I know it's a shame ! we are finally going to upgrade sharepoint 2.0 to 3.0 , unfortunatly gradual upfgrade option is not available (because we use MSDE database) . what is the proper method of backup and restore for sharepoint 2.0 ? I don't want to take any risks by running in-place upgrade. atleast need to be sure about a proper recovery option.... I googled this but couldn't find a 100% solution. Please reply if you have done this before.

Hi Ali, You have to first copy all your mdf and ldf files to new SQL server by stopping running SQL instance. Then restore all DBs frm LDF and MDF to new SQL which will make DB folders on new SQL (use SQL server Management Studio) Install SharePoint and connect it to new SQL server. Once your SharePoint central admin will be up and running , start creating sites and use following command to attach content DB. before attaching content db detach existing one. stsadm -o addcontentdb -url <Site URL> -dn <Database name> This will make your WSS 2.0 site running on WSS 3.0 hthWarm Regards, Pratik Vyas | SharePoint Consultant | http://sharepointpratik.blogspot.com/

Hi Patrik ou are offering an alternative upgrade path rathre than in-place upgrade, we are currentlu using sharepoint 2.0 on MSDE . it's not SQL . If I just backup the database and restore it on 3.0 , does it work ? I thouht database also needs to be upgraded to be compatible with version 3.0.

Hi Ali, in MSDE database do you have .mdf and .ldf files associated with Database name ? If yes just copy it and put it on the new SQL machine and then follow above mentioned procedure.Warm Regards, Pratik Vyas | SharePoint Consultant | http://sharepointpratik.blogspot.com/

Yes , we do. So this means that by running stsadm command we resstore the database and it will be sharepoint 3.0 compatible..., right ?

Hi Ali, Yes it will work.Warm Regards, Pratik Vyas | SharePoint Consultant | http://sharepointpratik.blogspot.com/

Thanks . I was able to do a successful migration . thanks for all helps and advises.