How to upgrade SQL Server 2012 to 2019?-CodePudding

I have a database backup that I cannot restore, because it was created with a newer version of SQL Server, error below:

Here's the info I get in SSMS under Help > About:

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio     11.0.7507.2
Microsoft Analysis Services Client Tools   11.0.7507.2
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC)    10.0.19041.1
Microsoft MSXML                            3.0 6.0 
Microsoft Internet Explorer                9.11.19041.0
Microsoft .NET Framework                   4.0.30319.42000
Operating System                           6.3.19044

What are the steps to take to upgrade my SQL Server and SSMS to 2019? This is a local environment on Windows 10.

CodePudding user response：

The issue is that you have a backup and you cannot restore it.

First of all, I would check whether this backup works for version 15.00.4153 like it claims. If you have the installer of such a version, then it would make sense to use it (and install it, if necessary) and check the restore operation to see whether it works with that version. If so, use that version and don't look back to your old version. You need to upgrade SQL Server first, and only then you can use the benefits of your newer version.

If the backup cannot be restored even on the newer version, then you are likely dealing with a damaged file. In that case I would try to look at the actual SQL code that would be generated (if available) and detect where the problem occurs.

In the worst-case scenario you can ask the team/person that initially exported their database to export a(nother) SQL file and look for errors manually if it fails to run.