downloading bak for sql express

Is it possible to use the sql 2005 backup on my local machine withexpress? I made a backup, downloaded it, change the extensioin to .mdf, then tried to connect using VWD. Ihave an error saying:

The header of this file 'XXXX.mdf' is not a valid database file header. The FILE SIZE property is incorrect.

Does this mean I can't use the express tools on the sql 2005 bak?

 

You cannot just rename a '.bak' to 'mdf' .A backup file needs to be restored.

Vikram

DiscountASP.NET
www.DiscountASP.NET

 

I restored the bak file and was able touse it locally with express.

Thanks Vikram!

 

can you list the steps to make it working? I too have downloaded the .bak file and everytime I tried to restore, it always give me the following error:

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express
------------------------------

Restore failed for Server 'DARWIN-PC-ACER\SQLEXPRESS'. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.Smo)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?Prod...ceptionText&EvtID=Restore+Server&LinkId=20476

------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing 'SQL2005_407398_travel' database. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.Smo)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=9.00.3042.00&LinkId=20476

------------------------------
BUTTONS:

OK
------------------------------

 

I get a similar error to Darwin's.

Can anyone help in listing the steps you need to ensure that you correctly restore the .bak file to SQL Server Express 2005.

Thanks.

 

I got my answer here and it worked fine.
http://community.discountasp.net/default.aspx?f=16&m=12384

 

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing 'Osmosis' database. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.Smo)
I also got an error while restoring database . chose option - restore database by overwriting existing database, ten u can restore db....