Introduction and Tricks to Handle SQL Server Error 8910 ?

Stacy Brown ~ Modified: October 16th, 2023 ~ SQL Master Database ~ 7 Minutes Reading

One of the most prevalent errors is SQL Server Error 8910 in SQL database. SQL Server is a Relational Database Management System that is commonly used by many organizations and Business Enterprises. The quality of excellent performance and low maintenance makes it advantageous which can either be utilized as a client-server model or as a web-based application. SQL Server database consists of two types of files: Database File and Log File. The primary data file is MDF and the secondary data file is NDF and both hold tables, indexes, etc. The log file holds the transaction records.

SQL server deals with the storage and management of huge amounts of data. The chances of getting the database corrupted are very high and it prompts different types of error messages. The SQL Server Error 8910 is an error that occurs due to a flaw in IAM pages. IAM (Index Allocation Map)pages are an internal structure that is used to hold page indexes. An IAM is of 4GB space and each 4GB memory space is called GAM chunks. IAM consists of two types of records i.e. a header and a bitmap. The details of error 8910 and possible solutions are discussed here.

SQL Server error 8910: A Quick Fix in Simple Steps

Download and launch the tool on your PC.
Open the tool and add database files.
Choose between Quick or Advanced Scan modes.
Access Settings and Destination Location.
Click “Export” to resolve SQL error 8910.

SQL Server Error 8910 Message Format

Error 8910 message shows the description as:

Page P_ID in database ID DB_ID is allocated to both object ID O_ID1, index ID I_ID1, and object ID O_ID2, index ID I_ID2.

Severity level: 16

The severity level indicates the type of problem with the error. Severity level 16 indicates errors are generated by the user and the user can handle it.

Causes Behind the Error

– Occurs due to issues with entering page indexes on the IAM page Array
– Two common scenarios leading to this error:
1. Duplicate entry of the same page index on a single IAM page Array.
2. Entry of the same page index on two different IAM page arrays.

Solutions to SQL Server Error 8910

Hardware-level Failure: Troubleshoot the hardware in case of failure.
Restore The Backup: If backups are available, restore it.
CHECKDB: Execute DBCC CHECKDB to repair the corrupted files.

In-depth Solutions Explanation

Hardware-level Failure:

Run Hardware Diagnostics to fix the hardware-related problem. Go through the error logs of the SQL Server and Windows NT so that it gives a clear idea about the problem. Sometimes reinstallation of the Operating System may fix the problem. It will be better to replace the hardware if the problems exist frequently. The hardware problems can be because of

Compressed drives.
Improper settings and configuration of the hardware.
Inefficient design of the hardware.
Hardware that does not meet proper I/O or memory operations.

Restore The Backup:

If the backup for the database exists, restore the backup to obtain the database to a healthy condition. To recover data under such instances the DBA must maintain a regular backup of the databases. The backup must be scheduled at regular intervals so that restoring the database to the latest backup is possible. It is always good to maintain a planned backup and restoring strategy. Backup is always essential to avoid data loss due to any data hazards.

DBCC CHECKDB Fix for SQL Server Error 8910

DBCC CHECKDB is an inbuilt Query to check the integrity and object allocations of the database. This reports the issues and errors with the database. The syntax for DBCC CHECKDB is as follows:

              DBCC CHECKDB 
              ( 'database_name' 
              [ , NOINDEX | { REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS | REPAIR_FAST | REPAIR_REBUILD  } ] 
              )    
             [ WITH { [ ALL_ERRORMSGS ] 
             [ , [ NO_INFOMSGS ] ] 
             [ , [ TABLOCK ] ] 
             [ , [ ESTIMATEONLY ] ] 
             [ , [ PHYSICAL_ONLY ] ] 
                    } 
              ]

Database Name is the name of the database which is to be checked. Query checks

Order of the indexes
Index and page table mapping
Consistency of pointers
Validity of data on each page
And page offsets.

This query works only if the degree of corruption is very low. Choose the option DBCC CHECKDB as a solution to error 8910 only if the Backup is unavailable. It is better to restore the backup if any error or corruption occurs in the database file.

Expert solution to Fix SQL Server

The DBCC CHECKDB works only to an extent. It cannot repair the highly corrupted MDF and NDF files. The Third-party commercial wares like SQL MDF Repair Tool, which is capable of recovering the MDF and NDF data files, corrupted to any extent. This completely eliminates the SQL Server error 8910 from the SQL server.

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Advantages of using this application:

Restore various database components: Tables, Triggers, Rules, Views, Functions, Stored Procedures, and more.
SQL Recovery Software retrieves deleted records and objects.
Transfer data to either a new or existing SQL Server Database.
Export data to SQL-compatible scripts if SQL Server isn’t available.
Efficiently export table records to CSV format.
Restore SQL Databases from a wide range of versions.
Easily export recovered data to a network-based SQL Server.
Flexibly save files with schema, data, or both during export.
Retrieve data from MDF files affected by Ransomware.

The Bottom Line

In this era of database management, SQL server is a boon with the available solutions. However, in the long run, understanding the common issues and their root cause is crucial. An error like SQL Server error 8910 can disrupt database operations. In such cases, with the right approach, it can be addressed properly. There are possible ways to mitigate this issue i.e. by either hardware troubleshooting, backup restoration, or third-party tools. With this in mind, opt for the apt solution that best fits your specific situation to keep your SQL Server database running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is SQL Server and why is it popular in organizations?

A: SQL Server is a widely-used Relational Database Management System known for its performance and cost-effectiveness. It’s commonly chosen by organizations with both client-server and web-based applications.

Q2: What are the primary file types in a SQL Server database and their contents?

A: SQL Server databases consist of MDF and NDF files housing tables, indexes, and transaction records.

Q3: What is SQL Server Error 8910, and what causes it?

A: Error 8910 is typically triggered by issues with Index Allocation Map (IAM) pages, often occurring when a single page is referenced in multiple locations or different IAM page arrays.

Q4: What is the severity level of Issue 8910, and why is it significant?

A: Error 8910 has a severity level of 16, indicating it’s a user-handled error. Understanding the severity level helps users address the issue.

Q5: How to resolve SQL Server Error 8910?

A: Solutions include addressing hardware problems, restoring available backups, and utilizing the DBCC CHECKDB query to verify and repair database integrity.

Q6: Why is regular database backup maintenance essential?

A: Regular backups are vital for data recovery in cases of errors or corruption, ensuring databases can be restored to a healthy state.

Q7: What is DBCC CHECKDB, and when should it be used to resolve Error 8910?

A: DBCC CHECKDB is an integrated query for assessing database integrity. It should be used when corruption is minimal, and there are no available backups.

Q8: Are there alternative solutions for highly corrupted MDF and NDF files besides DBCC CHECKDB?

A: Yes, third-party commercial tools like the SQL MDF Repair Tool can recover severely corrupted MDF and NDF files and eliminate SQL Server Error 8910 from the database.