okay here is how i made this work. Im not sure why it workds this way but maybe someone can tell me.

Why convert the password to...

I know about

DTS,

KB246133,

sp_addlogin

@encryptopt = 'skip_encryption'

But none of it is working

DTS - service is running under the wrong account - cant change it

@encryptopt = 'skip_encryption' - not working not...

I'll check it out. Looks like taking the password out of the system table then useing the

@encryptopt = 'skip_encryption' for sp_addlogin works.

DATAFILETYPE = 'widenative'

that was the problem.

DATAFILETYPE = 'widenative'

that was the problem.

Okay I see your point. It occured to me last night that when both machines are up and running on the same domain/network. I dont know which one...

this is very cool thanks Ally. any idea why I might get a null for 'NumLicenses'? opps!

oh my... this is the way to do it. Thank you

Your response gives me confidence it can be done. What exactly do you mean by 'client network ustility'? Can you give me an example of one?... perhaps...

yes your right, I meant we 'cant' find it on the disk. I'm guessing its a stand alone type of thing. thanks

and if our other developement/production servers have a collation setting inconsistant with some of our firms supposed 'international' data feeds? Is it better to change all the collations...

these are some great replies...appreciate it. sometimes at work i feel like i'm the only one representing the limitations of technology in the face of business needs.

the...

I'll take a look. I've found replication to be a bit unreliable (in the sense that it has to be monitored frequently and reset). I admit I...

Thanks for these ideas. I looked into log shipping but something I read made me cringe a bit; when it comes time to apply the logs to the destination...

Your absolutely right. I did transfer over the base tables DTS-style and am recreating the queries as views, gaining valuable insight to the design and subject matter. And...