I'm trying to upgrade from SQL Server 2008 R2 Express to Developer.
My plan is to remove the Express edition, then install the Developer edition. I have one database I need to bring over to the new installation.
To prep, I made physical copies of the data and log files to the desktop, as well as performed a full backup to the desktop. I then detached the database in Management Studio.
To get a restore under my belt before removing Express, I went to physically move the .mdf
and log files in windows explorer after detaching, but I don't see the files.
I thought perhaps there was no need, I could restore from the backup (again, still with Express), I get the error that there is insufficient space. And interestingly, I don't see the backup file on the desktop. I am sure I specified it carefully. I tried plan B, to attach the .mdf
file that I copied to the desktop, and I get
CREATE FILE encountered operating system error 2 (The system cannot find the file specified).
Any help here would be huge. Thanks.
*.bak
or made around the same time. Detaching was a mistake... you should never use physical copies of the mdf/ldf files as "backups"...C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL
)