SQL Server – What Can Be Done with VIEW SERVER STATE Permissions

Looks like SSMS is causing this confusion. My guess is that having to select the files in a dialog box means that the account SSMS is running under also needs permissions to the file.

As long as the service account has permission to the file, then you should be able to attach the database using t-sql.

Try using the sp_ attach _db You'll need to login as sa or use setuser or use the CREATE DATABASE... FOR ATTACH

If you really must use SSMS & the thought of T-SQL makes you want to throw-up then create a user account for the sql server service to run under & then use this account to start SSMS.

According to SQL Server 2008 help:

Requires CREATE TABLE permission in the database and ALTER permission on the schema in which the table is being created.

I just tested this by using EXECUTE AS in a test database, and I was able to create a table in the schema that had ALTER permission, but not in the dbo schema (for which I didn't grant ALTER permission). So as long as you haven't gotten too liberal with ALTER permission on schemas, this should be the way to do it.