How to use Xcopy & User Instance to copy 3 dbo tables from the database of SQL Server Mana

Hi all,

I have read/studied (i) Working with Databases in Visual Web Developer 2005 Express inhttp://quickstarts.asp.net/QuickStartv20/aspnet/doc/data/vwd.aspx, (ii) Xcopy Deployment (SQL Server Express) inhttp://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165716.aspx, (iii) User Instances for Non-Administrators inhttp://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143684.aspx, and (iv) Embedding SQL Server Server Express in Applications inhttp://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165660.aspx. I do not understand the concepts and procedures to do Xcopy and User Instances for non-administrators completely-I do not know how to connect to databases and create database diagrams or schemas using the Database Explorer. I have a stand-alone Windows XP Pro PC. I have created a ChemDatabase with 3 dbo tables in the SQL Server Management Studio of my SQL Server Express and a website of my VWD Express application with an App_Data folder. I am not able to proceed to use Xcopy and user instance to bring the 3 dbo tables of ChemDatabase to my App_Data folder. Please help and give me some detailed procedures/instructions to bring the 3 dbo tables of ChemDatabase (or ChemDatabase itself) from the SQL Server Management Studio Express to the App_Data folder of the website of my VWD Express project?

Thanks in advance,

Scott Chang

I am sure those documentation entries were good intentioned but all of the above is not used with standard SQL Server so it is not very useful because you cannot xcopy a regular SQL Server database. The SQL Server team have a blog entry that will help you connect your user instance so you can use it in Management Studio. You could choose to do it per those docs which is not applicable to regular SQL Server or take the time to read up on how SQL Server really work. Hope this helps.

http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlexpress/archive/2006/11/22/connecting-to-sql-express-user-instances-in-management-studio.aspx

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Hi Caddre, Thanks for your response.

I read the article "SQL Server Express Weblog" you suggested in your response. I studied that article and Xcopy Deployment (SQL Server Express) in the Microsoft Library very hard for the last 5 days. I think I know more about Xcopy and User Instance. But I still do not know where and how to get my Xcopy deployment started in the website of my VWD Express application!!!? I have the Micosoft "Northwind" Database in the SQL Server Management Studio Express of my SQL Server Express that is installed in my stand-alone Windows XP Pro PC. My VWD Express program is also installed in the same stand-alone Windows XP Pro PC. I think that User Instance in my SQL Server Express is established. Suppose that I want to get the .mdf file of Northwind Database in the App_Data folder of a website of my VWD Express project. Where and how can I get Xcopy and Use Instance started? Please help me and kindly give me the key steps/instructions for obtaining the .mdf file of Northwind Database to the App_Data folder of the website of my VWD Express project via the Xcopy procedures.

Many Thanks in advance,

Scott Chang

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Hi Scott,

I found the MSDN thread below you have posted there that is very good since I don't think xcopying a SQL Server database is a valid operation I will let that forum provide you the means to implement it. However I have created a faq of the correct ways to move a SQL Server database so I will also post that thread, when you choose to know a SQL Server database as half of your application I will be here to help.

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1090046&SiteID=1

http://forums.asp.net/thread/1454694.aspx