>I have SQL 2005 Express running on a Windows 2000 server operating system. The computer is going to be retired and replaced with a better machine but it will still run Windows 2000 server. I have never had to move any SQL 2005 databases from one computer to another. In this case, all databases (about a dozen) will need to be moved to the new machine. Can someone point me to an article that gives you step by step instructions and doesn't assme you know anything about this type type of migration/move operation?
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>Thanks,
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>Robert

Robert,
There are many ways to copy and/or move databases from one server to another. One of the procedures is Copy Database wizard. Here though I want to give one the ways that I find easiest and use from time to time to move my test databases from work to home (and back home to work - no one else is working with data):

-Open SQL server management studio (SSMS)
-Connect to instance
-Expand databases tab
-Right click on a database and select 'Detach' ( make a note of the filenames' path and name)
-Do detaching for each database you want to move
-After detaching is complete, copy the files on a medium for transferring (say an external USB disk)
-On target server, open SSMS
-Connect to instance
-Right click databases tab and select 'Attach' - do not attach anything yet, just click 'Add' and make a note of the "data" location and cancel
-Copy the databases you transferred on medium to that location
-Now right click on databases tab and 'Attach' them one by one

I think it is not worth to seek after a programmatic solutions because it would be completed manually in less time than writing these steps:)

PS: Using this method server level properties are not transferred if any (ie: there is a user in db mapped to a special login would need your defining the login again).

Cetin