[ashabi]

i got a .bak file from someone. supposedly this is the backup of the ms sql server. unfortunately i do not have ms sql installed on my computer and i can't seem to open the file in notepad. how can i convert this file to either access so that i can view the contents of the db or how can i convert it to mysql server (which i have).
thanks for your help. i am struggling with this.

[pabloj]

You need SQLServer or MSDE to restore the .bak file and export to csv or other suitable format

[ashabi]

I tried to install it but I am having too many problems installing the MDSE. It keeps telling me something about the security of sa.
I am running windows xp. there is no easier way to do this?

[pabloj]

What does it tell you? C'mon ...

[ashabi]

It tells me:

"A strong SA password is required for security reasons. Please use SAPWD switch to apply the same. Refer to readme for more details."

Then the readme said to go to the command prompt and switch the password but my command promt tells me it doesn't recongnize the command.

[ashabi]

ok. that was a stupid mistake. i installed mssql server. how do i exactly import this bak file and then reexport it to csv. will i then be able to import it into mysql when it is a csv file?

[pabloj]

You have to "Attach database"

[ashabi]

maybe the installation didn't work out properly but i don't seem to have any program to open that will allow me to attach a database. i only have something taht tells me to stop or start the database. am i not looking for it in the right place?

[ashabi]

ok. i found out there is no console for the free version of MSDE. does anyone know another way I can use MSDE to restore the .bak file of the database and then export it to mySQL?

[pabloj]

You can attach database through a stored procedure and use MsAccess as a frontend to MSDE, or tools like iSQL or SQLBuddy

There are some tools on Sourceforge to help you converting to MySQL:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/mssqltomysql/

http://ms2my.sourceforge.net/