My Digital Life

SQL Server 2005 or Express database file portability

In my rush to migrate over to my Dell XPS 720, I neglected to perform an application level backup of the SQL data I use with Microsoft's Office Accounting 2007 and Outlook Business Contact Manager. However. I am happy to report that after a little research, database file portability does work with SQL Server 2005 and Express.

The process involves, creating and attaching the database. I did this by restoring a previous application level backup using the data tools in Office Accounting 2007 matching my previous database name. I then shut down the SQL Server services, copied my database's Master Data File (.MDF) and Log Data File (.LDF) from for my Acronis backup. Restarted the SQL services and accessed my current using Office Accounting.

This is a great feature of SQL server...Although the configuration method is different Exchange 2007 also allows for database portability of its mailboxes.

I am pretty much back up and running on my new XPS 720, so far I am very impressed with its performance...I did have to upgrade the BIOS and update the nvidia drivers but so far the Dell support has been very good.

Small Business Accounting 2006 is not supported on Vista

I have had problems running Small Business Accounting 2006 on Vista and created a support case with Microsoft. The response was that SBA 2006 is not supported. I needed to use Office Accounting 2007 Express or Professional which can be downloaded at the following links (http://oaisbetter.com or http://www.ideawins.com). I chose to upgrade to Office Accounting Professional 2007.

Unfortunately I ran into a problem trying to install SQL Server Express, even though I already had SQL Server 2005 installed and working with SP2 CTP2 (required for Vista). After backing up my SBA and Outlook Business Contact Manager (BCM) data, disconnecting BCM from the accounting database, uninstalling SBA 2006 and SQL Server, the install still failed with a "SQL Server Setup Failed to compile the Managed Object Format (MOF)" error. After hours of searching, I found this post on TechNet, what a life saver. Who knew that a corrupted WMI repository would affect the installation...Thank you Jin Feng.

I was able to easily restore and upgrade from my data backups. Office Accounting 2007 provides a feature to integrate the Business Contact Manager database into one (very nice). I have done that and I am sharing my Business Contact Manager data with my XP Tablet laptop. The sharing feature is very easy to setup and provides excellent instructions. You have the option to replicate the data for off line use which is great.

After a harrowing day and half, I am back up and running better than ever.