Restoring a database from higher version to lower version SQL server
How to downgrade a database from higher version to lower version?
There is no direct way to do this like Backup/Restore. You can use an alternative ways.
The alternative ways are,
1. Generate Script
2. Import/Export
3. Transaction replication
You may use the alternative ways. It depends upon your environment.
Restore errors
A backup has taken from higher version (SQL 2008/2005)
BACKUP DATABASE dba_test TO DISK='E:\mu\dba_2008.bak'
Restore the backup to lower version (SQL 2005/2000)
RESTORE FILELISTONLY FROM DISK ='E:\mu\dba_2008.bak'
Restore error from SQL server 2005 to SQL server 2000
Server: Msg 3205, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Too many backup devices specified for backup or restore; only 64 are allowed.
Server: Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
RESTORE FILELIST is terminating abnormally.
Restore error from SQL server 2008 to SQL server 2005
Msg 3241, Level 16, State 7, Line 1
The media family on device ‘E:\mu\dba_2008.bak’ is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family.
Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
RESTORE FILELIST is terminating abnormally.
1. Generate Script with data 2008
2. Import/Export
Right click the database–> Tasks–> Export data–> Next–> choose the data source –>
Click next –> Finish
I hope this article will help someone.
