Looking for old SQL Server 1.x - 4.21 disks, manuals, boxes, etc.

• Mike Scalise

  SSCrazy Eights

  Points: 8147

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  September 28, 2026 at 11:35 am

  #5039591

  Hi everyone,

  I'm hoping some of the longtime SQL Server professionals here might be able to help me with something.

  I've been doing a lot of research into the earliest versions of SQL Server for SQL.FM, a SQL Server version and feature reference site I maintain, and as part of this effort I've also started building a physical collection of the old releases and related items.

  Does anyone here still have any of this early SQL Server material -- even if it's been sitting in a box or on a shelf for a while?

  At the moment, I'm looking for anything related to SQL Server 4.21 and earlier, including:

  • SQL Server 1.0 / 1.1 material
  • SQL Server 4.2 for OS/2
  • SQL Server 4.2 / 4.20 for Windows NT
  • SQL Server 4.2A / 4.2B
  • SQL Server 4.21 / 4.21a
  • original floppy disks or CDs
  • manuals/documentation
  • boxes and packaging
  • developer/network kits
  • beta or prerelease material
  • training, field, reseller, or other unusual Microsoft items related to SQL Server

  My primary goal is to acquire original examples for the collection, so if you have early SQL Server media, manuals, boxes, or related items that you would consider parting with, I'm very interested in purchasing them. For particularly early or unusual material, I'd be happy to make a strong collector offer.

  Even if you only have a single floppy, loose manual, old CD, damaged box, or partial documentation set, I would be interested.

  And even if you don't have anything you're willing to part with, I'd still very much like to hear from you or see any photos you might have of labels, disks, manuals, packaging, or other early SQL Server artifacts. Those kinds of details can help answer historical questions and improve my documentation of the early releases.

  I've been a member here for over 15 years, so I know there are a lot of people in this community with a long history of working with SQL Server. I'm hoping someone might still have some of this material tucked away somewhere.

  Separately, I'm also still looking for a physical copy of SQL Server 2014 Developer Edition, as well as a physical SQL Server 2016 box/package (any edition). Those are secondary to the early-version items above, but if anyone happens to have either, please let me know.

  I appreciate any help anyone can give me with this.

  Feel free to reply here or send me a private message.

  Thanks!

  Mike

  Mike Scalise, PMP
  https://www.michaelscalise.com