AdventureWorks2012 doesn't appear in Databases

Question

Hey all,

I'm super new to SQL server and trying to use AdventureWorks2012.  The install is successful, AdventureWords2012 appears in the "Local Server Groups" and test is successful.  However, it never appears under the Database folder in "Object Explorer" and I get errors when I try to "attach" it to that database.  Is there a particular folder I need to copy it into when I download?  Or possibly, is there something else I should be downloading with AdventureWorks 2012 so that I can attach it? 

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey all,

I'm super new to SQL server and trying to use AdventureWorks2012.  The install is successful, AdventureWords2012 appears in the "Local Server Groups" and test is successful.  However, it never appears under the Database folder in "Object Explorer" and I get errors when I try to "attach" it to that database.  Is there a particular folder I need to copy it into when I download?  Or possibly, is there something else I should be downloading with AdventureWorks 2012 so that I can attach it? 

You are doing something wrong. You created a database instance named Adventureworks2012 and you can view it via Local Server group but this does not means you have created Adventureworks database. To do it you have to download the from Codeplex website

You can attach database file or restore the backup as you like it

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Answer 2

My apologies, my question was not quite right.  I guess what I really needed was to fix the error on attaching/restoring.  It seemed the AdventureWorks file installed correctly but when I try to attach, I get the following error:

Directory lookup for the file "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf" failed with the operating system error 3(The system cannot find the path specified.). (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5133)

I am not sure why the file path has MSSQL11.* rather than MSSQL12.*    I tried just changing the file name to match and that didn't work.  Not sure what to do next.

Answer 3

My apologies, my question was not quite right.  I guess what I really needed was to fix the error on attaching/restoring.  It seemed the AdventureWorks file installed correctly but when I try to attach, I get the following error:

Directory lookup for the file "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf" failed with the operating system error 3(The system cannot find the path specified.). (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5133)

I am not sure why the file path has MSSQL11.* rather than MSSQL12.*    I tried just changing the file name to match and that didn't work.  Not sure what to do next.

When you attach the database you have to provide location of new mdf file if you give it worngr dont give it it would look for old location.

It is also possible that you are giving wrong location. Does below location exists

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf

MSSQL11 means 2012 database

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Answer 4

Yes, it exists only because I renamed the MSSQL12.* folder as MSSQL11.*

Answer 5

It worked when I downloaded the zip file instead of the data file.  Does anyone know why that might be?

Answer 6

It worked when I downloaded the zip file instead of the data file.  Does anyone know why that might be?

First, dont rename any folder created by installation that might lead to inconsistencies. I suppose you must be doing some mistake and I am glad now the issue is resolved and you yourself resolved it :)

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Answer 7

Hi sobrio32,

Glad to hear that the issue is resolved. You can mark helpful replies as answer to close this thread, that way, other community members could benefit from your solution.

Thanks,
Lydia Zhang

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Lydia Zhang
TechNet Community Support

Answer 8

If I'm not supposed to rename folders, how do I change what folder path it is looking for?