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SQL Server Management Studio Expired

I've read a few posts about people having this issue, but I wanted to get some things answered before I potentially jeapordize my data.

Here's the issue:
I have SQL Server running on my Windows Server. Today when I tried to open SQL Server Management Studio, I get an error message that reads: "Evaluation period has expired. For information on how to upgrade your evaluation software please go to http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy"

My web application that uses the SQL Server, seems to be pulling data just fine, so that's a good thing. So it seems that my Management Studio software is expired. Is there a way to just re-install that?

I'm not a DBA, but am playing one at the small company that I work for, so bear with me... I have to make sure that I do not loose the data. I don't really know SQL Server other that via Management Studio. A few questions before I try anything:

What file backups should I do before I touch anything? Is there a folder to back up that has all of my data? (I'm that clueless to SQL Server, sorry)

How can I see what version of SQL Server I'm running? And what version of Management Tools I need?

What software do I install to get Management Tools updated? It is not a stand-alone install is it? I have access to the following software:

SQL Server StreamInsight CTP2 (x64) - (English)
      8/17/2009       View       View       Download
7 (MB)


SQL Server StreamInsight CTP2 (x86) - (English)
      8/17/2009       View       View       Download
5 (MB)


SQL Server StreamInsight CTP2, License Terms - (English)
      8/17/2009       View       View       Download
0.148 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Report Builder 2.0, April 2009 (x86, x64) - (English)
      5/14/2009       View       View       Download
19 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Report Builder 2.0, April 2009 Readme (x86, x64) - (English)
      5/14/2009       View       View       Download
0.011 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1 (x64) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
104 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1 (x86) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
95 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (ia64) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
313 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (x64) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
324 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (x86) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
263 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor, April 2009 (ia64) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
11 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor, April 2009 (x64) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
9 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor, April 2009 (x86) - (English)
      4/9/2009       View       View       Download
9 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (x64) - EXE (English)
      9/13/2008       View       View       Download
546 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (x86) - EXE (English)
      9/12/2008       View       View       Download
503 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Developer (x86, x64, ia64) - DVD (English)
      8/5/2008       View       View       Download
3,106 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Enterprise (x86, x64, ia64) - DVD (English)
      8/5/2008       View       View       Download
3,106 (MB)


SQL Server 2008 Standard (x86, x64) - DVD (English)
      8/5/2008       View       View       Download
3,106 (MB)

Ephraim Wangoya

What version of SQL Server are you using?
Is it an evaluation version? - in which case you do have to purchase a full version

If you have a full version, then use the CD to re-install the management tools - should not affect your data

if you have an evaluation version and you are not going to have data larger than 10GB, then I suggest you download SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.

Ephraim Wangoya

Seems you do have the DVD

Use the DVD, when installing, only select Management Tools

JT_SIRO

ASKER

This is going to sound dumb, but where can I see what version of SQL Server it is running? I'm not sure if it is 08 or 08 R2...

JT_SIRO

ASKER

I'd also like to back everything up before I do a new install of Management Tools. Can you tell me which folders to back up?

Ephraim Wangoya

Go to start
All Programs
Microsoft SQL Server (Installed version)
Configuration Tools
SQL Server Configuration Manager

Right click on SQL Server and look at the properties
SQL-Properties.png

Ephraim Wangoya

You don't need to backup any folders, Just backup your databases

JT_SIRO

ASKER

Can you tell what version I'm running from this screen shot? I need to know which version I need to download (from the list in my 1st post) to get Management Tools installed. Thanks

sqlserver.PNG

JT_SIRO

ASKER

It looks like it's Express. Is the Management Tools included in these versions:
SQL Server 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1 (x86) - (English)
4/9/2009 View View Download
95 (MB)

OR

SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (x86) - EXE (English)
9/12/2008 View View Download
503 (MB)

Ephraim Wangoya

Yes it does
In that case, download from this site
http://www.microsoft.com/express/database/

JT_SIRO

ASKER

That version is for Express R2. Will that work with my instance of SQL Server? Also, will this install ever expire? I don't want to have the same problem in 6 months.

I'm still not confident in just trying to install this, and have it possibly overwrite my live data. If it doesn't go well, my whole site will go down. I may try to access the SQL Server remotely instead of messing with installs on the server itself.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Ephraim Wangoya

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