I cannot seem to connect to the ASPNETDB.MDF file provided with the chapters code. Even when I just try connecting to it directly from the Server Explorer in VS2005, I get an error. I click on new connection (under data connections), then i select "Microsoft SQL Server Database File", then I navigate to the file and select it. For the login I leave it as "Windows Authentication". Testing the connection I get the error:

"An error has occured while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (Provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)"

If anyone has any idea why I cant seem to be able to connect to the .MDF file please let me know. I do have SQL Server 2005 installed, its possible that the full version is interfering with my attempt to connect to the express edition file.

Any help is appreciated.

Nik

Looks like I needed to read the readme.txt file that was included with the full website's code. I wish it was also included along with the chapters, making it easier to get them to run.

I always recommend people start looking at the code download right away. The book doesn't stand alone. The book assumes that you have the full code loaded up in Visual Studio. The book explains how the site was designed and it touches on the most interesting code routines. But only a small part of the code actually appears in the book.

The readme was written after the book was completed. It's purpose is to explain how to plug in the sample DB and code and make them work.

You've hit on one of the most confusing aspects of SQL Server 2005. The auto-connect feature that lets ASP.NET access a DB without first connecting it to the server is a great idea. But many of the DB tools you need for SQL database maintenance require an actual connection between SQL Server and the DB. The "look ma...no strings" idea was not fully implemented.

Eric

I had the same error when running my application. the solution to my problem was just to remove this:
User Instance=True

in your web.config file!


error:

"An error has occured while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (Provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)"

i actually needed user instance im running sql express i had the same problem it might be that sql server isnt running open sql server configuration manager and turning on sql server this should be under the sql server configuration manager->sql server 2005 services