Restore SQL2008 database to SQL2005

  • Hi,

    As the heading says I need to restore SQL2008 database to SQL2005. Now before y'll start bashing me, I have set the database compatibility level to SQL2005 but I am still getting errors when restoring.

    Thought the whole point of compatibility was to make sure it can also be used in previous versions!

    Is there anyway at all to make the backup file SQL2005 compatible?

    Anyone has any solutions?

    Cheers 🙂


    Kindest Regards,

    WRACK
    CodeLake

  • Nope, There is no way to restore it onto a lower version. SQL server never downgrades a database to a lower version. the only option here we have got is to script out your database and run it against 2008 server.

  • Compatibility mode is so that older or deprecated code continues to work on the new server, not so you can move backwards. Once it's formatted on the 2008 system, it's a 2008 database, even when running in 2005 compatibility mode.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • Thanks guyz. I had a feeling that this is the case. I just didn't wanted to start out upgrading the production server since we are still testing the code on the dev server.

    I have learned my lesson and will bite the bullet to do some manual grunt work since I can't just script the data due to it's nature.

    Cheers 🙂


    Kindest Regards,

    WRACK
    CodeLake

  • Take a look al SSIS's copy database objects task. I've used that before to 'downgrade' a database.

    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

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