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Considerations for Rebuilding the master Database

  • Article

When damaged, the master database must be rebuilt if:

  • A current backup of master is not available.
  • A backup of master exists, but it cannot be restored because the instance of Microsoft SQL Server cannot start.

Note

If you are using the full recovery model for msdb, which is recommended, before rebuilding master, you should try taking a tail-log backup of msdb. For more information, see Tail-Log Backups.

In SQL Server 2005, the Rebuildm.exe program has been discontinued. For information on how to rebuild master, see How to: Install SQL Server 2005 from the Command Prompt.

Important

Rebuilding the master database installs all system databases to their initial location. If you have moved one or more system databases to a different location, you must move the databases again. For more information about moving system databases, see Moving System Databases.

See Also

Concepts

System Databases
Considerations for Restoring the master Database

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance

Change History

Release History

14 April 2006
New content:
  • Added note about local of system databases.

5 December 2005
New content:
  • Recommended attempting a tail-log backup of msdb—if it uses the full recovery model.