01.27.06

SQL Error: I/O error 1450 (error not found)

Posted in Programming at by chenty

The past 3 days were nightmare. All the application on one of business database stopped working. After hours of debugging, I locate this error from SQL Server. There are not many information on the Internet, and I could not look it up from MSDN website. It looks like some I/O error with database file.

I run “DBCC CHECKDB” and found many torn pages and other errors. Because the database is relatively big, the error does not appear all the time. After several rollback, I found these errors have been hidden in my database for a while. I did not encounter them because the applications did not access these data before. Sadly, I have rollback old backup day by day, until I found a day that DBCC CHECK will not report any errors.

This is really time consuming work, and I have spent 2 days to finally get the latest error free backup. After that, I have manually extract differential data from corrupted database to the backup restore. However, this attemp becomes a hassle because I found that after I copied certain data over to the new database, the torn pages will show up again. =( Since I moved these information in batches of million, it is impossible for me to locate the problem unless I get more deep in physical records, which I feel it is not worth the time.

After 3 days of work, I finally get all application back online with loss of some recent data. However, I am still watching it closely, in case the error will show up again. Now I understand why companies are paying so much dollars to a good DBA.

The lesson I learn: Run DBCC CHECK and backup regularly. The errors can hide in a large database for a long time.

01.22.06

Life Update

Posted in Life at by chenty

I went to China for vacation from December 27 to January 11. I stayed in Beijing and Harbin, and I visited some old friends and family members. This trip is only 2 weeks, but I feel I have seen so many things. It is good to take a break because it gives me a chance to think; think about life, think about future. The busy life in Canada made me a little bit tired, and I feel that I started getting lazy, but this trip motivates me and I feel I am on the right track again.

Here are some changes:
Food: I was eating junk food before I went back China, but now I cook myself and only eat healthy food: vegetables, low fat high protein food such as chicken breast, and fishes.
Activities: I was playing computers all day long before I went back China, but now I work out on regular basis, and quit computer games.
Sleep: I slept irregularly before, but now I sleep around 9-11pm, and wake up early. This gives me a lot of energy in day time and I am no longer late at work.
School: I decide to go back school for graduate school. Even though I am not sure if I will get admitted, I still try my best to go back. If I get admitted, I will put my full strength this time because my financial situation is much better now.
Work: I will put school as my first priority now, but I will still work as hard as I can. FurnitureToronto.com business is getting much better this year, and I hope we will make record sale this year.

This trip totally changed my life style, and I am feeling good, really good. =) Now I realize how important a vacation is, and I am looking forward to next trip back to China in summer 2007.