title: Database not displaying in Management Studio but data file present in DATA directory
body: <p>TL;DR Some databases that have data files in my local MSSql Express DATA directory stopped appearing in Management Studio.</p>
  
  <p>I inherited a development environment on my desktop at work which includes an MSSql Express 2008 instance. Now, I know I've probably done something with the config, but for the life of me can't remember having done anything that could have the effect I'm seeing.</p>
  
  <p>I come into work on morning and to a pile of errors from an application saying that it could not connect to its database. When I start Management Studio to check what's up, I can't see the databases listed anymore. Checking the DATA directory, the mdb file, and log file for the databases are all present.</p>
  
  <p>This is on an SQL Server Express 2008 r2 installation on a Windows 7 workstation.</p>
  
  <p>Anyone any ideas what I can do to reinstate the databases? (Yes, I'm a know-nothing when it comes to MSSql)</p>