Restoring SQL Server 2005 database onto SQL Server 2000?

[StevenK]

We have a client who has recently upgraded to SQL Server 2005 for one of their database applications.
I am currently running SQL Server 2000 (Service Pack 3a) on my development laptop.

We have run a backup of the SQL Server database from the client's server (now using the SQL Server Management Suite - in place of the SQL Server Entreprise Manager).
When I try and restore this onto my SQL Server 2000 (laptop) I first create an empty database (with the appropriate name) - and then using 'All Tasks' - 'Restore Database...' I select the 'From device' option and browse to the backup file (as retrieved from the client's SQL Server 2005). On return from the 'Choose Restore Devices' screen (following the file selection) I then go into the 'Options' tab of the 'Restore Database' dialog (in order to indicate the file location for the data / log files). As soon as I do this - I get the following message:

Microsoft SQL-DMO (ODBC SQLState: 42000)
Error 3205: Too many backup devices specified for backup or restore; only 64 are allowed.
RESTORE FILELIST is terminating abnormally.

Clearly this will be due to the fact that I'm trying to restore onto an earlier version of SQL Server (trying to restore onto SQL Server 2000 from a backup taken from SQL Server 2005).

Is there any way in which I can restore from this backup file onto my SQL Server 2000?
Or is there some other means of taking a backup file from the SQL Server 2005 edition such that I can restore it as required?

 

[bborissov]

Check thread183-1283803
I was in the same situation and there is no way to get back the data. I hope I am wrong.

Borislav Borissov
VFP9 SP1, SQL Server 2000/2005.
MVP VFP

 

[mrdenny]

You can not restore a backup taken from SQL Server 2005 to a SQL Server 2000 server. You will need to restore to a SQL Server 2005 server.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005) / MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com