how do I downgrade a database from version 2008 to 2005

  • I have a database in a SQL server 2008 instance, that I have been able to change the compatibility level to 90, but when I detach and then try to reattach the files I get the following message:

    The database 'XXXXX' cannot be opened because it is version 661. The Server supports version 612 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

    Could not open new database 'FNDEMO'. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error:948).

    An alter database that sets the compatibility level, doesn't seem to actually change the version required to attach.

    Can anyone shed some light on this form me?

    Thanks in Advance.

    --Chris

  • The compatibilty level does not change the version of the database, it changes the sort of commands that can be issued against the database. Every DB attached to 2008 will be a 2008 db.

    To downgrade you will need to script out all your tables, procs, views etc.. and all the data in them and then apply these to the 2005 instance.

    There are tools avaiable to help with this process, such Sql compare and data compare from redgate

  • Thanks Steve.

  • Hi Chris

    You can Script Database and its objects and run on a SQL2005 server, as per steveb, then import data form SQL2008 database to your SQL2005 database.

    Ali
    MCTS SQL Server2k8

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