SQL Server database restore error: specified cast is not valid. (SqlManagerUI)

I am using SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard (version 10.50.1600.1) for my production website and SQL Server Express edition with Advanced Services (v10.50.1600.1) for my localhost as a database.

Few days back my SQL Server crashed and I had to install a new 2008 R2 Express version on my localhost. It worked fine when I restored some older versions taken from Express edition but when I try to restore database from .bak file which is taken from production server it is causing the following error:

Error: Specified cast is not valid. (SqlManagerUI)

and when I try to restore the database using command

Use Master
Go
RESTORE DATABASE Publications
FROM DISK = 'C:\Publications.bak'
WITH MOVE 'Publications' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.SQLEXPRESS2008R2\MSSQL\DATA\Publications.mdf',--adjust path
MOVE 'AlPublications_log' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.SQLEXPRESS2008R2\MSSQL\DATA\Publications.ldf'

It generates a different error

Msg 3154, Level 16, State 4, Line 1
The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing 'Publications' database.
Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally.

I have cross checked the versions. They all seem matching to me as shown in the image below

Previously I was able to restore a database from standard version to express edition but now it fails. I deleted the database and tried to recreate it. That fails, too.

I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I would appreciate help in this regarding

Issue was resolved as it seems .bak file was corrupt. When I tried it with a different file it worked.

Solution 1:

Could be because of restoring SQL Server 2012 version backup file into SQL Server 2008 R2 or even less.

Solution 2:

The GUI can be fickle at times. The error you got when using T-SQL is because you're trying to overwrite an existing database, but did not specify to overwrite/replace the existing database. The following might work:

Use Master
Go
RESTORE DATABASE Publications
  FROM DISK = 'C:\Publications_backup_2012_10_15_010004_5648316.bak'
  WITH 
    MOVE 'Publications' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.SQLEXPRESS2008R2\MSSQL\DATA\Publications.mdf',--adjust path
    MOVE 'Publications_log' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.SQLEXPRESS2008R2\MSSQL\DATA\Publications.ldf'
, REPLACE -- Add REPLACE to specify the existing database which should be overwritten.