SQL Server Express unable to attach or delete mdf file - sql-server-express

My database file Whist.mdf was attached to a SQL Server Express through Management Studio, but it stopped working in that sense that NHibernate in my asp.net solution fired some connection exceptions. I just detached it from Management Studio because I couldn't open the database in there either.
But when I try to reattach it I get this error:
Attach database failed for Server 'MyPCName\SQLECPRESS'. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo) Unable to open the physical file "C:\Program
Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA\Whist.mdf".
Operating system error 32: "32(process cannot access the file because
it is being used by another process)". (Microsoft SQL Server, Error:
5120)
I have googled it but can't find a solution that works for me. E.g.:
http://www.byteblocks.com/post/2010/01/06/Unable-to-open-the-physical-file-Microsoft-SQL-Server.aspx
"Cannot open user default database. Login failed." after installing SQL Server Management Studio Express
There is something about User Instance but I cant figure out if it have anything to do with that:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlexpress/archive/2006/11/22/connecting-to-sql-express-user-instances-in-management-studio.aspx
I have tried to delete the mdf file in windows but I can't do that either:
The action can't be completed because the file is open in system
I have tried stopping the SQL Server process, closing explore and delete from cmd and rebooting...
Hope someone can help - I guess it is just a simple thing..

I think you are on the right track. The error messages you are getting indicate that some SQL Server process is keeping the database file open. And SQL Server is designed to only allow the database file to be open by a single SQL Server process at a time.
You are also probably right to suspect User Instance of SQL Server Express to be the guilty process here. User Instance is a special SQL Server process that doesn't run as a service and instead is started and owned by the application that tries to connect to it. In your case there are two User Instances that can be the problem, one owned by the ASP.NET application you mentioned and one owned by you and started by Visual Studio. If you are using IIS Express or you configured the IIS App Pool for the ASP.NET application to run as your account then we only have one User Instance to worry about.
My recommendation is that you don't use User Instances and don't try to connect directly to the database file. Go over your connection strings and remove User Instance=true from all of them. You want to remove AttachDBFilename=... property as well.
If the database file is added to any of your Visual Studio solutions remove it (just be careful not to delete the file itself). The last step is to remove any connections to the database file from your Data Connections node in the Server Explorer.
Then restart the machine to make sure any User Instances that were running in the background were shutdown. After the machine starts again you should be able to attach the database file back to your main SQL Server Express using SQL Server Management studio. Let's name the database Whist
To connect to your database use the following connection string:
Data Source=.\SQLExpress;Integrated Security=true;Initial Catalog=Whist
When you connect from the ASP.NET application, make sure that you have created an account in your SQL Server Express for the application.

Turned out to be an issue with Daemon tools for me as well associating the .mdf file as an image.

If you want to copy your .mdf and .ldf file from your database, you can set your database file to 'offline' first . Please follow this steps:
Open your SQL Server 2008(suppose you are using SQL Server 2008 ).
Select your Database that you want to copy then left click.
Go to Tasks -> Take Offline.
Right click.
Then you can copy this database file to any folders.

Related

SQL Server Database is not getting attached again

I tried to detach my SQL Server 2008 R2 database for creating a duplicate of it, meanwhile connections to that database were active from Visual Studio (2010). So SQL Server denied to detach. After closing Visual Studio, I tried again and my database was successfully detached.
After detaching my database I tried to copy both files (.mdf and .ldf) to another folder as a duplicate copy, but I could not do so because I was getting error that says
You require permission from the computer administrator to make changes to this file
I am using Windows 7 and my account is Administrator. I also tried to attach my database again to SQL Server (running it with administrator permission) but I got the following error:
Failed to retrieve data for this request. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Sdk.Sfc)
Additional Information:
An exception occurred while executing a Transact-Sql statement or batch.
(Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo)
CREATE FILE encountered operating system error 5 (Access is denied,) while attempting to open or create the phyical file'C:/Mywor/MyDataBase.mdf'.
(Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5123)
Please help me if someone know how to handle this problem.
Here are couple things you can try:
Stop SQL Server service and see if you can copy files (to stop SQL service go to SQL Server Configuration manager)
Try to copy some other database files in that directory and see if that works (make sure permissions for both files are exactly the same)
Try to copy .mdf and .ldf files in original SQL Server data directory (you can find it in SSMS -> Instance properties ->Database Settings
If you’re not using windows explorer for copying files make sure you run it as admin (right click -> Run as administrator)
This is a permissions issue on the database files directory, or the files themselves. Just because you're logged on as an administrator doesn't mean that Windows 7 allows you to do anything you want without whinging at you first. Also, the SQL Server service account may not have the appropriate permissions on the file/folder.

