How do I reconnect the database files after a system crash?

[Richard Peters]

After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I

had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,

that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover

recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).

I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM

again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a

way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.

How do I fix this?

Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account

name are the same as before the hard disk crash?

I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.

 

[John]

Hi Richard,

Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft

\Business Contact Manager\" and try again. Let me know if it works

for you.

Good luck,

John

On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters

<RichardPet...> wrote:
> After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).

> I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.

> How do I fix this?

> Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> name are the same as before the hard disk crash?

> I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.

 

[Richard Peters]

Thanks, John.

I've been able to solve the problem - which is a great relief.

Although I had already tried what you suggested, I tried once more. And

again, And again. Doing so, I tried several different ways to copy, connect,

attach etc., start BCM again, and so on, each time with different error

statements. This made me realise how hilariously complex and intransparant

this whole SQL database management thing is to a layman like myself. Maybe MS

should rename Office for Small Business into "Office for SQL specialists".

After quite a lot of extra tries and alterations, and when I least expected

to get a good result al all, it suddenly worked. For the first time, SQL

Server Management Studio Express actually offered me a chance to attach my

"old" database. My heart jumped after restarting BCM: all my data showed up!

Thanks for encouraging me to keep trying.

Philosophical question: Don't you find it impractical that we cannot

automate the backing up of these database files? It seems that the only way

to be protected from data loss is to daily remember to make the backup from

within BCM, which is a manual action that is likely to be forgotten. I'll try

to do better from now on, but nevertheless I feel that this is a great

omission in the usability and security of BCM - especially as BCM is meant

for small businesses like mine and not for bigger companies that can hire

skilled specialists who can take care of these things.

"John" wrote:


> Hi Richard,

> Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> \Business Contact Manager\" and try again. Let me know if it works
> for you.
> Good luck,
> John

> On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
> > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
> > How do I fix this?
> > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
> > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.

>

 

[Luther Blissett]

On Mar 11, 3:14 am, Richard Peters

<RichardPet...> wrote:
> Thanks, John.

> I've been able to solve the problem - which is a great relief.

> Although I had already tried what you suggested, I tried once more. And
> again, And again. Doing so, I tried several different ways to copy, connect,
> attach etc., start BCM again, and so on, each time with different error
> statements. This made me realise how hilariously complex and intransparant
> this whole SQL database management thing is to a layman like myself. Maybe MS
> should rename Office for Small Business into "Office for SQL specialists"..

> After quite a lot of extra tries and alterations, and when I least expected
> to get a good result al all, it suddenly worked. For the first time, SQL
> Server Management Studio Express actually offered me a chance to attach my
> "old" database. My heart jumped after restarting BCM: all my data showed up!

> Thanks for encouraging me to keep trying.

> Philosophical question: Don't you find it impractical that we cannot
> automate the backing up of these database files? It seems that the only way
> to be protected from data loss is to daily remember to make the backup from
> within BCM, which is a manual action that is likely to be forgotten. I'lltry
> to do better from now on, but nevertheless I feel that this is a great
> omission in the usability and security of BCM - especially as BCM is meant
> for small businesses like mine and not for bigger companies that can hire
> skilled specialists who can take care of these things.

> "John" wrote:
> > Hi Richard,
>
> > Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> > \Business Contact Manager\" and try again.  Let me know if it works
> > for you.
> > Good luck,
> > John
>
> > On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> > <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months.(Yes,
> > > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
>
> > > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
>
> > > How do I fix this?
>
> > > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
>
> > > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.-



Windows provides a way to schedule backups, and so backup data for all

applications at one time. That way you don't have to schedule backups

in each application. BCM's help docs could indicate how to do this.

 

[Richard Peters]

Hi Luther,

Unfortunately, MS only supports BCM's built-in backup method. There's no

description whatsoever on how to use anu other method, like the ones you seem

to suggest. That's exactly why I such a huge problem to restore my database

files.

You see, I do make normal back up's of all my files, including thes databse

files, but when it comes to restoring the database files backed up that way,

MS leaves me in the blind. It's not supported and thus not described in any

way. MS clearly states that using the built-in back-up method is the only

right way and supported way. MS even goes so far as to advice BCM users that

they put a daily reminder in their Outlook tasks so they don't forget to

start the built-in back-up procedure.

I would be thankful to anyone that would explain to me how to automate these

back-ups.

