Migrating db's from 2000 to 2005 results in truncated columns?

Hi all,

Today I stumbled across something very strange. A couple weeks ago we migrated 2 servers from sql2000 to sql2005, and changed the default colation at the same time. The way I did it was I backed up all the user databases to *.bak files, uninstalled sql2000, installed sql2005 using the new default colation, and restored the databases. Today we discovered any columns that used to be char(xxx) were truncated to char(255), and the leftover went into a new column (i.e. a char(300) column became 2 columns, column1 char(255) and column2 char(45)).

Does this remotely make sense to anyone? I tested this out creating a dummy database and going from a 2k to 2k5 instance with the same colations would not split the columns, however from 2k to 2k5 with a different colation does. And so far it only appears to have affected the char datatype.

(note this is from sql2k sp3a to sql2k5 without sp1)

Is this a bug or am I just whacked?

Thanks

Anyone?|||

I'm moving this thread to the database engine forum, where you're more likely to get help.

Paul

Migrate from 2000 to 2005

Is there a tool available (or planned) to migrate SQL Server 2000 database to SQL Server 2005 ? I came across this (http://www.timespring.net/TS_TD_SQL05offer.htm?track=NL-464&ad=524331) but are there any other tools ?
Has Microsoft planned anything of its own for this ?http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=63FCE120-5E87-4AF1-B080-CA461AEAFAA2&displaylang=en

Looking for something like this ?? Moreover, SQL Server 2005 will contain a upgrade wizard AFAIK.|||Thanks for the response. Yes, I went through (and even tried) SQL Server Ugrade advisor. But not sure if Microsoft has plans to ship "Upgrade Wizard" kind of utility as shipped with SQL Server 2000. I couldn't find any reference to such utility being planned in their site.|||Quoting from the new version of the HOLY BOOK (BOL 2005)

Upgrading to SQL Server 2005 from a previous SQL Server version is supported by the SQL Server 2005 Setup program. You can also migrate databases from previous SQL Server versions to an instance of SQL Server 2005. Migration can be from one SQL Server instance to another on the same computer, or from a SQL Server instance on another server. Migration options include use of the Copy Database Wizard, Backup and restore functionality, use of the SQL Server 2005 Integration Services Import and Export Wizard, and bulk export/bulk import methods.|||More information on how to upgrade : http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/default.aspx.

Web Version of the new BOL can be found here.