Detect and delete orphaned items in Windows SharePoint Services content databases
I just came across this article about a new option in STSADM tha alows you to detect and delete orphaned items in Windows SharePoint Services content databases.
The hotfix adds a new databaserepair command-line operation that you can use with the Stsadm.exe command-line tool to repair a content database. You can use the Stsadm.exe command-line tool with the databaserepair operation to detect and to delete the following orphaned items in Windows SharePoint Services content databases:
| • | A Windows SharePoint Services Web site that does not have a parent Windows SharePoint Services Web site |
| • | A subweb that does not have a parent Windows SharePoint Services Web site |
| • | A list that does not have a parent Windows SharePoint Services Web site |
| • | A document that does not have a parent document library |
| • | A list item that does not have a parent list |
| • | A Web page that does not have a parent Windows SharePoint Services Web site |
You must obtain the hotfix from PSS. Follow the steps in the article:
918744 Description of a new command-line operation that you can use to repair content databases in Windows SharePoint Services
https://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;918744