Hi, i use sql server 2005 express where i created several databases. When opening Management Studio, i can see, besides my databases, also Master, Model etc .. which manage the databases. Now i also use MDF files which are disseminated on the same server. I see that for one given user, there is also a Master, Model etc ... in c:\document and settings\that user\ .....

My question is: are those local Master, Model etc ... related with the central Master, Model ... of the central database system or are they independant? What if i delete the MDF files and its related system files in c:\.doc and settings\.. ?

Thanks

Each user will get there own user instance set of system databases when they connect for the first time and the User Instance option is set to True.

Since the system databases are copied locally when the user connects, I don't see why you can't delete them. However, I have never tried to delete them before.

You should read up on User Instances @ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb264564.aspx.

HTH

Adam Gossage
Lake Wylie, SC, USA

thanks