Getting data from MDF File

[Joe]

Hi

I have the following problem.

There is a computer running MSDE. This computer has a MDF file.

I'm trying to get this external data. When I use ODBC option in the Get Data
Dialog, I have to create a new DSN and I have to choose SQL Driver.

When this is set, I have to provide the Server Name.

There is no Server.

How can I import this data?

Where can I learn about this process?

Thanks

Joe

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

The server is your own computer's name.

 

[aaron.kempf]

There is no server?

You need to install SQL Server MSDE 2.0 or Express in order to get to
the MDF data.

It is called a server database.

With .NET 2.0 it is possible to use a 'user connection' to connect to
a MDF without 'registering it with a server'.
But either way, you'll still need SQL 2005 Express to do this.

-Aaron

 

[George]

Can you elaborate a little, please?

The poster states that "There is a computer running MSDE. This computer has
a MDF file."

So, apparently he DOES have MSDE Installed, doesn't he? And there is a
database file (MDF) installed there.

So, 'm puzzled by your response "you need to install SQL Server MSDE 2.0 or
Express", because, well, because he does already have MSDE installed
according to him.

But then you go on to state, "But either way, you'll still need SQL 2005
Express to do this.", which directly contradicts your first statement that
it could be one or the other.

It's confusing enough trying to sort all of this stuff out, anyway, so it
might be helpful if you could explain what you really meant to say.


Thanks.





There is no server?

You need to install SQL Server MSDE 2.0 or Express in order to get to
the MDF data.

It is called a server database.

With .NET 2.0 it is possible to use a 'user connection' to connect to
a MDF without 'registering it with a server'.
But either way, you'll still need SQL 2005 Express to do this.

-Aaron

 

[aaron.kempf]

George;

I _REALLY_ don't have any idea.. which part you're not following.

a) with .NET 2.0 is it possible to use a 'user connection' to connect
to a MDF without 'registering it with a server'. But either way,
you'll still need SQL 2005 Express to do this.

How is that _NOT_ a complete sentence?

Seriously-- please explain to me.

How is that _NOT_ entirely factual??

Oh let me guess-- you don't know what a 'user connection' is.
(that is why I explained-- it is possible to use a 'user connection'
to connect to a MDF without 'registering it with a server'.

If you don't know what it means to 'register a database with a server'
then you probably should learn.
It's called DETACH / ATTACH.

You should try it sometime!! It's loads of fun!

Now let me digest a little bit more:

b) There is a computer running MSDE. This computer has a MDF file.

So. Mister George-- do you not follow this?

'THERE IS A COMPUTER' vs 'THIS COMPUTER'.

In other words-- he has a SQL Server database file. That is _NOT_ on
the db server. So.. uh.. he needs to _PUT_ it on the database server.

Get it? ??

I thought that I was being quite succint, personally.

-Aaron

 

[George]

Interesting response, but not to the point at all.

For what it's worth, I do feel sorry for you and will no longer add to your
frustration by suggesting that you provide iternally consistent, coherent,
relevant answers.




George;

I _REALLY_ don't have any idea.. which part you're not following.

a) with .NET 2.0 is it possible to use a 'user connection' to connect
to a MDF without 'registering it with a server'. But either way,
you'll still need SQL 2005 Express to do this.

How is that _NOT_ a complete sentence?

Seriously-- please explain to me.

How is that _NOT_ entirely factual??

Oh let me guess-- you don't know what a 'user connection' is.
(that is why I explained-- it is possible to use a 'user connection'
to connect to a MDF without 'registering it with a server'.

If you don't know what it means to 'register a database with a server'
then you probably should learn.
It's called DETACH / ATTACH.

You should try it sometime!! It's loads of fun!

Now let me digest a little bit more:

b) There is a computer running MSDE. This computer has a MDF file.

So. Mister George-- do you not follow this?

'THERE IS A COMPUTER' vs 'THIS COMPUTER'.

In other words-- he has a SQL Server database file. That is _NOT_ on
the db server. So.. uh.. he needs to _PUT_ it on the database server.

Get it? ??

I thought that I was being quite succint, personally.

-Aaron

 

[aaron_kempf]

George;

How is it not 'to the point'?

I say move it to a SQL Server instance. Really straight forward.

I have the answer.
You're just babbling nonsense.

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[George]

Aaron:

There really is NO point trying to help you understand, so I'm not going to
waste any more of my time at it. In any event, it doesn't help the poster
get an answer to his question to pursue that line of discussion, and I'm
sorry I introduced that distraction into the discussion. It was a disservice
to the poster.

Of course, the poster might have been able to figure out what he needed to
do, just by reading Arvin's post. Let's hope so, shall we? After all, that's
why we're all here--trying to offer assistance to others.