Richard

"Luther Blissett" wrote:


> On Mar 11, 3:14 am, Richard Peters
> <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > Thanks, John.
> > I've been able to solve the problem - which is a great relief.
> > Although I had already tried what you suggested, I tried once more. And
> > again, And again. Doing so, I tried several different ways to copy, connect,
> > attach etc., start BCM again, and so on, each time with different error
> > statements. This made me realise how hilariously complex and intransparant
> > this whole SQL database management thing is to a layman like myself. Maybe MS
> > should rename Office for Small Business into "Office for SQL specialists"..
> > After quite a lot of extra tries and alterations, and when I least expected
> > to get a good result al all, it suddenly worked. For the first time, SQL
> > Server Management Studio Express actually offered me a chance to attach my
> > "old" database. My heart jumped after restarting BCM: all my data showed up!
> > Thanks for encouraging me to keep trying.
> > Philosophical question: Don't you find it impractical that we cannot
> > automate the backing up of these database files? It seems that the only way
> > to be protected from data loss is to daily remember to make the backup from
> > within BCM, which is a manual action that is likely to be forgotten. I'll try
> > to do better from now on, but nevertheless I feel that this is a great
> > omission in the usability and security of BCM - especially as BCM is meant
> > for small businesses like mine and not for bigger companies that can hire
> > skilled specialists who can take care of these things.
> > "John" wrote:
> > > Hi Richard,
> >
> > > Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> > > \Business Contact Manager\" and try again. Let me know if it works
> > > for you.
> > > Good luck,
> > > John
> >
> > > On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> > > <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > > > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > > > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > > > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > > > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
> >
> > > > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > > > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > > > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
> >
> > > > How do I fix this?
> >
> > > > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > > > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
> >
> > > > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.-
>

> Windows provides a way to schedule backups, and so backup data for all
> applications at one time. That way you don't have to schedule backups
> in each application. BCM's help docs could indicate how to do this.
>

 

[Luther Blissett]

On Mar 11, 8:46 am, Richard Peters

<RichardPet...> wrote:
> Hi Luther,

> Unfortunately, MS only supports BCM's built-in backup method. There's no
> description whatsoever on how to use anu other method, like the ones you seem
> to suggest. That's exactly why I such a huge problem to restore my database
> files.

> You see, I do make normal back up's of all my files, including thes databse
> files, but when it comes to restoring the database files backed up that way,
> MS leaves me in the blind. It's  not supported and thus not described in any
> way. MS clearly states that using the built-in back-up method is the only
> right way and supported way. MS even goes so far as to advice BCM users that
> they put a daily reminder in their Outlook tasks so they don't forget to
> start the built-in back-up procedure.

> I would be thankful to anyone that would explain to me how to automate these
> back-ups.

> Richard

> "Luther Blissett" wrote:
> > On Mar 11, 3:14 am, Richard Peters
> > <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > > Thanks, John.
>
> > > I've been able to solve the problem - which is a great relief.
>
> > > Although I had already tried what you suggested, I tried once more. And
> > > again, And again. Doing so, I tried several different ways to copy, connect,
> > > attach etc., start BCM again, and so on, each time with different error
> > > statements. This made me realise how hilariously complex and intransparant
> > > this whole SQL database management thing is to a layman like myself. Maybe MS
> > > should rename Office for Small Business into "Office for SQL specialists"..
>
> > > After quite a lot of extra tries and alterations, and when I least expected
> > > to get a good result al all, it suddenly worked. For the first time, SQL
> > > Server Management Studio Express actually offered me a chance to attach my
> > > "old" database. My heart jumped after restarting BCM: all my data showed up!
>
> > > Thanks for encouraging me to keep trying.
>
> > > Philosophical question: Don't you find it impractical that we cannot
> > > automate the backing up of these database files? It seems that the only way
> > > to be protected from data loss is to daily remember to make the backup from
> > > within BCM, which is a manual action that is likely to be forgotten. I'll try
> > > to do better from now on, but nevertheless I feel that this is a great
> > > omission in the usability and security of BCM - especially as BCM is meant
> > > for small businesses like mine and not for bigger companies that can hire
> > > skilled specialists who can take care of these things.
>
> > > "John" wrote:
> > > > Hi Richard,
>
> > > > Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> > > > \Business Contact Manager\" and try again.  Let me know if it works
> > > > for you.
> > > > Good luck,
> > > > John
>
> > > > On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> > > > <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > > > > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > > > > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > > > > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > > > > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
>
> > > > > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > > > > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > > > > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
>
> > > > > How do I fix this?
>
> > > > > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > > > > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
>
> > > > > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.-
>
> >
>
> > Windows provides a way to schedule backups, and so backup data for all
> > applications at one time. That way you don't have to schedule backups
> > in each application. BCM's help docs could indicate how to do this.-



I googled "automate sql server backup" and there's a lot of

suggestions out there.