"This database file is not compatible with the current instance of SQL Server"

I am currently reading through a book about MVVM and I need to use the Northwind database for the next section. Unfortunately, when I try to add Northwind to my project, I get the following error:
"An error occurred while connecting to the database. The database might be unavailable. An exception of type 'Microsoft.Data.ConnectionUI.SqlDatabaseFileUpgradeRequiredException' occurred. The error message is: 'This database file is not compatible with the current instance of SQL Server.'"
I haven't installed an SQL Server, just Visual Studio 2012. The book instructs me to add the .MDF file to the project, set it as an Entity Data Model, and then to generate from database. It's on the next screen where I get the error. I use NORTHWND.MDF as the data connection and the entity connection string is as follows:
metadata=res:///Model1.csdl|res:///Model1.ssdl|res://*/Model1.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlClient;provider connection string="data source=(LocalDB)\v11.0;attachdbfilename=|DataDirectory|\NORTHWND.MDF;integrated security=True;MultipleActiveResultSets=True;App=EntityFramework"
In the book, this reads:
metadata=res:///Model1.csdl|res:///Model1.ssdl|res://*/Model1.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlClient;provider connection string="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\NORTHWND.MDF;Integrated Security=True;UserInstance=True"
I have tried using both data sources and neither work.
Also of note, the sample code that goes along with the book doesn't work either. It compiles and launches, but in the server explorer, NORTHWND.MDF has an 'x' in the icon and upon launch none of the data is there.
When I attempt to upgrade the database, I get an error saying:
"Database '...\NORTHWND.MDF' cannot be upgraded because its non-release version (539) is not supported by this version of SQL Server. You cannot open a database that is incompatible with this version of sqlservr.exe. You must re-create the database..."
If anybody could give me any tips on how to get this working, I would certainly appreciate it.
my simple way:
go to VisualStadio 2012
In Server Explorer Windows
open Data Connections
Right click on ASPNETDB.MDF
click on Modify Connection...
a new windows open for you ... you just click OK
if other windows open for you click Yes
FINISH ( be Happy ) :D
If we are trying to attach .mdf file in SQL Express mode in our development project and while adding .mdf file in App_Data folder we are getting exception like below :
"The database file is not compatible with the current instance of sql server...."
Then we can go to Server explorer window → go to Data connections → go to "your database" → right click on Modify connection → check the Data sources and Database file name, then use windows Authentication and press OK.
It works for me.
one way to potentially fix it is, install Sql Server 2012 Express and use database connection to sql server. Do not use local database. That might work. Just a suggestion.
Also as an extra note, you might want to download SQL Server 2012 Management Studio (I believe it comes with the above download as a component that you have select). With Management Studio Installed, you can test the database connectivity separately, create tables, run queries etc. This will make troubleshooting a lot easier.
Visual Studio doesn't install any database server by default so you can't connect to one. The MDF file is just the file where SQL Server stores its data, it's not a standalone database.
You have to install some version of SQL Server 2012 Express for both connection strings to work.
The first connection string uses the LocalDB feature which is essentially a minimal installation of SQL Server 2012 Exrpess (~ 35 ΜΒ). You can only connect to LocalDB from your machine which makes it useful only for development purposes.
The second connection string connects to an actual instance of SQL Server Express, called SQLExpress, installed on your local machine. The second connection string attaches the MDF file to the server as a User Instance, which means that the file is released when you stop using it.
The SQL Server Express downloads range from 130 MB to 1.3 GB depending on which version you download (minimal to full with advanced services).
Northwind database is not readily compatible with 2012, the compatible version of Northwind database for sql server 2012 can be downloaded from the below link, and after downloading .mdf file we can easily attach it with sql server 2012. I have found the following and it helped me, hope it will help you. How to Attach Northwind Database in Sql Server 2012
First go to data connection as on pic:1
2.Then browser your mdf file press ok and it will automatically convert the database.
picture:01
picture:02
Modify connection may solves the problem, but I am not sure whether the type of this database file is changed.
I have found a way to solve this problem if you have installed the database Server corresponding to the database file. You just need to change the default database Server of your visual studio.
On the menu, choose Tools-> Options -> Database tools, then on the data connections enter the SQL server Instance name corresponding to your database file which you have installed,then press Ok.
Next step is also important, it is necessary to click 'refresh' or delete the database filename in Data Connection and reopen the file, the file will be added to Data Connection again and open successfully.
This is what worked for me:
On the Add Connection dialog box, click Advanced.
Scroll down to the bottom and look for a field called Data Source.
Change it from (localdb)\MSSQLlocalDB to .\SQLEXPRESS.

Failed to generate user instance in SQL Server 2012

I am using .mdf file for connectivity, when I select it it generates error:
Failed to generate user instance in SQL Server due to failure in starting the process for the user instance
I have attached image to make it clear to you.
http://i.stack.imgur.com/B1ae2.png
Can anyone answer my question.
Thank you!!
Try following steps :
Stop all user instance processes of SQL Server running under your local account (open up task manager and look for sqlsrv.exe process and end it)
Delete all files in the %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Data\SQLEXPRESS folder
F5 again
The problem is known issue. SQL Server Express cannot create a user instance using the set of engine files in your local app data folder, deleting them should allow SQL Server to recreate them with the correct credentials for you to F5 successfully.

