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Othmane Ataallah
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{
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"label": "Dead PC Recovery",
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"position": 2,
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"link": {
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"type": "generated-index",
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"description": "Guide for extracting database files from a failing or non-booting PC."
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}
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}
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docs/database-operations/dead-pc-recovery/index.md
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docs/database-operations/dead-pc-recovery/index.md
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---
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sidebar_position: 1
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title: "Overview"
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---
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# Overview
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---
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This guide covers how to physically extract database files from a client's PC when the machine is failing or the database service cannot start, so that data can be saved to a USB drive and restored on a working machine.
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There are two possible situations when you arrive at a client site:
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| **Situation** | **What it means** | **Procedure** |
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| ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
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| **A — Windows boots, but the DB service won't start** | You can navigate the file system normally | Go directly to Part A |
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| **B — Windows does not boot at all** | You need a live Linux USB to access the drive | Go to Part B first, then follow the extraction steps |
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---
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# What to Bring
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Before going on-site, make sure you have:
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- A **USB drive** with enough space (at least as large as the client's database, ideally 2x).
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- A **bootable Linux live USB** (Ubuntu LTS recommended) — only needed if the PC doesn't boot.
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- This guide, either printed or on your phone.
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docs/database-operations/dead-pc-recovery/windows-boots.md
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docs/database-operations/dead-pc-recovery/windows-boots.md
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---
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sidebar_position: 2
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title: "Part A — Windows Boots"
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---
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# Part A — Windows Boots, Service is Down
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---
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In this case you can work directly in Windows Explorer or a command prompt. The database service does not need to be running to copy the files.
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---
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## A1 — SQL Server: Locate and Copy the Files
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SQL Server databases consist of up to three file types, all of which you need:
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| **File** | **Extension** | **Contains** |
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| ------------------- | ------------- | ---------------------------------- |
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| Primary data file | `.mdf` | The database schema and data |
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| Secondary data file | `.ndf` | Overflow data (not always present) |
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| Transaction log | `.ldf` | Transaction history |
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**Default file locations by SQL Server version:**
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| **Version** | **Default Data Path** |
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| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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| SQL Server 2012 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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| SQL Server 2014 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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| SQL Server 2016 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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| SQL Server 2017 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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| SQL Server 2019 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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| SQL Server 2022 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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| SQL Server 2025 | `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL17.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\` |
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**Steps:**
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1. Open **Windows Explorer** and navigate to the data path for the installed SQL Server version (see table above).
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2. Identify the files belonging to the target database. They will be named after the database, e.g. `ClientDB.mdf`, `ClientDB_log.ldf`.
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3. Copy **all three file types** (`.mdf`, `.ndf` if present, `.ldf`) to your USB drive. Do not rename them.
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4. Verify the copy completed without errors before ejecting the USB.
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**Notes:**
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- **Custom paths:** The client may have installed SQL Server with a non-default data path. If the files are not in the paths above, check the Windows Registry at: `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\<instance>\MSSQLServer` Look for the `DefaultData` and `DefaultLog` keys.
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- **Do not try to copy the system databases** (`master`, `model`, `msdb`, `tempdb`). Only copy the client's user database files.
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---
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## A2 — PostgreSQL: Locate and Copy the Files
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PostgreSQL stores all databases in a single directory called `PGDATA`. Unlike SQL Server, you do not copy individual files — you copy the **entire data directory**.
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**Default file locations by PostgreSQL version:**
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| **Version** | **Default Data Path** |
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| ------------- | -------------------------------------- |
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| PostgreSQL 12 | `C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data\` |
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| PostgreSQL 13 | `C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\13\data\` |
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| PostgreSQL 14 | `C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\data\` |
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| PostgreSQL 15 | `C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\15\data\` |
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| PostgreSQL 16 | `C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\16\data\` |
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**Steps:**
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- Open **Windows Explorer** and navigate to the `data` folder for the installed PostgreSQL version (see table above).
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- Copy the **entire `data` folder** to your USB drive. This single folder contains everything needed.
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- Note the PostgreSQL version number from the folder path — you will need it when restoring.
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**Notes:**
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- **Note the version.** For each database in the cluster there is a subdirectory within `PGDATA/base`, named after the database's OID. Because these internal identifiers are version-specific, the data directory must be restored on a machine running the **exact same PostgreSQL version**.
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101
docs/database-operations/dead-pc-recovery/windows-dead.md
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docs/database-operations/dead-pc-recovery/windows-dead.md
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---
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sidebar_position: 3
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title: "Part B — Windows Does Not Boot"
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---
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# Part B — Windows Does Not Boot (Linux Live USB)
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---
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If the client's PC will not boot into Windows, you will use a Linux live environment to access the hard drive and copy the database files.
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---
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## B1 — Boot from the Linux Live USB
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1. Insert your bootable Ubuntu USB into the dead PC.
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2. Power on the PC and enter the **Boot Menu** (usually `F8`, `F11`, or `F12` — varies by manufacturer).
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3. Select your USB drive from the boot menu.
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4. When Ubuntu loads, choose **"Try Ubuntu"** (do not install).
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---
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## B2 — Mount the Windows Drive
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Ubuntu may mount the Windows drive automatically. If not:
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1. Open the **Files** application (file manager). The Windows drive should appear in the left sidebar — click it to mount it.
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2. If it doesn't appear, open a **Terminal** and run:
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```bash
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# List all available drives and partitions
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sudo fdisk -l
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```
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Look for a partition of type `NTFS` with the size matching the client's main drive (e.g., `/dev/sda3`). Then mount it:
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```bash
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sudo mkdir -p /mnt/windows
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sudo mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sda3 /mnt/windows
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```
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Replace `/dev/sda3` with the correct partition name from `fdisk -l`.
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3. Verify the drive is mounted:
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```bash
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ls /mnt/windows
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```
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You should see the familiar Windows folders: `Users`, `Program Files`, `Windows`, etc.
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---
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## B3 — Mount the USB Drive
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1. Plug in your USB drive. Ubuntu will mount it automatically under `/media/ubuntu/`.
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2. Find the exact mount point:
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```bash
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ls /media/ubuntu/
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```
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Note the folder name (it will be the USB drive label, e.g., `SUPPORT_USB`). Your full USB path will be something like `/media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB`.
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---
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## B4 — SQL Server: Copy Files from the Dead Drive
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Navigate to the SQL Server data directory and copy the files:
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```bash
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# Adjust the MSSQL version folder (MSSQL14=2017, MSSQL15=2019, MSSQL16=2022)
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ls "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/"
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```
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You will see all `.mdf`, `.ndf`, and `.ldf` files listed. Copy the client's database files to the USB:
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```bash
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# Create a folder on the USB for organization
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mkdir -p /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery
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# Copy the target database files (replace ClientDB with the actual name)
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sudo cp "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/ClientDB.mdf" \ /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery/
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sudo cp "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/ClientDB_log.ldf" \ /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery/
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# If a secondary file exists, copy it too
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sudo cp "/mnt/windows/Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER/MSSQL/DATA/ClientDB.ndf" \ /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/SQLServer_Recovery/ 2>/dev/null || true
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```
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---
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## B5 — PostgreSQL: Copy Files from the Dead Drive
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```bash
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# Create a folder on the USB
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mkdir -p /media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/PostgreSQL_Recovery
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# Copy the entire data directory (adjust version number as needed)
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sudo cp -r "/mnt/windows/Program Files/PostgreSQL/15/data" \
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/media/ubuntu/SUPPORT_USB/PostgreSQL_Recovery/
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```
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