A heap or clustered index in SQL Server is a way to effectively organize records saved in tables. These metadata structures enable the database user to increase retrieval speed of database records. While the heap index contains only the data pages, clustered index contains both index pages and data pages. Corruption in either of these indexes results in inaccessibility of all the database records. Few main reasons for index corruption are unexpected SQL Server shutdown, operating system malfunction, and virus attack. An easy way to surmount the problems created after index corruption is to restore the database from an updated backup. However, in case of database backup unavailability or backup falling short to restore the required data, the user needs to opt for an advanced third-party MDF Recovery application.

Consider a practical scenario, where you receive the below error message when your try to mount your database:

“Table error: Object ID O_ID. The text, ntext, or image node at page P_ID1, slot S_ID1, text ID TEXT_ID is referenced by page P_ID2, slot S_ID2, but was not seen in the scan.”

The above error message repeatedly occurs each time you attempt mount your database. Additionally, your database records become inaccessible after the above error message appears.

Cause:

The above error message occurs when the text node in a complex column in any heap or clustered index is corrupted.

Note: Index corruption can occur either due to logical or physical damage.

Resolution:

There are different resolutions for resolving resolving both logical and physical crashes. These resolutions are discussed below:

• For physical damage, change the damaged system component with a new one.

• For logical crashes, run DBCC CHECKDB command (with correct repair clause).

The above two resolutions provide absolute recovery of database components in most situations. However, if the database remains corrupted after the above error message you will need to use effective MDF File Recovery services or tools. While the MDF Repair services (for physical corruption) is performed by extremely talented data recovery experts, repair through MDF file repair tools (for logical corruption) can be easily performed any technical or non-technical user.