Note: This article was originally published in 2008. Some steps, commands, or software versions may have changed. Check the current General documentation for the latest information.
If you’re encountering this issue, this troubleshooting guide will help you identify the root cause and apply the appropriate fix.
Message:
TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express
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Attach database failed for Server ‘MACHINENAMESQLEXPRESS’. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.Smo)
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.ConnectionInfo)
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The database ‘Northwind’ cannot be opened because it is version 655. This server supports version 612 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.
Could not open new database ‘Northwind’. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 948)
For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=948&LinkId=20476
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BUTTONS:
OK
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Advanced Information:
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Attach database failed for Server ‘MACHINENAME’. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.Smo)
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Program Location:
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Server.AttachDatabase(String name, StringCollection files, String owner)
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlManagerUI.AttachDatabaseData.PrimaryFile.Attach()
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlManagerUI.AttachDatabase.SendDataToServer()
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An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.ConnectionInfo)
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Program Location:
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ServerConnection.ExecuteNonQuery(String sqlCommand, ExecutionTypes executionType)
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ServerConnection.ExecuteNonQuery(StringCollection sqlCommands, ExecutionTypes executionType)
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.ExecutionManager.ExecuteNonQuery(StringCollection queries)
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Server.AttachDatabaseWorker(String name, StringCollection files, String owner, AttachOptions attachOptions)
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Server.AttachDatabase(String name, StringCollection files, String owner)
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The database ‘Northwind’ cannot be opened because it is version 655. This server supports version 612 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.
Could not open new database ‘Northwind’. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. (.Net SqlClient Data Provider)
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For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=948&LinkId=20476
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Server Name: MACHINENAMESQLEXPRESS
Error Number: 948
Severity: 20
State: 1
Line Number: 1
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Program Location:
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.OnError(SqlException exception, Boolean breakConnection)
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnection.OnError(SqlException exception, Boolean breakConnection)
at System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.ThrowExceptionAndWarning(TdsParserStateObject stateObj)
at System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.Run(RunBehavior runBehavior, SqlCommand cmdHandler, SqlDataReader dataStream, BulkCopySimpleResultSet bulkCopyHandler, TdsParserStateObject stateObj)
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.RunExecuteNonQueryTds(String methodName, Boolean async)
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.InternalExecuteNonQuery(DbAsyncResult result, String methodName, Boolean sendToPipe)
at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.ExecuteNonQuery()
at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ServerConnection.ExecuteNonQuery(String sqlCommand, ExecutionTypes executionType)
Summary
This guide covered the common causes and solutions for this General issue. If the problem persists, check the official documentation or system logs for additional diagnostic information.