Move entire SQL instance from C:\ to D:\ directory....HELP !

  • Hi folks,
    I need to move my entire SQL instance from C to D drive, nothing can be on the C drive.
    1. Can you point me to a step by step direction paper ?
    2. Do I really need to uninstall SQL server, then reinstall on the D drive and then restore databases ?
    3. How do I handle the system databases, especially the master one ?

    Time is of the essence, and I would really appreciate your help, thank you very much

  • The links Mark posted will help you with moving the databases.  If you need to move the binaries as well, I don't know any other way than uninstalling and reinstalling.

    John

  • Uninstall. Reinstall

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • You can easily move the data and log files.  
    Moving the binaries/installation directories is a bit more difficult.   You can perform a "find and replace" in the registry to change the various locations. but the amount of places you have to change, coupled with the number of places you certainly will miss will probably take forever. 

    We are in the process of virtualiziing some old servers that are slowly being phased out.  We need to keep them alive for another 6 months or so.  The physical hardware is old and failing.  Re-boots were an adventure.
    I tried to move the binaries, and spent hours changing the registry.   SQL wouldn't start. More time figuring that out. 
    I gave up and un-installed and re-installed.  Less than an hour, and another hour or so moving the database, logins, etc.

    Michael L John
    If you assassinate a DBA, would you pull a trigger?
    To properly post on a forum:
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/61537/

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