(Specifically Windows 2003 32-bit to Windows 2008 R2 64-bit)
This should also work if you are moving SharePoint from a Windows 2003 32-bit to a Windows 2008 R2 64-bit. This is for a single server farm. The SQL Server can be on a separate machine.
Make a batch file. If you are using Windows 2008 or 2008 R2 make sure when you run the batch file to right click and click “Run as administrator”
********* Start Batch File *************
C:
cd\
cd Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\BIN
stsadm -o backup -url https://sharepoint.domain.com -directory \\192.168.1.50\Wholesite -backupmethod full -percentage 10 -backupthreads 3
pause
********* End Batch File *************
The batch file needs to have the URL of the site you are backing up and a UNC path to the folder that will store the backup files. Note: The UNC path is only needed if the SQL Server is a separate machine from the SharePoint server. Without the UNC path the SQL Server would not know where to put the backups of the databases and thus error.
Run the backup batch file.
Install SharePoint on the new server.
When I install SharePoint I use the Advanced Option then I select “Web Front End…” then I click “Install Now” This gives you more options and allows you to select whatever SQL Server you want.
At the end I leave the box checked that says “Run the SharePoint and …” and Click Close.
When the Wizard runs I select “No, I want to create a new server farm”. Now is when you need to put in your database information. The user name needs to be a Windows login not SQL. Note: “If you are using both 64-bit SQL and SharePoint you may need to enable the TCP/IP protocols for the 64-bit the 32-bit seem to be enabled by default.
That is it. Now let’s restore.
Create a batch file. If you are using Windows 2008 or 2008 R2 make sure when you run the batch file to right click and click “Run as administrator”
Here you can use a SQL login
********* Start Batch File *************
c:
cd\
cd Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\BIN
stsadm -o restore -hostheaderwebapplicationurl http://sharepoint.domain.com -directory \\sharepointtest\restoresp -restoremethod new -username sa -password xxxxxxxx -newdatabaseserver sql2008
pause
********* End Batch File *************
KEY: The SQL Server SQL Service has to be running under an account that has access to the Share where your restore files are located.
The first thing you will get asked is “New web application URL” and it will give you a default option but do not use it. This will be the default from the server you backed up from. The only exception is if this server has the same server name. We want to use something like https://servername:portnumber. The S in https is optional and will depend on if you used SSL in the backed up SharePoint site.
- Then it asks you for the “New web application name” I leave this at the default.
- Now it asks you for “New server name”. This is your SQL server name. You need to enter the name of the SQL server. It can be just the server name or you may need to enter servername\incidentname.
- “New directory name” I look at the default data path on the SQL server and I use that. Sample “C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA”
- “New database name” you can select the default.
- “New web application URL” this is where you want to use the URL of your SharePoint Site. Example https://sharepoint.domain.com/ Make sure and use the S if you are using SSL.
- “New web application name” You can use the Default.
- “New server name” this is the SQL Server name again. Same as #2
- “New directory name” Same as #3.
- “New database name” You can use the Default.
- “New server name” Same as #2.
- “New directory name” Same as #3.
- “New database name” You can use the Default.
Now if you restored a site that uses an SSL Certificate you need to attach that certificate to the IIS web site that was created during the Restore.

