How can I open a .mdf file in access

[Alex.Hellier]

Hi,

We have an old SQL server here which has died a horrible death and I need to get the data it contains out!

I have the .MDF files etc but I cannot seem to open them or import them in microsoft access.

I dont need to do anything flashy with it, just look at the tables!

Can anyone help?

Thanks

 

[WayneRyan]

Alex,

Access is not SQL Server. You are going to have to open the .MDF with
SQL Server. The .MDF and .LDF file formats are specific to SQL Server.

You can still download a free version of SQL Server from Microsoft.
At least I think you can.

I'll check and post back.

Wayne

 

[Alex.Hellier]

Hi Wayne

Thanks for the help.

Our server is still sort of running but I cannot get any new connections to it.

I have the datafiles just need to get the data out somehow!!!

eeeek.

 

[WayneRyan]

Alex,

How big's the .MDF? Can you post it?

Wayne

 

[Alex.Hellier]

Its about 66mb and I wouldnt be able to send it to anyone as it has members information in it

Alex

 

[Alex.Hellier]

*bumpety bump*

 

[leemorris2005]

why not burn the files onto a cd, take it home, install the sqlserver 2000 trial on it from microsoft and get everything off that way? you can download the 180 day trial from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...E1-F44C-4781-A6BB-F60E02DC1335&displaylang=en

Thats what I would do anyway.

 

[Alex.Hellier]

OK, am a bit miffed how to export the data from the server now - I can see the tables etc but am now lost

thanks for all your help.

 

[Pat Hartman]

I take that to mean that you have SQL Server installed and have been able to port the .mdf file. In that case, create a new Access database and import the tables into it. You can then take the Access database full of data back to the office.

 

[Alex.Hellier]

I take that to mean that you have SQL Server installed and have been able to port the .mdf file. In that case, create a new Access database and import the tables into it. You can then take the Access database full of data back to the office.

I have tried doing this but I cant get my head round it, the old server still works but I cannot connect to it (i'm new to this - sorry)

Is there a way I can export the data to a .csv or something?

 

[Pat Hartman]

Aren't we back where we started? It feels like we're in a tight loop. Did you install the evaluation copy of SQL Server, did you install the SQL Express product. Either of these will give you a WORKING SQL Server. Once you have a working server, you can do what you want with the .mdf file. I don't work with the SQL Enterprise manager often so I'm not familiar with what tools it might contain to facilitate this export. I would create a new Access database, link to the database I created with the WORKING SQL server product. Once that is done, you can easily export the data in whatever format you want from Access.

 

[Alex.Hellier]

ok that makes a bit more sense

I shall try that when I get a chance

Thanks

 

[jsanders]

So what ever happened?

 

[Alex.Hellier]

I havent had a chance to even look at it - the joys of summer in a leaisure centre.

I shall try when the kids go back to school!!!!

 

[Alex.Hellier]

Just to let you know installing SQL server on a spare pc here and adding the MDF file to it (after a search round to find out how to do that!) worked, I can now access the database via access which is marvelous

Thanks for all your help

Alex