Business Contact Manager - MDF and LDF file restore in Windows 7

[RickRoyston]

I have just upgraded from Vista (32-bit) to Windows 7 (64-bit). Although I
carefully backed up all my data files, I was unaware that I was supposed to
create a specific data backup file from within Business Contact Manager. As a
result, I am unable to restore my Business Contact Manager database. I am the
sole user of the computer with full administrator rights. The computer is an
HP Pavilion desktop, with 4GB RAM and 500GB hard drive. It is not on a
network.

I have tried to restore my data using various methods that I've found in
these posts and elsewhere, including
- running an SQL script;
- creating a new database and replacing the new MDF and LDF files with my
old ones renamed;
- changing permissions on the Business Contact Manager folders and files;
- Starting Outlook in Administrator mode; and
- reinstalling Business Contact Manager.

None of these methods has worked. The drop-down box in 'Create or Select a
Database' shows only the name of the empty database I have just created. If I
replace the MDF and LDF files with my old data files renamed, nothing appears
in the drop-down box. And I get an error message.

I cannot be the only upgrader from Vista to Windows 7 who was unaware that a
specific backup file has to be created from in Business Contact Manager
before migrating,

Can anybody help?

 

[Vanessa]

I am dealing with the same problem. So frustrating. If I can figure it out, I
will be sure to post it here... so far, no luck.

 

[RickRoyston]

Remarkably, I've now solved the problem, thanks to Hari at
http://dbaspot.com/forums/sqlserver-faq/230596-attach-sql2005-database-different-directory.html

I followed Hari's directions and did the following:

Use SQL Server configuration manager from SQL Server 2005 program
goups...There select sql server 2005 services and choose sql server service
and see the Logon account.
If the account is not local system then change it to Local system and then
restart the service and see if the attch works. If it works then give the
necessary previlages to the
toher account and restart the service and see if the attach works fromm D
Drive..

The I gave my old MDF and LDF files the same names as my new, empty, BCM
files. When I restarted Outlook with BCM, it worked perfectly and I had all
my data back.

Needless to say, I immediately created a backup from within BCM. Then I
wrote to thank Hari.

- Rick
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Mike]

Hi Rick,

I saw your post and your solution i am having the exact same problem,
problem is, im having some trouble finding the right files and
understanding the steps in laymen terms. I was hoping you could take
the time to break down the steps for me ...

Here's where i am:

I backed up everything to a seagate external drive, (before win 7)
my files also got copied to the windows(old) file,
i found an old back-up (which i did from within BCM in April), but
that data is too old

I figured out how to get into the sql server configuration manager,
but i dont know what to do from there...

How do I rename and create a Database for the MDF files (Do i need to
do this?)

can you take me through the steps on what files i should be looking
for and what i need to be doing to them.

Any help is appreciated, i thank you in advance

Mike

mikeOn Nov 19, 5:39 pm, RickRoyston