Move BCM database file to a different location

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Glotzkowski
  • Start date Start date
M

Michael Glotzkowski

Hello,

I have Windows Vista Business 32-bit and use MS Office 2007 Outlook with BCM.

How can I move the two database files (name.mdf + name.ldf)?

I want to move the files to a removable hard disc drive, so that I can use
the BCM at home and on my laptop on the road.

Simple cut and paste doesn't work unfortunatley (as it does with the .pst
file!). Windows says "files are in use and can not be moved" although I am
not running Outlook.

Thank you very much in advance for any help.

Michael
 
Michael:

BCM files (MDF and LDF) are managed by SQL Server and the reason you can't
just copy them is that SQL maintains a hold on them, even if Outlook and BCM
aren't running.

There are a few ways of doing this. Copying the files to a removable hard
drive or flash drive might work but you'd have to insert the drive when the
PC is off so that SQL can identify and load those files when it starts up.
I've not tried this method but it might work.

Plan B is to make your desktop the master BCM database and make your laptop
the "offline" version. This would work for your laptop but not home PC.
Could you logon to your desktop from home, or carry your laptop? This is
the safest way to do it since any changes made away from the office would
synchronize when you return. The problem with Plan A above is that you have
to make sure which is the master/real database at all times or you'll lose
any changes made.

Plan C is to use a PocketPC and take minimal data with you away from the
office, then synch when you return.

HTH,
Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
www.pinpointtools.com
 
Why not to install the MS SQL Server Management Studio and backup the
database or backup the database by means of the server utility for BCM? If
you take your backup with you and the source database on the home server has
thev same structure - you may restore it.
 
Maciek:

I agree that would work but then he has to be absolutely sure that he only
makes changes on the BCM database he has with him. He has three PC's to
juggle. Since BCM has the offline synch capability and can connect via VPN
remotely to synch, I thought Plan B is the best answer.

Lon

___________________________________________________________
Lon Orenstein
pinpointtools, llc
(e-mail address removed)
Author of Outlook 2007 Business Contact Manager For Dummies
Author of the eBook: Moving from ACT! to Business Contact Manager
www.pinpointtools.com
 
Back
Top