Permissions are correct for All Users, I'm logged on as Administrator, and I have tried both mdf's. One in Chap 12 and one in Sql2005, I'm using Windows 7 and all updates are up to date.

Does anyone have a possible solution. I'm stuck.

My error message when trying to open (double-click) both databases is:

Failed to generate a user instance of SQL Server due to a failure in starting the process for the user instance. The connection will be closed.

Thanks,

JKoyle

Hi there,

By default Visual Studio assumes your SQL Server instance is called .\SqlExpress. Maybe that's causing the issue? Did you install SQL like this as explained in Chapter 1? Do you know the name of your SQL Server instance?

Also, try Google for the exact error messages. This error has been reported a number of times before. The solution is often related to deleting a user folder under Documents for a specific account, but you'll need to read the posts yourself to determine which solution applies to you.

Here's a similar case where deleting the folder seemed to work: Failed to generate user instance of SQL Server

Cheers,

Imar

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It was a name issue, \SqlExpress, however, in using Visual Studio 2010 Professional, it wasn't and still isn't easy to connect to the database.

I had to select Connect to database from the Server Explorer. I had to name the database and I also had to attach a database file. I could browse to select the PlanetWrox.mdf file.

There was a Test Connection button to test. Mine worked.

My question now is, why doesn't the PlanetWrox.mdf get connected automatically when the solution (DatabaseTest) is opened?

Maybe VS 2010 is set up to use a different SQL Server? You can check the default settings under Tools | Options | Database Tools | Data Connections.

Also, make sure your version of SQL Server is compatible with the PW MDF files (SQL Server 2008 or later).

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.
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Thanks. The resolved the issue.

jkoyle