Converting Non-Unicode to Unicode

What is the best way to convert a large 24/7 database to Unicode? We have
various varchar and text fields that need to become nvarchar and ntext
respectively. I know I can alter the tables to do the varchars, but that
would have to be offline (looks like like about 2 hours per column on my
50 million record table). Text fields can't be converted with an alter so
they have to be copied to a new column. I was just wondering if anybody
has experience converting these.
Why not design another table with new datatypes and use DTS or BULK insert to import data from the old table.
Once data is propogated delete the old table and rename new to old to handle the application.
HTH
--
Satya SKJ
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"Brad" wrote:

> What is the best way to convert a large 24/7 database to Unicode? We have
> various varchar and text fields that need to become nvarchar and ntext
> respectively. I know I can alter the tables to do the varchars, but that
> would have to be offline (looks like like about 2 hours per column on my
> 50 million record table). Text fields can't be converted with an alter so
> they have to be copied to a new column. I was just wondering if anybody
> has experience converting these.
>
|||In article <38E5F8AA-A720-4E27-A01F-9BB364263191@.microsoft.com>,
satyaskj@.yahoo.co.uk said...
> Why not design another table with new datatypes and use DTS or BULK insert to import data from the old table.
> Once data is propogated delete the old table and rename new to old to handle the application.
Because I need to do it as on-line as possible. If I do a copy I will
have to shut down the site before I begin and I know it will take quite a
while.