Help with broken Companyweb!

Standard is c:\inetpub - unless you configured something else.

Sharepoint or WSS is a totally different thing though - Sharepoint websites are not having any directory, the content is stored in an SQL database. As you cant find the dir my first guess is that your company page was a WSS based page, so if you really cleaned all SQL databases you effectively destroyed all content. I'd check the SQL if any databses are still existing.

Web site files are usually located in DRIVE_LETTER:\inetpub\wwwroot

Okay, so even worst case scenario -- assuming that the SQL database was removed, where is the directory that the MICROSOFT ##SSEE SQL database resides in?  If I know that, I assume I should be able to look at my shadow copies of that SQL db and copy the contents of last week's directory to another repository and from there re-establish a connection to that SQL db effectibely restoring the old website data content.  Yes?  Not that I know how to do that either, but first things first here; I need to find that database!

I think I'm screwed.  Due to the ENORMOUS amount of data I was tasked with backing up daily (to the tune of 1.5 Tb), we purchased a copy of BackupAssist and I have it set to mirror to a USB drive.  That said, it does this once every day (but I have only enough room to backup the server and save only a single instance -- I do not have multiple days' worth of backups.  I can potentially restore back to last Friday with either the Backup Assist or using the previos versions of these directories, I can recover back to last Thursday.)  

Unfortunately, for some reason these directories do not allow me to recover anything prior to that date.  I assume that is because I uninstalled, rebooted and reinstalled these components and the earliest known instance of these data directories is now set forth from the date of the install?  This suuuuuucks.  I feel terrible about this, but it's not as if I didn't warn against this type of disaster recovery scenario when I recommended a backup solution.  However, the cheapest means by which to backup the server data won out over the ability to have multiple backups.  Now to go do some damage control.... :(

Sharepoint and WSUS do share the same database file and it would be found here:
C:\Windows\SYSMSI\SSEE\MSSQL.2005\MSSQL\DATA\Windows\SYSMSI\SSEE\MSSQL.2005\MSSQL\DATA (unless you've moved it to another directory via the SBS Management Console)

It is possible to recover the database if you have a copy of it, essentially by following the steps found here:  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd548329(v=ws.10).aspx

Jeff
TechSoEasy

TechSoEasy -

Thanks so much for this post.  I have not yet informed the client that all is lost and was hopefuly somebody might have some other input before I do so.  In looking in the default repository, I see multiple files from dates prior to when I removed SharePoint and reinstalled.  However, whenever I type in the command "np:\\.\pipe\MSSQL$Microsoft##SSEE\sql\query" (as per the MS technet link you posted), I see multiple databases but I'm pretty sure that of them all, the one I need is not there.  With that being said, I also see the .mdf file and .ldf file that pertain to the website prior to the hiccup.  Is there a means by which to get that data back into a database?  With your previous post I'm closer, but I'm not sure I'm out of the woods just yet.  Any further assistance is greatly appreciated.

- Dodds

Okay, I'm making progress.  I have been successful in bringing up my company database in SQL Server Management Studio Express and I am now attempting to follow the instructions contained on the webpage from the link above.  I have been successful in doing everything up until it asks me to:

a.Run the following SQL command to set the database offline: alter database [db1] set OFFLINE with ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE, where db1 is the name of the database that you are moving. You must include the brackets.

Question -- What exactly does this mean?  From where do I run this command? (and subsequent others?)  Go ahead and laugh because it probably seems really naive of me to ask that but I've tried running it from the same place I ran the "np:\\.\pipe\MSSQL$Microsoft##SSEE\sql\query" command as well as from a CMD prompt (running as Administrator) and no luck.  Is there a SQL command line I should be using?  I feel like I'm so close, but so lost!  Help! (Again!)

The command is run in SQL Server Management Studio Express.  Click New Query and enter the command as instructed.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

I figured that out just before you posted this.  I am so confused.  You've pointed me on the right path, but this didn't work quite as it's laid out and thus, http://companyweb is still broken and I've worked another 2.5 hours with no more luck than I had before.  SharePoint is not my thing and this feels like learning to swim by being thrown into the ocean.  I'm going to have to reinstall Sharepoint (again) and start from scratch.  At least I know my .mdf file is here along with its logfile and certainly there must be some way to connect it to my internal website and restore it to its former state.  I may have to pony up and call Microsoft to get somebody to do this for me and I will watch.  I don't know what else to do.

x

Awesome!  I can tell you that I learned about SQL in just about the same manner -- thought everything was lost never to return, and then VOILA! there it is!  

I am continually amazed by the resilience of the database files.  

Glad it worked out for you.

Jeff
TechSoEasy

Jeff - you are a KING! Thanks again for all your responses and continued support. Wish you the best and maybe I'll see you around again...

- Doddsy

The final solution was a combination of tips shared by other admins and information mined online on my own and a lot of trial and error on my part.