One approach is to look into a Windows program called Task Scheduler.

You can to configure it to backup your database; the .MDF file in C:

\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Business Contact Manager.

Sql Server has support for automated backups, but not with the free

version that comes with BCM - perhaps that's why BCM has a command to

do backups manually. You can get a sql server license, upgrade sql

server, and then use their backup service.

 

[Richard Peters]

Hi Luther,

Following your suggestion I googled "automate sql server backup" and indeed

I came across some very useful and promising expert advice. Two of them stood

out as they appear to use standardized and proven methods which are well

documented. Besides, these solutions are cost-free. I still have to start

testing, but I expect that either of these two methods will do it for me.

For anyone else interested in these cost-free automated SQL Express backup

methods, visit:

(1)

http://www.brianmadden.com/blogs/gu...-of-a-sql-server-2005-express-data-store.aspx

(2) http://www.sqldbatips.com/showarticle.asp?ID=29

Luther, thanks a lot for helping me out here!

Oh, by the way, I'd advice anyone interested in these matters NOT to follow

up on the suggestion to simply use Windows Backup or any other generic backup

program to backup the mdf and ldf database files. As I've tried to point out

before, this is exactly what I had done and which has brought about all

difficulties upon restoring. These original database files are not intended

to be used as a restore source after a removal and re-install of Business

Contact Manager. If anyone tries to do that, like me they will probably

experience great difficulty in re-attaching these files. Such method is not

supported by MS, it's not documented and it's obscure and unclear in its

workings. Therefore I feel it's hard to carry out and unreliable - well, at

least for a computer user like me who has "only" user knowledge and is not a

SQL expert. Instead, I'd suggest to try and test one of the methods in the

above mentioned links.

 

[Nancy]

Hello Richard, I'm hoping you can help me! I experience a similar situation

where i suddenly lost my outlook w/business mgr program. in fact, all

programs were wiped from my computer. now i hvae those same 2 files you have

for my bcm database (mdf, ldf) but can't figure out how to pull them back up

and restore the database.

I use vista and office 20003. i downloaded the sql server mgnt studio

express. now what? Please, PLEASE, help!

Thanks -- Nancy

"Richard Peters" wrote:


> After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).

> I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.

> How do I fix this?

> Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> name are the same as before the hard disk crash?

> I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.

 

[Richard Peters]

Nancy,

Maybe I can help, but we probably need to connect in another way to make it

work. In my first posting of March, 11, you can read that I really didn't

have a clue of how I actually managed to re-attach my BCM database. I seemed

pure luck. Having said that, I think that the problem was that I had no help

source whatsoever, not even a discription of what items should or should not

appear in SQL Server Management Studio Express.

My own database is running fine now. The fact that it shows itself with

specific properties and settings in my SQL Server Management Studio Express

may be helpful. It gives us a goal to strive for, so to speak. Still,

however, I have no idea what you are seeing when browsing through your

settings in SQL Server Management Studio Express right now. One or more

setting out of many possible settings could be faulty. Since there are so

many settings, it would be a long shot for you and me trying the find the one

setting or instruction on your side that is different from mine and thatwil

lmake the difference.

Therefore I suggest we use a program to make a remote computer connection

over the internet . If you feel like this is the right approach, tell me if

you can find the "Windows remote assistance" program on your PC. If you don't

have it, we could use another free software that does the same. After the

start up of such an assistance connection, I can look from a distance at your

settings and discuss with you different database settings that you then make,

or I then make for you.

"Nancy" wrote:


> Hello Richard, I'm hoping you can help me! I experience a similar situation
> where i suddenly lost my outlook w/business mgr program. in fact, all
> programs were wiped from my computer. now i hvae those same 2 files you have
> for my bcm database (mdf, ldf) but can't figure out how to pull them back up
> and restore the database.

> I use vista and office 20003. i downloaded the sql server mgnt studio
> express. now what? Please, PLEASE, help!

> Thanks -- Nancy

> "Richard Peters" wrote:
>
> > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
> > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
> > How do I fix this?
> > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
> > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.

