DB File Extension

SQLServerCentral is supported by Red Gate Software Ltd.

Popular Topics

Home

Members

Calendar

Who's On

Home » SQL Server 2005 » Administering » DB File Extension

DB File Extension

Rate Topic

Display Mode

Topic Options

Author

Message

jayoub1

Posted Monday, February 04, 2013 2:04 PM

Valued Member

Group: General Forum Members
Last Login: Saturday, May 18, 2013 6:32 PM
Points: 55, Visits: 152

I noticed that one database file does not have an extension and the type is just File. I have an M:\ partition and when I look at the database files one just has the name and no .mdf extension. The file type is File. There are other .mdf files in the same folder and they are listed with the extension and type is SQL Server Database Primary Data File.

Also in the properties of the database under File Name it just shows the name and no extension.

Please let me know what I should do to correct this. Not sure if just renaming the file ABSdatabase.mdf will work without the database being detached or something. If I do rename the file with the extension are there any risks

Your help is appreciated

Jeff

Post #1415488

SQLRNNR

Posted Monday, February 04, 2013 2:07 PM

SSCoach

Group: General Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:07 PM
Points: 18,733, Visits: 12,332

You can leave the extension off if you wish. I wouldn't recommend it but it does work.

To rename it, detach perform the file rename and then reattach is what I would do.

Jason AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
I have given a name to my pain...
MCM SQL Server 2008

SQL RNNR

Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw
Posting Data Etiquette - Jeff Moden
Hidden RBAR - Jeff Moden
VLFs and the Tran Log - Kimberly Tripp

Post #1415489

george sibbald

Posted Monday, February 04, 2013 2:27 PM

SSCertifiable

Group: General Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 11:21 AM
Points: 5,268, Visits: 11,199

my preferred method would be the alter database command

ALTER DATABASE yourdb
(
NAME = logicalfilename,
FILENAME = N'c:\t1dat2.mdf' --for example
);

then offline the database, actually rename the physical file and online the database again.

take a backup first whatever way you do it!

(backup\restore with move is in fact another option)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Post #1415497

SQLRNNR

Posted Monday, February 04, 2013 2:37 PM

SSCoach

Group: General Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:07 PM
Points: 18,733, Visits: 12,332

george sibbald (2/4/2013)

If this is a SQL 2008 database server, I'd go that route too.

Post #1415500

george sibbald

Posted Monday, February 04, 2013 3:37 PM

SSCertifiable

Group: General Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 11:21 AM
Points: 5,268, Visits: 11,199

works from 2005 up Jason.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Post #1415515

SQLRNNR

Posted Monday, February 04, 2013 3:42 PM

SSCoach

Group: General Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:07 PM
Points: 18,733, Visits: 12,332

Yup. I always did the detach in 2005 after a bad experience. But yup - the syntax is supported in 2005. I don't recall the specifics of the bad experience.