Re: when postgres failed to recover after the crash...

Hi,
> In general, it's a really bad idea to run PostgreSQL (or any other
> database) over file-level network storage like SMB/AFP/CIFS/NFS.
> Block-level network storage like iSCSI is generally OK, depending on the
> quality of the drivers in target and initiator.

What Craig says it is true and it might be worth reading the free
chapter about "Database Hardware" from Greg's book on high performance,
which you can download from
http://blog.2ndquadrant.com/en/2010/10/postgresql-90-high-performance.html

> Before you do anything more, make a COMPLETE COPY of the entire data
> directory, including the pg_clog, pg_xlog, etc directories as well as
> the main data base storage. Put it somewhere safe and do not touch it
> again, because it might be critical for recovery.
Yes, also in case you had any tablespace do not forget about them. But a
cold backup in this cases it is always a good thing.

Ciao,
Gabriele

--
  Gabriele Bartolini - 2ndQuadrant Italia
  PostgreSQL Training, Services and Support
  gabriele.bartolini@2ndQuadrant.it | www.2ndQuadrant.it