I'm on the first TIO on page 218, and seem to be at a roadblock. Steps 2 and 3 seem to be telling me to do the same thing. Additionally, when I add the SqlDataSource, and goto configure it, I get a popup error that states "cannot get web application service". I click OK, and the drop down is empty, and "new connection..." nothing happens.

I did not find anything in the eratta for this, and I made sure I didnt miss any steps, so I figure I may have done something wrong here?

There are certainly errors in this chapter. I didt get your error at that point although you are correct that point 3 doesnt work quite as the book says. I am stuck at page 228, point 5 where my code bears no resemblance to the code printed in the book !

Bit late I know, but may help other people with same problem.

(This is using VS2005) Go into Tools, Options, Database Tools, Data Connections and ensure the "SQL Server Instance Name" is left blank. That way you can select the Data Source Type when you configure the SQLDataSource (in this case SQLServer Database File).