Large database in SQL Server Express 2008

backupfilesrestoresql-server-2008

I've got a large backup that I need to partially install into our instance of SQL Server express 2008. The backup file is over the 4096Mb limit that restricts SQL Server Express. Is there any way to do a partial restore?

This database is from a customer and I need to do some development against it. We don't have any licensed versions of SQL Server 2008 that I can restore this data into and chop it apart.

Incidentally, the error I get is :

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Restore failed for Server 'ZEPPO\SQLEXPRESS'. (Microsoft.SqlServer.SmoExtended)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0+((Katmai_PCU_Main).090329-1045+)&EvtSrc=Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.ExceptionTemplates.FailedOperationExceptionText&EvtID=Restore+Server&LinkId=20476


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: CREATE DATABASE or ALTER DATABASE failed because the resulting cumulative database size would exceed your licensed limit of 4096 MB per database. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0+((Katmai_PCU_Main).090329-1045+)&LinkId=20476

Thanks

Best Answer

As an alternative, is it feasible to use a Developer copy for your development work?