Along the same lines, and odd as it may sound, I am actually beginning to
feel sorry for you lately. I had hoped that your enforced hiatus from
posting in the newsgroups would have granted you the opportunity to reflect
on how that unfortunate experience came to pass, and that you would adopt a
more measured and thoughtful approach when you were permitted to resume
posting. It's disheartening to see that that experience did nothing to move
you in a more positive direction in your life.

For my part, I promise to avoid your posts if at all possible from now on.

However, I would like to ask that you do something for yourself as well:
Take whatever steps you can to get your anger under control. Do whatever you
need to do to move beyond retaliation, recrimination and the like. I can
assure you that life has many, many good things to offer and most of them
are far more enjoyable when you greet them with a smile on your lips. Who
knows, there may even come a time when you will be able to offer valuable
assistance to the posters who come to the newsgroups. Come to think of it,
if you could learn how to do that, I'll bet it would REALLY p*ss some people
off.

George




George;

How is it not 'to the point'?

I say move it to a SQL Server instance. Really straight forward.

I have the answer.
You're just babbling nonsense.

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[George]

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.


Buddha

 

[aaron.kempf]

Aaron:

There really is NO point trying to help you understand, so I'm not
going to
waste any more of my time at it. In any event, it doesn't help the
poster
get an answer to his question to pursue that line of discussion, and
I'm
sorry I introduced that distraction into the discussion. It was a
disservice
to the poster.

-- YOU are the one that needs the understanding. In the classic sense-
you need to register a MDF file with a DB server in order to get to
the data. Hence the benefits of a database _SERVER_.

Of course, the poster might have been able to figure out what he
needed to
do, just by reading Arvin's post. Let's hope so, shall we? After all,
that's
why we're all here--trying to offer assistance to others.

-- I am here to offer assistance. Most of the other people are in
this group to spread mis-information about SQL Server. Most of the
other people in this group are here to harrass me. I believe that
there are actually anti-MAFIA regulations that should be used to stop
the widespread harrassment in this group.

Along the same lines, and odd as it may sound, I am actually beginning
to
feel sorry for you lately. I had hoped that your enforced hiatus from
posting in the newsgroups would have granted you the opportunity to
reflect
on how that unfortunate experience came to pass, and that you would
adopt a
more measured and thoughtful approach when you were permitted to
resume
posting. It's disheartening to see that that experience did nothing to
move
you in a more positive direction in your life.

-- There wasn't an unfortunate experience. I got assaulted by a bunch
of dirty lying cops. Nothing else to it. I had a deal with the pig
to come in and talk about it on date _X_. Asshole cop came blazing
into my company-- MY SECOND JOB THAT I GOT FIRED FROM THIS CRAP-- even
though I had an appointment with him.

For my part, I promise to avoid your posts if at all possible from now
on.

-- Sounds great.

However, I would like to ask that you do something for yourself as
well:
Take whatever steps you can to get your anger under control. Do
whatever you
need to do to move beyond retaliation, recrimination and the like. I
can
assure you that life has many, many good things to offer and most of
them
are far more enjoyable when you greet them with a smile on your lips.
Who
knows, there may even come a time when you will be able to offer
valuable
assistance to the posters who come to the newsgroups. Come to think of
it,
if you could learn how to do that, I'll bet it would REALLY p*ss some
people
off.

-- I don't have an anger problem. I am a victim of harrassment in this
group. They took it into the real world. I refuse to be bullied into
submission.

I do offer valuable advice. Most of the people around here just start
flaming me when they see me spell SQL.

Seriously-- Does everyone need to run around 'oh don't listen to this
guy he likes SQL Server'.

SCREW THAT. I WILL NO LONGER BE BULLIED INTO SUBMISSION.

I'm the only certified person on this group. I'm a certified Database
Adminstrator for SQL Server 2005. I've got 4 years fulltime with
Analysis Services.

I don't retaliate.

I get flamed 24x7.

Dirty ass frat boy cops-- and their MVP butt buddies.. Can lick my
nuts.

Sorry

I didn't need to change-- nothing broken in the first place. Except a
couple of assholes that harrass me 24x7.

George

 

[aaron.kempf]

and again- for the record-- the OP differentiates between 'this
machine' and 'some machine'.

'Some machine has MSDE' and 'this machine has a MDF file'.

Do the math. The MSDE isn't on the local machine.
Typing the local computer name probably won't help anyone.

Typing the name of the _SERVER_ in the text box that says SERVER NAME
might help wonders.

Of course-- I helped-- and I had 10 people attack me- for volunteering
SQL Server help when asked.

-Aaron