How do I attach a DB that is 655 to a SQL 2005 612 instance?

Question

I'm trying to attach my database on a server that is running SQL2005 and I encountered an error that says that my DB is version 655 which is not suppoerted on a 612 system. Is there a way to alter my DB to get to a attach or to find out what is causing the structural change that is preventing me from attaching my DB?

SOLUTION

If you right click on the database that you want to upgrade and go to generate scripts. You can then generate a copy of your database for the target version and find out form the error list which tables have problems and what those problems are. After you have altered your DB you can then use the script on the target machine. Don’t forget to select to add your indexes and data to the script.

I don’t know why no one has written this anywhere but for those out there suffering I’d recommend this as your first option. It worked great for me.

Answer 1

This sounds to me like a version check in SQL server to make sure you don't use a new DB file with an old (unpatched) DB and corrupt it in the process.

2 Options:

1) Patch you database (bring it up to the latest patch level)

2) Attach your DB on a DB with the required patch level, export/backup it, move the backup to the offending server and import/restore it again.

Answer 2

If you right click on the database that you want to upgrade and go to generate scripts. You can then generate a copy of your database for the target version and find out form the error list which tables have problems and what those problems are. After you have altered your DB you can then use the script on the target machine. Don’t forget to select to add your indexes and data to the script.

I don’t know why no one has written this anywhere but for those out there suffering I’d recommend this as your first option. It worked great for me.