SQL Server Backup Command Error

Question

I am trying to create a backup of my SQL Server Database in Visual Studio 2010.

I am using the following command to back up the database:

BACKUP DATABASE Db TO DISK = 'c:\server.bak'

This is connection string that I am using.

<add name="ConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\Db.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>

However, when I run the command, I get the following error message.

Database 'Db' does not exist.

Here is a screenshot that describes my error:

http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/aerfanfa/sqlerror.jpg

Does anyone have a solution for my problem? Thanks!

marc_s · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-30 19:26:28Z

The problem is: your database db.mdf is not attached to the SQL Server Express instance - therefore, you cannot back it up.

This whole AttachDbFileName=..... story is a bit tricky - and quite a mess, if you ask me.

I would recommend to just forget about using that AttachDbFileName=... stuff, and instead:

just attach the db.mdf file to your local SQL Server Express instance (using SQL Server Management Studio Express)
talk to the attached database using it's logical database name instead of messing around with a .mdf file

Once you've done that - then you can use commands like BACKUP DATABASE ... and everything else!

Your connection string would be much simpler, too!

<add name="ConnectionString" 
     connectionString="Server=.\SQLEXPRESS;Database=YourDatabaseName;Integrated Security=True;"
     providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>

Paul Grimshaw · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-30 19:24:59Z

0

Try right clicking the database in Manament studio, selecting tasks, then "Backup". After setting the parameters, you can select "Script" which will give you a proper backup script.

A backup script looks something like:

BACKUP DATABASE [Db] TO  DISK = 
N'C:\Server.bak'
 WITH NOFORMAT, INIT,  NAME = N'Db Backup', SKIP, NOREWIND, NOUNLOAD, 
STATS = 10
GO

answered Mar 30, 2012 at 19:24

Paul Grimshaw

21.2k6 gold badges43 silver badges60 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

SQL Server Backup Command Error

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related