 

[Huang Qiliang]

Hi,

I am also using Vista and Outlook 2007.

When I was using Outlook 2007 and XP, I could just copy the whole MDF file

to my backup drive, and if anything went wrong, I just copied and pasted this

file back to the BCM directory and everything would be fine. It seems I can't

do this on Vista.

So now I have the MDF file which was used in outlook 2007 and XP, and now I

have outlook 2007 on Vista and I cannot open this file.

I'm not a geek and I have MS SQL Server 2005 with 3 configuration tools, but

no SQL Server Studio or anything like that.

So for a geek like me, how do I get BCM to recognise my MDF file again,

especially as I dont' understand the what "%localappdata%" means in your

reply to Richard below.

Thanks much

"John" wrote:


> Hi Richard,

> Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> \Business Contact Manager\" and try again. Let me know if it works
> for you.
> Good luck,
> John

> On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
> > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
> > How do I fix this?
> > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
> > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.

>

 

[Jeff]

Hi Huang,

Have you had any success? I am currently in the same situation.

Thanks

Jeff

"Huang Qiliang" wrote:


> Hi,

> I am also using Vista and Outlook 2007.
> When I was using Outlook 2007 and XP, I could just copy the whole MDF file
> to my backup drive, and if anything went wrong, I just copied and pasted this
> file back to the BCM directory and everything would be fine. It seems I can't
> do this on Vista.

> So now I have the MDF file which was used in outlook 2007 and XP, and now I
> have outlook 2007 on Vista and I cannot open this file.

> I'm not a geek and I have MS SQL Server 2005 with 3 configuration tools, but
> no SQL Server Studio or anything like that.

> So for a geek like me, how do I get BCM to recognise my MDF file again,
> especially as I dont' understand the what "%localappdata%" means in your
> reply to Richard below.

> Thanks much

> "John" wrote:
>
> > Hi Richard,
> > Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> > \Business Contact Manager\" and try again. Let me know if it works
> > for you.
> > Good luck,
> > John
> > On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> > <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
> > > > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
> > > > How do I fix this?
> > > > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
> > > > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.
> >

 

[Luther Blissett]

On Jul 5, 2:16 pm, Jeff <J...> wrote:
> Hi Huang,

> Have you had any success? I am currently in the same situation.

> Thanks

> Jeff

> "Huang Qiliang" wrote:
> > Hi,
>
> > I am also using Vista and Outlook 2007.
> > When I was using Outlook 2007 and XP, I could just copy the whole MDF file
> > to my backup drive, and if anything went wrong, I just copied and pasted this
> > file back to the BCM directory and everything would be fine. It seems Ican't
> > do this on Vista.
>
> > So now I have the MDF file which was used in outlook 2007 and XP, and now I
> > have outlook 2007 on Vista and I cannot open this file.
>
> > I'm not a geek and I have MS SQL Server 2005 with 3 configuration tools, but
> > no SQL Server Studio or anything like that.
>
> > So for a geek like me, how do I get BCM to recognise my MDF file again,
> > especially as I dont' understand the what "%localappdata%" means in your
> > reply to Richard below.
>
> > Thanks much
>
> > "John" wrote:
>
> > > Hi Richard,
>
> > > Try placing those two database files under "%localappdata%\Microsoft
> > > \Business Contact Manager\" and try again.  Let me know if it works
> > > for you.
> > > Good luck,
> > > John
>
> > > On Mar 10, 5:40 pm, Richard Peters
> > > <RichardPet...> wrote:
> > > > After a hard disk crash I had to reinstall Vista and BCM. Unfortunately, I
> > > > had forgotten to use the BCM backup tool during the last four months. (Yes,
> > > > that was stupid of me, sorry for that). I was able, however, to recover
> > > > recent versions of the two main BCM database files (mdf and ldf).
>
> > > > I am now looking for a way to attach these "old" database files to BCM
> > > > again. I have tried SQL Server Management Studio Express to see if there is a
> > > > way to reconnect the database files, but couldn't figure it out.
>
> > > > How do I fix this?
>
> > > > Is it necessary that my new computer's name and / or my Windows user account
> > > > name are the same as before the hard disk crash?
>
> > > > I use Vista Busniess and BCM 2007.-



First step is to get the MDF file attached to the BCM Sql Server

instance (MSSMLBIZ).

Search this group, or the sql server 2005 documents, for instructions

on doing that.