to move mdf and ldf files

to move databases within a instance can also be done to move to another instance:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/224071

note: you can only move to same or higher version, you cannot go backwards

One more suggestion.
If u dont want to stop database then u can take backup and just restore in new server.

just try to copy these mdf and ldf file to new server and try to attach. see if it works.
ELSE
just backup and resotre on new server.

HTH
Vinay

You need to stop the server first.
then move datafiles.

Sory....

For using attach & detach method, u no need to stop the server.

Sory....

For using attach & detach method, u no need to stop the server.

>You need to stop the server first.
surely not. because if you stop the server and move the files, the original server will not know where his files are gone.
using detach method will make sure the server does know that they are no longer under it's responsibilities.

you could, of course, stop the server, and COPY the files ...

I got the database file mdf and ldf with respect to database in sql Express and I copied them to the server on which sql server 2005 is installed..now I want to move them to the E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data..in this case, should we need to stop MS Sql Service on the new server sql 2005 server?

No....

you no need to stop.

You can directly moved.

You need to stop server only if you are trying directly without detachig data files.

You need to stop server only if you are trying to move data files directly without detachig data files.

ok I copied them to the E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data now how will I create this database on this server?