The GUI is "smart" to recover the latest backup. If you really look at the option, it is smart enough to show all backup chain.

Lets say if there is a...

Can you try adding the remote user under “Distributed COM users” group on the SQL server and check...

I agree with Suresh.

Below are supported type of Side-by-side installation.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143694.aspx

1. SQL Server ERRORLOG (if they are not recycled)

2. Application log (if they are not recycled)

If you have overwritten the database then no way else database creation date.

If you want to check Service pack level of SQL Sever "Select @@version" is the proper command.

{                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Microsoft SQL Server  2000 - 8.00.2191 (Intel X86)

 Dec  9 2004 23:00:00...

Lumigent Log Explorer can help.

You CANNOT restore SQL 2005 backup to SQL 2000.

Media is not backup.

Why don't you go for in-place upgarde? Its supported by Microsoft.

Refer "Upgrading an Existing Installation of SQL Server"

I am not sure if it is caused by hardware failure. Most possible YES.

How much RAM do you have? If you have more than 4 Gb of RAM and you...

I agree with David.

My findings shows that Enterprise Manager fires below query to get information about table.

exec sp_MStablespace N'<TableName>'

Now, this fires

SELECT @rows = convert(int, rowcnt)  

FROM dbo.sysindexes  

WHERE indid...

1. You can check SQL Error Logs to see if there is any restore operation happened or not.

2. I would suspect DTS or Restore operation. 

I don't think there is any "microsoft version" of your requirement. If anyone else knows, please let us know.

You are looking for a way to move the login from ServerA to ServerB ?

Did you try below?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/246133/en-us

Why don't you go with in-place upgarde?

there is no need to Uninstall-Reinstall.

Refer "Upgrading an Existing Installation of SQL Server" topic from SQL 2000 Books-online