Fixing “The low key value on page P_ID1...” Error

The physical storage of data stored in a MS SQL Server table can either be performed in a B-tree or heap structure. The B-tree structure consists of a two types of pages – parent page and child page. The parent page contains at least two child pages and keeps a record of every child page. In case the child page is at the last level (leaf-level), then all the records on that page should contain key values equal to or greater than the key value in the parent page. However, in case the child page is at tree level, then the key values should be greater than the key value in parent page. But, if these key values are not in accordance, then you might receive an error message that stops you from accessing its records. This mainly happens when the MS SQL Server database is logically or physically damaged. In such situations, you need to repair the database using a commercial SQL Database Recovery, if you have not maintained any backup.

Consider a practical case wherein you encounter the below error message while trying to access your MS SQL Server table:

“Table error: Object ID O_ID, index ID I_ID. The low key value on page P_ID1 (level LEVEL) is notCOMPARISON the key value in the parent P_ID2 slot S_ID.”

This is a severity level 16 error message. After the above error message pops up, the records saved in the table become inaccessible.

Cause:

The above error message appears due to corruption of MS SQL Server database.

Resolution:

To fix the above severity level 16 error message and to access the table records, you will need to follow the below steps:

View the system, application, and SQL Server logs, to identify physical corruption. After the damaged component is identified in the logs, change the component.

To identify logical damage, you will need to run DBCC CHECKDB command without a repair clause. After identifying the level of logical damage, run the same command with a suitable repair clause. However, if the error message persists even after running the above command, then you need to repair your database using an effective third-party SQL Database Repair application. Such SQL Recovery tools use effective repair techniques to repair logically damaged databases.

SQL Recovery is one powerful SQL Repair tool to repair MS SQL Server 2008, 2005, and 2000 databases. The software allows the database administrator to preview the repaired database before saving it at required location. It is designed for Windows 7, Vista, 2008, XP, 2003, and 2000.