re: can't see mssql.1 in dos window on 2008r2 - help : (

[basball]

A little off topic, but I'm trying to use robocopy to copy a file located in mssql.1\mssql\data directory in 2008R2.
The problem is that robocopy uses dos convention, e.g., program files -> progra~1, etc. The problem, is that I can see 100, 90 and 80 directories, but I can't see mssql.1 when viewing from a dos window (cmd). I've checked all the security file attributes / permissions and there is nothing to indicate why it's hidden from view. I also tried allowing for protected system files to be viewed, but not dice. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[bborissov]

Maybe databases are placed in other folder.
If you have SSMS right click on DB Choose Properties and go to Files.
Then check where the physical files are placed.

Borislav Borissov
VFP9 SP2, SQL Server

 

[fredericofonseca]

and what version of robocopy are you using? recent ones do see and process long names correctly.

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

FAQ219-2884
FAQ181-2886

 

[basball]

attn: bborissov,

thanks for the reply, the database i'm trying to copy is in fact located in:
c:\progra~1\micros~1\mssql.1\data. the problem, is that I can't see the mssql.1 directory - it doesn't show up in the dos window, only the other directories do: 80, 90 and 100. of course, i can see and access mssql.1 from the gui and i have yet to understand or figure out how the mssql.1 dir is hidden as it doesn't appear to be a permission/ownership/acl issue.

attn: fredericofonseca,
thanks for the reply as well. robocopy is now an internal command on 2008r2, where as before, for example on 2000 server, it was an actual external app. i did try and use long file names, as i was curious if that worked, but it did not recognize, e.g., program files (x86) etc.

 

[basball]

part of the mystery solved - it turns out you can use long file names with directories, however robocopy hiccups if there is a space in the directory name, e.g., program files (x86). apparently the work around is to use quotes around the file path name, making sure to add one space before the closing quote - this makes about as much sense as windows 8.

e.g.,

robocopy "C:\Program Files (x86)\adobe\acroba~1\ " d:
pause

 

[philhege]

It's not a workaround; it's the way that DOS works, and always has. An unquoted space in a DOS command marks the end of the current value/parameter. You need the quotes to let DOS know that everything between quotes, including spaces, is the actual path.

Now, as for the space at the end, I haven't found any documentation.

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