I installed MS SQL Server 2012.

I downloaded sample DB, Pubs and Northwind, from following web site.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=23654

However what is the next step to attach these DBs to the SQL server 2012?

• Edited by dy0803 Sunday, February 15, 2015 1:49 AM

Welcome Dy,

That link belongs to SQL Server 2000 and is not supported by SQL Server 2012. Please download the sample database (AdventureWorks2012) this link:

Adventure Works for SQL Server 2012

However what is the next step to attach these DBs to the SQL server 2012?

What you said, attach them: Attach a Database

I mean I downloaded SQL2000SampleDB.msi and installed but still I cannot see it from SQL Server Management Studio.

Don't I have to attatch sample db(pubs and northwind)?

Hi dy0803,

According to your description, I make a test on my computer, and find that these sample databases downloaded from the link you mention above are not supported by SQL Server 2012 as per Saeid's post. You could download and attach AdventureWorks2012_Database.

Regards,
Michelle Li

• Edited by Michelle LiMicrosoft contingent staff 5 hours 17 minutes ago

I mean I downloaded SQL2000SampleDB.msi and installed but still I cannot see it from SQL Server Management Studio.

Don't I have to attatch sample db(pubs and northwind)?

Good day ,

There are several features from 2000 version, that deprecated on Database Engine as of after SQL Server 2008 R2. You will probably not succeed to use attach or direct installation, but yet there is no problem using those databases (i have them both on sql server 2014 on windows 2012r2). The solution that I used is simple: attached them to to SQL Server 2008 r2, backup from the 2008R2 instance, and restore it to the 2012 instance.

There is another option, don't use the installation version but the script version, and create them on your server directly (You might need to fix the script  bit, manually):
https://northwinddatabase.codeplex.com/releases/view/71634

In the Installation folder (the folder with the files after using the MSI you download), there should be 2 sql files. You can use those to create the databases. You should make a small fix. for example the script use the the SP sp_dboption which is not available on 2014 (probably 2012 as well), so you can remove this part from the script before execut it

execute sp_dboption 'pubs' ,'trunc. log on chkpt.' ,'true'
GO

** I checked it now and I installed the pubs database on SQL Server 2014 directly with the script (after removing these lines).

I hope this is helpful :-)