how to repair master database in sql server 2005

Question

For some unknown reasons, all of a sudden my sql servers master database has been corrupted and sql service won't run. I have spent hours and tried various things like trying to run the service under different accounts, also checked that no compression is set in the data folder etc but nothing seems to work. I copied master database from another instance and the service would start and I can connect to the database instance via management studio but I won't see my databases. I have backup of the corrupted master database (mdf and log file) but just wondering how can we fix this database to see all my databases? thanks

Answer 1

Just restore from the backup (good to have one!), it's the recommended way:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/fort_sql/archive/2011/02/01/the-easiest-way-to-rebuild-the-sql-server-master-database.aspx

In case you don't have a good backup, you will have to rebuild master database:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259%28v=sql.90%29.aspx

Copying over from another existing instance is not recommended.