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I am using SQL Server 2008 R2 quite a while. It is working great. Now I need to use SQL Server 2012. Will this effect my existing database. How much Risk involved in installing SQL Server 2012 on a machine that have SQL Server 2008 R2 running.

user960567
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2 Answers2

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Back the whole system and the databases up and follow the upgrade instructions and you'll be fine.

Chopper3
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  • Silly question. How to back-up whole system? – user960567 Jun 05 '13 at 08:46
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    Yes, that is a silly question as you should alreay be doing backups of your systems. Quickest easiest way to take a single backup is using the Windows Backup Componets; you will need to add that feature to your windows install. – Mark Henderson Jun 05 '13 at 08:51
  • @MarkHenderson, Is Windows Backup Componets is available in Windows 7? Sorry I am beginner? – user960567 Jun 05 '13 at 09:13
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    Oh for heavens sake, are you doing this on Windows 7? if so then please read our FAQ, this site is for PROFESSIONAL sysadmins, who would never do this. – Chopper3 Jun 05 '13 at 09:42
  • @user960567 Windows 7 is *NOT* a supported OS for SQL Server – voretaq7 Jun 06 '13 at 17:13
  • Windows 7 SP1 Professional is supported for Standard, Home basic is supported for express, but chances are you're not going to have the horses behind it to do anything useful – Cougar9000 Jun 06 '13 at 21:45
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Yes, of-course it is safe. There are two possible ways :

  1. Upgrade your existing instance : In this case I would suggest you download and follow Upgrade Advisor http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144256.aspx

  2. Installing named instance : Another option is to install a named instance, this way you will have both the instances available - SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012.

slm
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Hemantgiri S. Goswami
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