An MSDN CD version was installed on one of our development servers, when a
volume licencing copy of Standard Edition should have been used. Now the
developer wants me to install the correct version of the software, but I need
to retain all the information in the System databases. What I need to know
is can I just backup all the databases on the MSDN version, un-install SQL
Server, install the volume licensing copy, then restore all the database
starting with Master from the backups? I'm wondering if any of the MSDN code
will was stored in the databases that might be different then the volume
licensing copy. Please advise, how to retain all database information, but
overlay the MSDN version with the Volumn Licensing versions.

Greg,

Yes, you should be able simply to backup your databases, uninstall the MSDN
version and install the Standard Edition that you are licensed for. The
bytes on disk are the same at the same version level. (An exception was the
system databases on SQL Server 2000 between SP3a and SP4.)

Actually, if the non-system databases remain in place on disk, restoring
master should reconnect them all without any further action on your part.
(Of course, restore msdb to get back your job definitions.)

If you are installing SQL Server 2005, it may recognize the existing system
databases and offer you the opportunity to simply upgrade the software.

RLF
"Greg Larsen" <gregalarsen@removeit.msn.com> wrote in message
news:6BEEDA0D-F8B2-4D0D-BBFB-73644988C6D8@microsoft.com...
> An MSDN CD version was installed on one of our development servers, when a
> volume licencing copy of Standard Edition should have been used. Now the
> developer wants me to install the correct version of the software, but I
> need
> to retain all the information in the System databases. What I need to
> know
> is can I just backup all the databases on the MSDN version, un-install SQL
> Server, install the volume licensing copy, then restore all the database
> starting with Master from the backups? I'm wondering if any of the MSDN
> code
> will was stored in the databases that might be different then the volume
> licensing copy. Please advise, how to retain all database information,
> but
> overlay the MSDN version with the Volumn Licensing versions.