How do I force new databases to be created on another drive on same server?

I successfuly installed SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition today (on the first shot!) but can't figure out how to force new databases, etc to be created on another drive on the server. SQL installed on the c: drive (I had no choice!) but it is a very small partition. I need to install Sharepoint Portal 2003 next (on a different server) and want to make sure everything goes on the other drive.

Help me, please!!

Thanks :-)

As far as I can remember Sharepoint let you choose the destination of the data files. Anyway the default data directory can be changed in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\Setup

HTH, Jens Suessmeyer.

http://www.sqlserver2005.de
|||Thanks, I'll give it a try.|||

I just tried it and it is still creating new databases on c: drive. We had to slick the server for another reason, so I have a fresh install and told it to install to d:\Program Files\.... during installation and the registry entry did not change; it still pointed to c: drive. I created a d:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Data directory and changed the registry and no joy. Even restarted the server a few times and it didn't matter.

Shouldn't there be a way to change this default in the Server Management Studio?!?

If any can help me, it would be appreciated! This problem is holding up installation of a few more apps.

Thanks!!

|||Sorry for that I copied the wrong key :-(

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=407351&SiteID=1

HTH, jens Suessmeyer.

http://www.sqlserver2005.de
|||

Hi,

Thanks. I actually found out where to do it in the SQL Server Management Studio!

SERVER--PROPERTIES--DATABASE SETTINGS

The path for databases and logs are blank. After I selected my folders on the D: drive I created a new db and it went to the correct path! Whew. Glad that's over with :-)