Need IT Help for MSSql Server

[JohnnyO]

(I am by no means an IT person I have some basic SQL skills. So bare with me here)

I have received a database file GP.MDF from GreatPlains Accounting Software. I understand that this is a MSSql Server file. We don't have a GP licence but we do have MSSql Server.

Is it possible to load this on to MSSql Server and then query the tables using something like Toad or SQL+? How do you add the database if you can do this?

Thanks
John

[Bobblehead]

I can't offer too much advice - I work with Oracle and don't have much Sql Server experience. You should be able to start the database up, but unless you have the passwords you will not be able to access the data. Even then, data may be tricky to read unless you know the relations.

[socalwingfan]

If it is a single file database you can use:

EXEC sp_attach_single_file_db @dbname = 'xxx',
@physname = 'c:\Data\gp.mdf'

[JohnnyO]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

If it is a single file database you can use:

EXEC sp_attach_single_file_db @dbname = 'xxx',
@physname = 'c:\Data\gp.mdf'

Thanks for your help, It is a single file database probably with serveral tables within it, but I have no idea what that means or where to run that.

[socalwingfan]

You need to be a SQL Administrator on the server you want to create the database on, and run the command from the Query Analyzer interface.

[JohnnyO]

Hey Socialwingfan is that the correct syntax for referring to the file, again thanks for your help

Server: Msg 5105, Level 16, State 4, Line 1
Device activation error. The physical file name 'c:\GPdata.mdf' may be incorrect.

[photon]

You have to make sure the file name you give it is the real path and name of the file.

Also, I tried to do this on a MSSQL 2005 server with a MSSQL 2000 database file and had problems, so version might matter.

Hey socalwingsfan if you ever have time and access to MSSQL servers I've got a MSSQL 2000 database file that I'd like to get the data from; it's the database for this forum before the move to the new software. If I could get a SQL dump from that I could get all those posts back

[kobafett]

Hey Photon you could probably attach the database to MSDE 2000 and then do the SQL dump. If not we have a test MSSQL 2000 server here that I could give it a try on.

[FLAMESBURNOIL]

what SQL version is it? You should be just able to restore it....if you want you can send it to me and i can give you a SQL dump....gotta be ms sql 2000 though

[MacDougalbry]

...

[socalwingfan]

Originally Posted by photon

You have to make sure the file name you give it is the real path and name of the file.

Also, I tried to do this on a MSSQL 2005 server with a MSSQL 2000 database file and had problems, so version might matter.

Hey socalwingsfan if you ever have time and access to MSSQL servers I've got a MSSQL 2000 database file that I'd like to get the data from; it's the database for this forum before the move to the new software. If I could get a SQL dump from that I could get all those posts back

If you still need help shoot me a PM - i should be able to help you out no problem

[photon]

Originally Posted by kobafett

Hey Photon you could probably attach the database to MSDE 2000 and then do the SQL dump. If not we have a test MSSQL 2000 server here that I could give it a try on.

Hm, never thought about that! I'll give that a try and if that doesn't work I'll give you guys a shout.