Convert your existing SQL Express Sohodox DB to SQL Server Standard/Enterprise Sohodox DB

Convert your existing SQL Express Sohodox DB to SQL Server Standard/Enterprise Sohodox DB

Note: The below instructions will only work if…

  • You have an existing installation of SQL Server Standard or Enterprise (if you are unsure, drop an email to support@sohodox.com)

  • You have purchased the SQL Server upgrade module.

  • You have the new registration key with SQL Server Standard/Enterprise enabled.

Step 1:


Backup the existing DB…


  • Take a backup of the existing DB using the SOHODOX Backup utility. 

  • Transfer the zip file (usually on the Desktop) created by this utility on the new machine.

  • On the new machine, extract the 'MainDB_sdx(DateTime).bak' and 'MainDB_sdx_cache(DateTime).bak'  from the zip file to the C:\Temp folder. (Please create the folder if it does not exist)

  • Rename MainDB_sdx(DateTime).bak  to  MainDB_sdx.bak

  • Rename MainDB_sdx_cache(DateTime).bak  to MainDB_sdx_cache.bak


Step 2:


Restore the DB to SQL Server Enterprise or Standard...


You can restore the DB in 2 ways…


  1. Restore using SQL Server Management Studio...

  • You will need to download and install SQL Server Management Studio. You can download it from here.

  • Open the SQL Server Management Studio in Object Explorer, right-click on Databases Node and select Restore Database.

  • The Restore Database dialog box will be displayed on the General page.

  • Select ‘Device’ in the Source section.

  • Click the button [...] to browse to the backup file.

  • Click ‘Add’  to browse the .bak file from the directory (C:\Temp) and click OK.

  • Click on "Files" tab on the left, and check the option ‘Relocate all files to folder’.

  • Click OK.

  • Make sure you perform the above step for the MainDB_sdx as well as the MainDB_sdx_cache file.

  1. Restore using Command Prompt…

  • Open the Command Prompt as Administrator.

  • Copy and Paste the command below…

    sqlcmd -E -S .\(instancename) –Q "RESTORE DATABASE [MainDB_sdx] FROM DISK='C:\Temp\MainDB_sdx.bak' with stats=10"


  • You should receive a message 'Restore Database successfully processed'.

  • Copy and Paste the command below…

    sqlcmd -E -S .\(instancename) -Q "RESTORE DATABASE [MainDB_sdx_cache] FROM DISK='C:\Temp\MainDB_sdx_cache.bak' with stats=10"

  • You should receive a message 'Restore Database successfully processed'.


Step 3:


Reconfiguring SOHODOX to work with SQL Enterprise or Standard


  • Go to the machine on which SOHODOX is installed in server mode.

  • Press the Windows + R button. The Run dialog will be launched.

  • In the Open: textbox, type the following command…

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\SOHODOX Desktop\SOHODOX.exe" /reconfiguremaindb

    (We are assuming SOHODOX is installed in C:\Program Files (x86)\SOHODOX Desktop if it is installed in another location then please modify the command by entering the correct location)

  • Now a dialog will launch. It will ask you to enter the credentials to login to MS SQL Server. 

  • Enter the credentials for SQL Standard/SQL Enterprise edition you own.

  • Click the Test connection button to make sure the connection is successful.

  • Start SOHODOX.