SQL server version problem

Forums › IT Pro and developers › SQL server version problem

ShadyG

26 posts

Geek

#133651 29-Oct-2013 15:49

I've got a number of applications running databases under SQL Server 2008 R2. My hosting service has now migrated their server over to SQL server 2012. My apps still appear to be working correctly, but I can't access any of the databases using the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, I get all kinds of weird messages :

"This back end version is not supported to design database diagrams or tables" when I try to view a table's design
or
"Invalid prefix or suffix characters" when I try to view data in a table.

both of these errors are expected when a SQL 2008 data base is viewed using a SQL 2012 server. however, here's my questions:
How feasible is it to run SQL server 2008 R@ and SQL server 2012 on the same machine?
(ie, can I download sql server 2012 express,and run it side by side with my slq server 2008 R2)
will this cause me any problems in the future if I just ignore the management studio?

Any help will be gratefully received.
(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum)

George

RedJungle

Phil Gale
1108 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Red Jungle

Subscriber

#923621 29-Oct-2013 15:51

You should be fine to install them side-by-side. The 2012 management tools will also allow you to manage the 2008R2 server.

ShadyG

26 posts

Geek

#923623 29-Oct-2013 15:55

Thanks Red. have you any advice for installing the 2012 express version? I'm thinking of doing that one first rather than paying for a full one, and going in cold.

ShadyG

26 posts

Geek

#924773 31-Oct-2013 14:16

I downloaded and installed the sql server express 2012 version, upgraded my 2008 R2, and everything works fine. As always though, I was on hot pins while it was installing, but everything went well. One point to notice though, is that when you come to installing the management studio, take the first option of adding a feature to an existing server, and not the upgrade to a new version, which will fail.