Newbie Question - Patience Required - restoring .bak

  • I'm so new at this so patience is essential. A guy who used to work in my school made a database in SQL of all the student information. We're migrating this information to a new program, and I'm trying to get it back. I have a bunch of database files, but most importantly, i have some .bak files. I installed MS SQL 2005 on my XP machine for the sole purpose of restoring the backup, and then exporting to Excel. That's where I'm stuck. I dont know how to do that. I've been reading through documentation, and going through the menus in SQL Server Management Studio, but I seem to bring the file in. Can someone point me in the right direction?

  • This is assuming that's a full database backup you have there.

    Open object explorer (F8), connect to your server.

    Expand out the server until you see the folder Databases.

    Right click -> restore database...

    Under destination for restore, type in a name you want for the DB. Doesn't have to be the same as the db had initially.

    under source for restore, select From Device, then browse to the file.

    In the list view, you should see a backup set. Check the check box.

    Go to the options pane.

    You'll see in the middle a list of files that will be restored. Make sure the paths listed there exist on the machine you're restoring to. If not, change them.

    Click OK and wait.

    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
  • Thanks Gail! Much appreciated. I created a new database, and did the restore. It seems to have restored successfully.

    Now how do I view the data that has been entered into the DB? Ideally, I would get it into a csv or excel file, but even if i could just view it that would be a huge success.

    I hope this next step was as simple as the first.

    thanks again

    andrew

  • Not quite as simple.

    Right click the DB, Tasks -> Export Data

    Work through the various steps of the wizard. If you have problems, shout.

    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
  • Hey thanks so much. I actually had tried that before, but I messed up part of the process in the wizard. I appreciate your patience and help.

    andrew

  • ...and those of us who mostly lurk also appreciate the many contributions of folks like Gail. Thanks and hats off!

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