Cannot attach database SQL Server 2012 error 5

When I type this:
CREATE DATABASE AdventureWorks2012
ON (FILENAME = 'C:\Users\sohm\Desktop\Pohm\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf')
FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG ;
I get this:
File activation failure. The physical file name
"C:\Users\sohm\Desktop\AdventureWorks2012_Data_log.ldf" may be incorrect.
Msg 5123, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
CREATE FILE encountered operating system error 5 (Access is denied.) while attempting to
open or create the physical file 'C:\adventuredb\AdventureWorks2012_Data_log.ldf'.
Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Could not open new database 'AdventureWorks2012'. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
I know it has to do with permissions. I have the administrator account. I have read a million posts but nothing has worked so far. Also when I try to change the folder containing the mdf file, to full control but it keeps reverting back to read-only.
You should run SSMS as an administrator.
Also it is possible that you might be running query as an 'sa' user(sql server authentication).
Try running the query with windows Authentication.
SHORT VERSION
For allowing MS SQL server 2012 to attach the database files you must grant full access to the mdf and ldf files to:
NT Service\MSSQLSERVER
Full Access
LONG VERSION
SQL Security has been updated a lot in 2012 handling of files.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189128.aspx
If you look at the existing attached databases and there security you will probably see that there only are 2 roles allowed with full access. MSSQLSERVER and Administrators, when attached SQL Removes all other roles from the files.
Trying to set the MSSQLSERVER from the fil security Permission will not work.
Looking at your services.msc overview you will in a default install see that NT Service\MSSQLSERVER also runs the SQL server servics.
The service account is not visible, the same issue as with IIS AppPools, a sub group has been created by the system and "hides" the accounts from auto discovery, probably to try and secure the accounts but in my view just obscures the setup.
Regards Jan
Open the SQL Server Management Stdio in Administrator mode(Right click -> Select Run as Administrator. If it asks for User name and password enter your Administrator user name password). Then select Windows Authentication click ok, and now try to attache it will attache without any error.
This has nothing to do with YOUR account. SQL Server is trying to write to that folder under the context of the service account that is running SQL Server. You can see who this is by going to the Services applet and seeing who the instance runs as (probably NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM or whatever). You can override that or you can place your MDF files in the data folder, which SQL Server already has inherent access to, instead of placing them in this other location on your C:\ drive.
Another way to solve this is to change all the SQL Server services to Local System Account instead of services. Start -> Run ->Services.msc -> Scroll down to SQL Server, you should see five services that start with SQL Server. Right-Click, Properties, Log On, change to Local System Account. Repeat for all the rest of the SQL Server Services and restart them all.
Try This
Go to the folder where you have stored mdf file.
Select file -> Right click -> click on mdf give full permissions to file for logged in user Security.
If still issue persist and it might me because of corrupted transaction logs, you may use tool SQL Database Recovery Tool Repairs to repair your corrupted mdf file.
Figured it out. I went to sql server configuration manager and right clicked SQL Server Service. Then I added my Windows Admin account to run the service and now it works.

How can i test my TSQL syntax?

Quick question: How do I get some kind of database to use to test my SQL syntax and create basic data.
I have Sqlite Code which I'll soon put on a server. I have SQL Server 2008 installed with visual studio 2010. I tried connecting to the database and had no luck.
I also tried using an .mdf file instead thinking it's a file and I won't have connectivity issues. Wrong, I still couldn't connect and I used this site to help me (i'm aware its 2005)
In that case I used:
var conn = new SqlConnection(#"Server=.\SQLExpress;AttachDbFilename=C:\dev\src\test\SQL_DB_VS_Test\test.mdf;Database=dbo;Trusted_Connection=Yes;");
exception
Unable to open the physical file "C:\dev\src\test\SQL_DB_VS_Test\test.mdf".
Operating system error 5: "5(Access is denied.)".
Cannot attach the file 'C:\dev\src\test\SQL_DB_VS_Test\test.mdf' as database 'dbo'.
With trusted = no I get Login failed for user ''. (What user am I suppose to set?). I created the .mdf with Visual Studio somehow.
What if you try this connection string:
var conn = new SqlConnection(#"Server=.\SQLExpress;
AttachDbFilename=C:\dev\src\test\SQL_DB_VS_Test\test.mdf;
Database=test;Integrated Security=SSPI;");
I don't think it's a good idea to call your database "dbo" (that's a SQL Server keyword - I wouldn't use it for my own purposes!), and also I believe you need to use Integrated Security=SSPI; to define Windows authentication - Trusted_Connection is not used for SQL Server connection strings, AFAIK.
Have you tried using SSMS to access your local instance? It's helpful for getting connected and getting everything setup. Also, I think the default install of Sql Express with VS only support trusted connections.
After creating the mdf file with visual studios right click the mdf and select properties. In it you'll see a row called Connection String. Copy/paste it into your app and it should connect. The key part is User Instance=True