_____________________

For over a year I have been using Visual Studio 2005 Professional. I also
had installed SQL Server 2005 Express. All was working fine.

Yesterday, I downloaded the SQL Server 2008 Enterprise's evaluation version.
All appeared to be working fine. However, today when I tried to open up SQL
Server Management Studio, I got only the following message:

"Evaluation period has expired. For information on how to upgrade your
evaluation software please go to http://www.micorsoft.com/sql/how to buy"

I was devastated and shocked, as I wondered to myself, "What just happened
here?" I tried several times, in utter dismay and disbelief, to open
Management Studio, but with the same results.

All of my precious database files, supporting objects and constructs are now
in limbo: non-accessible, unless I purchase 2008? Was that some sort of joke
or "bait-and-switch" tactic?

Please help me resolve this conundrum. What happened? What can I do get back
the use of Management Studio. I had the use of SQL Server 2008 Enterprise's
evaluation version for less than a day, and it trashed my existing SQL Server
Management Studio?

_____________________

_____________________

Oh, one more thing...

I still do have the use of ALL of the rest of of SQL Server 2008 Enterprise
evaluation version. I just can't open the Management Studio, even though
yesterday, after installation of the evaluation version, I was able to access
it.

On a related note:

I checked the SQL Server Management Studio folder. The "Modification Date"
shows 9/28/08. As it turns out, some hours before the actual installation, I
was checking the September calendar, but I forgot to reset it back to
August. So, at installation time, the calendar still displayed 9/28/08. I
subsequently did change it back to August, earlier today.

Do you think that is what caused my problem?

_____________________

Why don't you just uninstall the evaluation edition instance and after that
install SQL Server Management Studio Express?

If your databases are attached to the Express Edition, then you'll be able
to reach them using SSMSE and connecting to this instance.

--
Ekrem Önsoy

"trosoft" discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
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