keep getting random errors everytime i try to restore a database

Question

Hello, I would love to have some remote assistance with my issue. I'm trying to restore a database from an old computer to a new one, but the old computer is on version 12 and any new computer I try to use wants me to upgrade to version 22, and I keep getting different errors every time. I'm so confused, I've tried multiple computers, different versions of MS SQL Server Management Studio and none of them will let me restore my database. It either says my version is not up to date, wont install correctly, or I don't have permission to make this kind of change. I tried the link below but I had no luck.

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio ------------------------------ Restore of database 'fuelmaster' failed. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.RelationalEngineTasks) ------------------------------ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: The database was backed up on a server running version 15.00.2000. That version is incompatible with this server, which is running version 12.00.6179. Either restore the database on a server that supports the backup, or use a backup that is compatible with this server. (Microsoft.SqlServer.SmoExtended) For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=12.0.6179.1+((SQL14_SP3_GDR).230727-1936)&LinkId=20476

I would like to sit down with a tech and either call or remote session. Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Your backup was made on SQL Server 2019 (version 15.00). You're trying to restore it onto SQL Server 2014 (version 12.00). SQL Server can only restore forward to the same or newer version. So the target needs to be 2019 or newer, not older.

The fix:

Install SQL Server 2019 or 2022 on the new computer, then restore the fuelmaster backup into that instance. Once the engine is 2019+, the restore will succeed.