Copy database removed source - Cannot acces mdf file I attempted to copy a database, using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), but right-clicking and following the wizard. I wanted to target server to be the same as the source, so I added "_new" to the database name. 

The process failed (unfortunately I missed the error message) and now the source database is missing as well. I found another post on the same topic, which suggests locating and atttaching the .mdf file.

However, when I try to attach the mdf file, I get the following error meesage:


  Failed to retrieve data for this request. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Sdk.Sfc)




Luckily this was just a test database, so I didn't lose any data, that couldn't be easily reproduced. But is there a way to recover from this? If it ever happened on a production database, I would like to be prepared.
I have never tried to use SSMS to copy a live database as you have done.  But I have copied many, many databases without an issue.

Use the following approach in the future and you will not have the same issue again.

Take a full backup (use COPY_ONLY)

Then restore the backup with a new name.  

Your live database will never be detached, so you won't have to try and figure out how reattach it