
  • The backup file on the backup media is corrupt or damaged and you cannot restore your MDF/NDF file from it.
  • The disk image file is corrupt or damaged and you cannot retrieve your MDF/NDF file from it.
  • And many more …

Then you can still recover the data in the MDF/NDF file by scanning and recovering the corresponding virtual machine disk file, backup file or disk image file with DataNumen SQL Recovery. Just select the virtual machine disk file, backup file or disk image file as the source file to be repaired, DataNumen SQL Recovery will scan the source file, analyze it, recover the SQL Server data stored on the file, and output it to a new fixed MDF file or plain text SQL statement file which can be used to reconstruct the database.

If your MDF/NDF file is stored on a hard disk or drive, and you cannot access the MDF/NDF file for some reasons, for example:

  • You delete your SQL Server MDF/NDF file from the hard disk or drive.
  • You format the hard disk or drive by mistake.
  • Your hard disk or drive fails and you cannot access the files any more.
  • And many more …

Then you can use DataNumen Disk Image to create an image of the hard disk or drive, then recover the MDF/NDF data from the image file with DataNumen SQL Recovery.