My SQL2000 server crashed, and I was able to recover the data and log files. I had to reinstall from scratch after that. I found that I can use the sp_attach_db procedure to create databases on the new server from the data and log files. That recovery procedure worked, at least so far. But it's left me with a lot of questions. Is this a valid recovery? Will I be missing data, other than the obvious uncommitted transactions? Why isn't this documented as a recovery procedure? The BOL on sp_attach_db says it should only be used after a detach, which wasn't the case here. If this works, why bother with traditional backups at all? Why not just back up the live data files?