Detaching and attaching databases

When a database is used by MSDE database server, it is locked: you are not able to even view into it, nor make a copy of it. This is due to data protection reasons. Detach operation will break the link between the database server and data files, while attach will rebuild this link again.

Detaching database files

You can detach a database from the database server, and this way it will stop using it. Now you can make an exact copy of the database, or delete the database files, if these become unnecessary.

To detach a database from the server, click Local Database Server icon at the left, then select Detach a database file task from the right.

A detach wizard appears. Enter 'sa' database administrator name and your password to local database server, then click Next.

Note: Default database server password is hlpwd2005 for the HyperLab 2005 product line.

A database selection page appears now. Select the database you want to detach, then click Next.

Click Finish to close the wizard.

Attaching database files

If you have a previously saved data file – log file pair, you can attach them to your local database server.

To attach a database to the MSDE database server, click Local Database Server icon at the left, then select 'Attach a database file' task from the right.

A detach wizard appears. Enter 'sa' database administrator name and your password to local database server, then click Next.

Note: Default database server password is 'hlpwd2005' for HyperLab 2005 product line.

A database file selection page appears now. When you successfully selected the MDF file, the wizard will automatically fill up the LOG file name field as well as the descriptive database name. Change the LOG file name if it does not match your real file name. You can also modify the descriptive database name. When you are ready, click Next.

Click Finish to close the wizard.