[sims] Database - where is it?

[jinnantonnixx]

If you have a Windows administrative access to the SQL server, you can change the sa password without knowing the old one. You can use either the SQL Management GUI, or, if that isn't installed, an OSQL command line. It's fairly simple, I won't post it here, but PM me if you want the instructions.

 

As for backing up SQL, you can't assume anything about where the database may be. On a simple system, it is likely to be C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\etc, but it's not guaranteed. It could be on a separate volume or disk, for instance.

 

To find out where the files live, this SQL code will show the physical file names used by a particular database:

use [name_of_you_sims_database]
select filename from sysfiles

 

As for backing up, you must use a proper SQL backup, either from a script, DBAttach, an SQL scheduled task or a third party SQL backup solution. Stopping the server and copying the physical files is not the way to do it.

Edited March 21, 2011 by jinnantonnixx

[jinnantonnixx]

Here's a good article about SQL backups from the Petri website. If you don't know about Petri, bookmark it now. Essential website for all IT.

 

This steps you the the basics of DIY SQL backups.

Backup Job in SQL Server: How to Create for Single/Multiple DBs

Edited March 21, 2011 by jinnantonnixx

[quietriot1983]

Thanks for all the offers of help, it is much appreciated!

 

I've successfully got System Admin details off the outgoing support desk, so will try a dbattach backup ASAP.

[vikpaw]

Good point about the FMS!

 

Probably shouldn't share the script about resetting SA, though i'm sure the code is easily downloaded from any other forum. You have to have rights to access and run code on the server to do it anyway.

 

I wonder what was wrong with a stopped service backup. The only fancy thing that dbattach does that i can recall is keeping hold of the logins, and possibly shrinking the log file too, in the old days.

 

re: manchester support: It's not that john howarth guy is it?

Edited March 21, 2011 by vikpaw
clarity

[CAM]

Resetting SA is easy, you start SQLServer in Single User mode and it uses the Windows login to authenticate you instead. After the password is reset you put it back into normal mode. Had to do this myself on my Green Abbey test server.

[Jarmstro36]

On the machine you think is the Sims Server,

Start/Run, then type in C:\Windows\Sims.ini

There will be a line in there that makes reference to where your SQL binn directory is.

Normally SimsSQLDirectory=C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQl10.Sims2008\MSSQL\Binn

The Data folder would sit next to the Binn folder if all the defaults were unchanged during the SQL installation

The Path above may vary slighlty as i am going off mermory here

 

Hope this helps

[NorthernSands]

On the machine you think is the Sims Server,

Start/Run, then type in C:\Windows\Sims.ini

There will be a line in there that makes reference to where your SQL binn directory is.

Normally SimsSQLDirectory=C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQl10.Sims2008\MSSQL\Binn

The Data folder would sit next to the Binn folder if all the defaults were unchanged during the SQL installation

The Path above may vary slighlty as i am going off mermory here

 

Hope this helps

 

Ah, I wondered if you lurked around on here. Don't forget the interest on those Fish'n'Chips...

[Jarmstro36]

Ah, I wondered if you lurked around on here. Don't forget the interest on those Fish'n'Chips...

 

Hello Grim,

 

Yes i do sometimes wander here, nice to see your about and hope Sunny Qatar is great, as for Fish & Chips, you snooze you loose

Send me a message, be great to catch up without digressing from the OP's Question