SQL 2005 Express Database Size Limit exceeded
Someone dumped about 3-4 GB of user files onto our Office Sharepoint 2007 server which we installed with the default SQL database. I learned that this occurred about 7 days ago. While sharepoint has been fine for several years as of now no modifications can be made w/o sharepoint throwing off an error and I find that the errors in the event viewer revolve around (of course) the 4096 MB limitation of 2005 express. So my questions are (1) if I delete the uploaded files do I then need to shrink the database to reclaim the unused space? (2) If I do need to shrink the database what should I put in as a percentage of space available after the operation since I don't know how much free space there will be? (3) The query on the size of the WSS-Content database says it is 4.3 GB- can I upgrade to SQL Express 2008 R2 and resolve the issue or COULD that interfere with sharepoint working at that point? (4) I have a separate backup of sharepoint from about 10 days before the upload. If all else fails would a restore resolve the issue or would (as I suspect) still need to address the SQL database size? Thanks in Advance
April 27th, 2011 5:27pm

It's about time you moved to full SQL Server 2005 / 2008 in my opinion and have done with size limits once and for all. Whereas use of the in-built version of SQL Server Express can be justified for use with the (free:ish) WSS 3.0 (and in any case there there is no limit) the costs involved with running MOSS 2007 (and the performance required) should make the additional costs of moving to a two server farm running full SQL Server on the second server both marginal and (in terms of performance) heavily worthwhile. The inbuilt db option for MOSS 2007 is not really provided for much more than test/standby installations.SP 2010 "FAQ" (mainly useful links): http://wssv4faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx WSS3/MOSS FAQ (FAQ and Links) http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx Both also have links to extensive book lists and to (free) on-line chapters
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April 28th, 2011 2:07am

I appreciate your comments but I am looking for a short term solution while we explore moving to the online cloud based sharepoint. I set the SQL to autoshrink but when I try to delete any items from the sharepoint site I get a failure. So this narrows down the options above unless someone else has an alternative. Thank you.
April 28th, 2011 3:18pm

I agree with Mike, but for now you could try deleting the files and also ensure to empty both the Recycle Bins. Then Shrink the database & log files. If SP does not allow you to delete files, you can try this. * Remove the current Content Database (Will not delete the DB from SQL) * Create a new Content Database * Restore you site back Cheers! Dilip
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April 28th, 2011 4:55pm

Where would I delete the "Content Database"? Do you mean to delete the entire site? Again my attempts to delete individual files have failed so I am not sure if deleting the site will work either. I am leaning towards upgrading to SQL express 2008 because it has a 10GB limit, although restoring from a smaller backup would probably allow the autoshrink (which I have now set to true) to work also.
April 29th, 2011 10:16am

I meant go to Central Admin, Application Management, Content Database, Select the Web App & Remove Content Database. In the same place add a new empty Content Database and restore from your site backup.Cheers! Dilip
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April 29th, 2011 1:33pm

Thank you for the clarification.
April 29th, 2011 4:37pm

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