[RESOLVED] SQL Server 2008: Problem in locating the database location

Hi guys. I have a question.

I'm trying to locate the database in the SQL Server. Normally I can access the database in "Windows Authentication" mode (I think), but I'm having a little trouble in locating the database in "SQL Server Authentication".

The default location for the databases is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.IDDMSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA" and the problem is that I'm unable to find this default location. I've tried almost everything that I know and I'm having a lot of trouble in what key words do I need to use in google to search for the answer in my problem.

I was planning to update the database and the options that I have right now is to:

1.) Detach the database that I needed to update
2.) Copy the entire database and move all the data into another database.

The first option is actually a bad idea and I'm planning on using the 2nd option.

I hope you guys could help me in my problem.

I'm not sure I really understand the question. Are you just trying to work out what the file path to your mdf and ldf files are? If so just open the databases properties in Management Studio and the file paths are on the Files tab. Or are you perhaps having trouble logging in?

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I'm looking for the MDF files that I needed. I went to the database settings to check the default location of the database. After that, I copied that location and went to my local disk to locate that path. But I'm unable to find those MDF files because the folder "MSSQL10_50.IDDMSSQLSERVER" is missing. The folders that I can see right now in there are "80", "90", "100", "110" and the "MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS".

I thought that maybe the folder was hidden so I went to the folder options to unhide those missing folders but the result is still the same and I'm still unable to access those MDF files that I need.

What do you mean by the "default" location? If you look at the files tab of the database properties page you are shown the actual location in the "Path" field. If the files weren't in that location the database would not function.

edit> Wait, are you looking at the Database Settings tab of the Server properties? That has default locations but that's not where I'm telling you to look. Instead check the properties of the specific database you're interested in.

Thanks for the assist Funky Dexter. I've found the root of my problem. The SQL Server is actually connected into another different computer because the computer name in its properties is different from the computer name that I'm using. This problem is now solved. Now, my problem is where that computer is located. Haha...

Thanks again!
:)