I have Windows 8 and SQL Express Edition 2008 R2 (64 bit). I had no problem to connect the database. I copied PlanetWrox.mdf from your download code folder Chapter 12/Resources...

I got an error message "The database file is not compatible with the current instance of the user". I checked the properties and connection out. They look right.

Suggestions??
Shall I upgrade SQL Server Express Edition 2012?

Hi there,

The database that comes with the book is for SQL Server 2012 and as such cannot be opened with SQL Server 2008.

A few solutions:

1. Use (LocalDB)\v11.0 as the SQL Server instance. You can set this under Tools | Options | Database Tools | Data Connections | SQL Server instance name in VS. Local DB gets installed with VS so that should work.

2. Install 2012 Express side by side. This gives it a new instance name so you need to update the setting from 1) as well.

3. Uninstall the current Express edition and install SQL Server 2012 Express.

Note: only Chapter 12 uses an existing database. The other chapters show you how to create your own; if you start your own database, you can target 2008 R2.

Cheers,

Imar

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Imar Spaanjaars
http://Imar.Spaanjaars.Com
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Author of Beginning ASP.NET 4.5 : in C# and VB, Beginning ASP.NET Web Pages with WebMatrix
and Beginning ASP.NET 4 : in C# and VB.
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Which version of SQL Express edition shall be compatible with PlanetWrox.mdf which came from Beginning ASP.NET 4.0 in C# and VB? I currently used SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1. I downloaded right version NorthWinds Database through Google. It worked fine. I have another PlanetWrox.mdf from the book 4.5. I will try to uninstall current SQL and then I will install SQL Server 2012 Express. Is PlanetWrox.mdf from 4.5 compatible with SQL Server 2012 Express or SQL Server 2013 Express? Please let me know.

The 4.0 book uses SQL Server 2008 R2, the 4.5 book uses SQL Server 2012.

Cheers,

Imar

__________________
Imar Spaanjaars
http://Imar.Spaanjaars.Com
Follow me on Twitter

Author of Beginning ASP.NET 4.5 : in C# and VB, Beginning ASP.NET Web Pages with WebMatrix
and Beginning ASP.NET 4 : in C# and VB.
Did this post help you? Click the button below this post to show your appreciation!

When I first started doing it I tried to attach the .mdf file that comes with the download using 2008R2 and it couldn't even see it. Then I had got 2012 SQL Server and when I tried to attach to it gave me error messages something like access denied for Vbboyd/PC-Owner type of a error message. I can't remember right off hand what I had to do make it like it, I think, but I am not sure, that I had to right click on the .mdf file in windows explorer go to properties and go to the security tab and added my user credentials to the .mdf file. I think that is what I did but I am not sure. At least whatever I did it worked. I think that is what I did, but it has been quite a few months back since I did that so now I don't remember exactly, precisely, step by step what I did.