Deleted transaction log

[bhumphrey]

Please don't laugh...I have a customer that decided to stop his SQL Server and delete his Transaction log because it was growing too large. Any idea how to recover from this?

[MAK]

Do you really need that transaction log back?

you can attach the single .mdf file using sp_attach_single_file_db.

If you really want the .ldf file back

a. Check re-cycle bin, if you still have the file.

b. There are utilities for windows which can bring the file back. (I used to use Norton Utilities long time back).

[bhumphrey]

We always have our database set up with the .ldf and usually have it backing up multiple times daily for disaster recovery. This guy, for some reason, didn't have the backup either running or it was failing and he was clueless about it.

I don't know that he is capable to use any other tools to recover the deleted file, it had already been removed from the recycle bin. Is there a way to attach an old copy of the transaction log and keep the current .mdf?

[skhanal]

No, two files are from different point in time.

You should attach single file as Mak suggested. You will not lose much as SQL Server must have issued checkpoint before shutting down and all committed transactions would be in data file.