New Install of SQL2K

[speedracercjr]

I have a NT4/SQL2K box that I need to do a clean install of W2K. The drives and computer name will stay the same. Once i get W2K Server installed I'm going to get SQL2K installed and patched to current level. What do I need to back up NOW so that I can get everything restored and working properly??? Thanks for the help

Cory

 

[speedracercjr]

Any help at all? A link would be nice. I'm very "virgin" when it comes to SQL 2000 so any help would be good!

 

[toetag]

You can never back up too much. Even if you don't think you'll need it, back it up.

If all you are concerned about is restoring the USER db's, just back them up. HOWEVER, if you have alot of security, jobs, maintenance plans, DTS packages, etc.; you will need to back up the SYSTEM db's as well (ie: master and such).

Without backing up the system db's, you'll loose all of the things I mentioned above.

 

[SQLBill]

If you want the EASIEST way (in my opinion) to be able to restore your databases, here it is:

1. detach EVERY database (you can do this one at a time if you want).
2. copy the .mdf and .ldf files to tape or a drive that won't be erased.
3. rebuild everything MAKING SURE THAT YOU GIVE YOUR SQL INSTANCE THE SAME NAME AS IT ORIGINALLY HAD!!!
4. move the .mdf and .ldf files to their original location overwriting any that are already there (when you reinstall SQL Server it will create new master, model, msdb, tempdb, northwind, and pubs .mdf and .ldf files).
5. Then reattach the databases.

Make sure you know the directory structure of where you currently have the .mdf and .ldf files. They need to go back to the same directory structure after the rebuild.

-SQLBill

 

[speedracercjr]

Well I read how to do that in technet...what about just backing up all of the database files and then restoring them when i get the server back up again?

 

[toetag]

SQLBill is correct, that is the easiest way to do it.

Backing the DB's up then trying to restore them is going to have a few extra steps to consider. If you back up your master DB then want to restore it to the new server, you'll have to put the server in single user mode. I've run into problems with restoring user DB's after restoring a master (it may have been user error, but i've not had similar problems with the route SQLBill provided).

Create the 2nd DB structure exactly like the original. stop the services and replace the MDF files with the originals. Works like a charm.