open existing database

• mhh12

  Mr or Mrs. 500

  Points: 577

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  September 6, 2009 at 4:05 pm

  #225859

  I am trying to use SQL Server Management Studio and bring in an .mdf file that is already listed in

  C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA

  There are a lot of other .mdf files listed there as well. The only one that appears in Object Explorer under

  HKRAM\SQLEXPRESS(SQL Server 10.0.1600-HKRAM\my name\)

  is Auburn Blue, which I created in MSFT SQL Server Management Studio. The file I want I created in VWD 2008 Express. It also resides in ...My Documents\Visual Studio 2008\WebSites\AuburnSQL\App_Data. Its size is the same but its Date Modified is a couple days more recent.

  I can create a new database with the Database\New Database command. Where is the command to open an existing database?

  What am I missing?

  Mark H.

• dbo.benyos

  SSCommitted

  Points: 1944

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  September 6, 2009 at 8:18 pm

  #1049957

  Well, your mistake is by calling it "open". You don't open databases. You access them if they reside on your server.

  You first need to bring that DB onto the server you're looking at.

  Luckily it is one command below... It is called 'attach'. Just point at the MDF file and wait for a moment.

  Good luck

  Tal Ben Yosef
  www.TalBenYosef.com
  (visit my LinkedIn profile)

• mhh12

  Mr or Mrs. 500

  Points: 577

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  September 8, 2009 at 4:32 pm

  #1050835

  Thank you. It works.