Directly access database behind Sharepoint

You can install the SQL Tools, preferably on the server and then have access to the tables.

Be careful, very, very careful!

By the way, you need the Express Advanced edition to get the tools.  Be careful to only install the tools if you install on an box that has an installation, or you can do a full install if you specify a different instance.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5B5528B9-13E1-4DB9-A3FC-82116D598C3D&displaylang=en

Well, I do have sql server mgt. studio I use all the time on my machine, can I access it from that?

When I try to browse to the server from mgt. studio (it is a virtual server if that makes any difference) I get this msg:

Cannot connect to ALBANY-HD.
------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server.  When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)
For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=2&LinkId=20476 

 

SQL Server Express is'nt too good for MOSS because it has 4 GB DB limit. After install remote accessing disabled by default. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914277

Windows Internal database have not 4 GB limit but only accessible for MS Servers (eg. SharePoint).

I can now connect to the server, can anyone tell my what the DB name is I should be looking for?...