Question

HowTo View MDF / LDF File Pair

Asked by: DrTribos

Ok - here is an opportunity for someone to explain to me things in very *simple* terms!!

I have two files which I believe to be significant parts of a database.  The files are:

FileName.mdf
FileName_log.ldf

I googled for a viewer and came up with "SQL Manager 2008" - I have no idea what this is.  I thought it was a database program like MS Access but I have found no way to view the above mentioned files.  

Can someone pls talk me through this step-by-step  <-- advanced warning I'm a total newbie!!

So you know - I am wanting to get some idea as to the structure of the database

Thanks, Steve

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Asked On
2009-08-25 at 23:28:39ID24682235
Tags

sql

,

database

Topics

Databases Miscellaneous

,

SQL Server 2008

,

SQL Server 2005

Participating Experts
2
Points
300
Comments
26

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Answers

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:33:04ID: 25184859

Hi Steve,

Have a look at this similar question
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Databases/Microsoft_SQL_Server/Q_20870452.html

Good Luck!

Gary

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:36:20ID: 25184873

Also have a look at the SQL Server Management Studio Tutorial
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms167593(SQL.90).aspx

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:38:13ID: 25184884

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:44:09ID: 25184910

Hi Gary

Thank you.  Please believe me when I say I've been reading stuff all day in an attempt to get this figured out.  I guess firstly (before reading any more) I'd just like to know if it would be possible for me armed with no more than Win XP and an internet connection to view the contents of these files.

That said - I read the thread you linked to in your 1st comment and am none the wiser as to whether I can view these files.  Although I do have a better understanding of what they are :-)

Re the link in the 2nd comment, I am ignorant as to whether this is the same as "SQL Manager 2008"...

keep the comments coming - we'll get there :-)

Cheers, S

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:48:49ID: 25184926

Hi Gary

Ok - I can't help myself and continued reading.  Your link in comment 3 is similar to other information that I have found; namely enter the following:

sp_attach_single_file_db @dbname= 'ENTER_DB_NAME', @physname= 'SOMEDRIVE:\SOME\LOCATION\TO\THE\DATABASEFILE.mdf'

I am also ignorant as to which buttons must be clicked to bring up some sort of dialogue box so that I may enter this information...

Thanks again, Steve

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:49:03ID: 25184930

The files are the core file for SQL Server. You need to set up/join a SQL Server Database to work with them.

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:55:08ID: 25184949

So I downloaded EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server Freeware from http://sqlmanager.net/products/mssql/manager/

EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server Freeware (EMS SQL Manager Lite for SQL Server) is a light and easy-to-use freeware graphical tool for Microsoft SQL Server database development and administration. It has the minimal required set of tools for those users who are new to SQL Server and need only its basic functionality. Being a light edition, SQL Manager Freeware has certain restrictions, for example, it can handle not more than 5 databases, and some others.

What next?

(sorry - I'm accutely aware that this may be like pulling teeth)

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-25 at 23:59:46ID: 25184964

BTW I downloaded the ~6 Meg program as opposed to the ~60 Meg program... should I get the larger program?

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:01:09ID: 25184969

Pulling Teeth is easy!
You'd need to install SQL Server before that: http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/default.aspx

I'd recommend if you know anybody that can help you do that, or if anybody that has a Server set up & can just add your files so that you can view them...

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:24:42ID: 25185053

SOL - I don't know anybody who would have this set up...

I've started the download... I'm assuming that SQL Server 2008 is backwards compatible...  (thinking back to the last time someone sent me a .docx file)

...
...
...

S

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:28:44ID: 25185064

Good Luck!...We're not talking about installing Office here.

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:33:31ID: 25185085

How much worse can it get?

(at least I have managed to install office a few times with no issues)

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:35:56ID: 25185094

How much worse can it get?

We'll see! :>
People do week long courses, on how to install SQL Server!

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:38:52ID: 25185105

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:47:37ID: 25185146

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:54:38ID: 25185189

**  How much worse can it get?

*  We'll see! :>
*  People do week long courses, on how to install SQL Server!

LOL - you're not being very encouraging!!!

Now I've lost my download!!  :-(  

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 00:55:51ID: 25185195

Go Steve Go!!!

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-26 at 04:43:29ID: 25186457

Thank you for your encouragement - I feel much better now!!

Besides, I find it hard to believe that Microsoft would release a product that was not intuitive and easy to install... ;-)

So, anyway I had to restart my computer and my download reappeared! Will keep you posted.  It's nearing bed time now (I have a curfew).

Ciao, S

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 04:45:16ID: 25186473

Sweet Dreams :>

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-26 at 16:23:15ID: 25193300

Ok - I see what you mean!

Is it not possible to get some sort of viewer that does not require a week long course to install - all I want to do is get a feel for the data contained within these files and if possible the structure...

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-26 at 22:53:46ID: 25194968

Sorry you need to have access to an SQL Server to view the files.

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2009-08-26 at 22:59:31ID: 25194990

>>Is it not possible to get some sort of viewer that does not require a week long course to install<<
Let me out it to you succinctly: No.

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-27 at 02:26:06ID: 25196004

Ok then... on with the show...

I opened the "installation centre";  used the "system configuration checker" (all good); check the minimum requirements (still on track); then selected the stand alone installation.

Guess what!? It tells me to browse for the installation media.  WTF??  Is this normal? Shouldn't it know where to find these files - taking into consideration the fact that I first had to download a special MicroSoft installation platform thing to get the main installation working...

If this is normal, is there a specific file I should navigate to?

Cheers, S

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-27 at 02:48:46ID: 25196111

You should now open a new question, relating to installing SQL Server.

Good Luck!
Gary

 

by: DrTribosPosted on 2009-08-27 at 04:01:46ID: 31620553

Thanks for sticking with me Gary, I'm not entirely sure that I will be starting that next question - will see if I can make a friend with someone who already has this installed on their computer.

Cheers & Sweet Dreams :-P

Steve

 

by: tbsgadiPosted on 2009-08-27 at 04:17:46ID: 25196608

Wishing you the best of luck in whichever direction you take!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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