But it doesn't restore anything? as the backups are for databases that do not exist on the server, they only exist on the old server?

use master

EXEC sp_ABRestoreDb '{UserDbs}', '\ewcpnt12\restore\Databases\&\&_db_*'

GO

outputs this

Server: Msg 50000, Level 16, State 1, Procedure sp_ABRestoreDb, Line 341

Filespec \ewcpnt12\restore\Databases\AeroConf\AeroConf_db_* did not match any files

aeroconf is the only user db that exists on the new server.

This was my point - how does it know it is a userdb from a .bak file?

sorry if I am a pain in the behind - very grateful for your help