Please note that the procedure changes based on which version of the default database you are using. Noah 4.14 and prior versions use the SQL Compact Edition (CE) database, whereas 4.15 and higher uses the SQLite database.

Before proceeding, we recommend verifying which database is being used by finding the Noah version number. To do so, open Noah, click the Help tab, and select About Noah from the drop down menu. This will display the version number.

If Noah System has been using the default database and is now switching to SQL server, the old database file with patient data is left on the Noah server after migration to the SQL server. The database is located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\HIMSA Shared

  • If using SQLite, the database file is called NOAHDatabaseCoreSQLite.db
    • NOAHDatabaseCoreSQLite.db is regenerated when the Noah Server service is restarted, so while it can be cleared of data, it cannot be entirely removed.
  • If using Compact Edition, the database file is called NOAHDatabaseCoreSqlCompact.sdf
    • Note that the SQL Compact Edition database program is installed on the server. This program is required for Noah 4.14 and prior versions to function, and should not be uninstalled.
    • The NOAHDatabaseCoreSqlCompact.sdf and NoahCfgDatabase.sdf are regenerated when the Noah Server service is restarted, so while they can be cleared of data, they cannot be entirely removed.

I. Verify that you have successfully switched over to Microsoft SQL Server and your patients are in the SQL database. 

  • You can do this by launching the Noah Console, selecting Database Administration, and under Summary you will see you are not using CE or SQLite. 
  • Alternately you can launch the SQL Management Studio and connect to the instance you created for the Noah Database. Under Databases navigate to NoahDatabaseCore. Expand to view the tables. Open the Patient table and verify the migrated patients are present.

II. Navigate to the Noah database file (NOAHDatabaseCoreSQLite.db or NOAHDatabaseCoreSqlCompact.sdf) located at Program Files/Common Files/HIMSA Shared 

III. End the Noah Server service in Windows Services or Task Manager

IV. Rename the file to NOAHDatabaseCoreSQLite.old or NOAHDatabaseCoreSqlCompact.old found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\HIMSA Shared

V. Launch Noah and verify you can select patients and work with Noah.

VI. At this point you can remove the database file. You can choose to archive or delete the renamed file.