Manual recovery of a SQL Server

Last published : Apr 02, 2026
When you recover SQL manually, you must first restore the Windows server from full system backups. After recovery of the Windows computer is complete, or after the new server installation is available, you can recover the SQL databases.
For more information on how to run a manual disaster recovery, click the following URL:
https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.000020082
In order to restore SQL databases, SQL must be running; however, SQL cannot be started unless the master and model databases are present.
You can restore the master and model databases and start SQL using one of the following methods:
  • Rename the files created by Backup Exec that replace the master and model databases. After the master and model databases are present on SQL, you must start SQL, and then restore all other databases.
See Restarting SQL using database copies.
  • Reinstall SQL.
This topic only details how to restart SQL by using the copies of the master and model databases made by Backup Exec. For more information on the Rebuild Master utility, or on reinstalling SQL, refer to your Microsoft SQL documentation.
If you are restoring to a new SQL installation, start with the restore of the master database.
See Restoring the SQL master database.
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