Moving a SQL Server 2005 database file to a different drive

Yes, you do a backup in SQL Server Studio (right click on database, select Tasks-->backup) and backup to a file.

 then delete the database (select database and press delete)

You then do a restore in SQL Server studio,
and under options in the restore window, change the path to whatever path you want the files to be.

I agree with both options above (except that for the backup/restore method, you do NOT need to delete the database between the backup and the restore ...).
I prefer the backup/restore method, as it is much safer, as you have a backup !

Use detach/attach

FROM http://support.microsoft.com/kb/224071


Moving user databases
The following example moves a database that is named mydb. This database contains one data file, Mydb.mdf, and one log file, Mydblog.ldf. If the database that you are moving has more data files or log files, specify the files in a comma-delimited list in the sp_attach_db stored procedure. The sp_detach_db procedure does not change regardless of how many files the database contains because the sp_detach_db procedure does not list the files.
1.      Detach the database as follows:

use master
   go
   sp_detach_db 'mydb'
   go

2.      Next, copy the data files and the log files from the current location (D:\Mssql7\Data) to the new location (E:\Sqldata).
3.      Re-attach the database. Point to the files in the new location as follows:

use master
  go
  sp_attach_db 'mydb','E:\Sqldata\mydbdata.mdf','E:\Sqldata\mydblog.ldf'
  go

Verify the change in file locations by using the sp_helpfile stored procedure:

use mydb
   go
   sp_helpfile
   go

The filename column values should reflect the new locations.
Note Microsoft Knowledge Base article 922804 describes an issue for SQL Server 2005 databases on a network-attached storage. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
922804 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922804/) FIX: After you detach a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database that resides on network-attached storage, you cannot reattach the SQL Server database
Consider this issue. Additionally, consider the permissions that are applied to a database when it is detached in SQL Server 2005. For more information, see the "Detaching and Attaching a Database" section of the "Securing Data and Log Files" topic in SQL Server Books Online. To view this topic, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189128.aspx

When doing the backup and restore approach for moving an SQL datbase, does the server need to be stopped during the bACKUP/RESTORE?

oboe45:
please create your own question
angelIII, zone advisor