SQL Server 2008 Express problem

Chris73 · September 6th, 2012, 06:40 AM

Hi Imar,

Please could you advise me on the following issue:

After working through your book, I have created a site using a visual web developer 2010 Express with SQL Server 2008 Express and SP1, on Windows XP 32 bit. Everything worked fine. However, I now need to make some adjustments and the computer I am now using has the Windows 7 Enterprise N 64 bit operating system.
I downloaded visual web developer 2010 express using web platform installer, then opened my site which displayed in the Solution Explorer. However, when I opened Database Explorer and refreshed my database connections my two databases showed the following error window:

The database 'C:\WYKEHAMGALLERY\RELEASE\APP_DATA\ASPNETDB.MDF' cannot be opened because it is version 661. This server supports version 655 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.
Could not open new database 'C:\WYKEHAMGALLERY\RELEASE\APP_DATA\ASPNETDB.MDF'. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
An attempt to attach an auto-named database for file C:\WykehamGallery\Release\App_Data\ASPNETDB.MDF failed. A database with the same name exists, or specified file cannot be opened, or it is located on UNC share.

Can you tell me what I have done wrong?

Many Thanks

Imar · September 6th, 2012, 06:52 AM

Hi Chris,

Looks like a SQL Server version issue. 661 is SQL Server 2008 R2, while 655 is the older SQL Server 2008.

What you could so is this:

1. Through Programs and Features, uninstall SQL Server Express 2008
2. Through the Web Platform Installer, install SQL Server Express 2008 R2

Alternatively, you could install SQL Server 2008 R2 side by side. However, that means you need to give it a different instance name (such as Sql2008R2Express) and then update your connection strings and settings in Visual Studio (Tools | Options | Database Tools | Data Connections | SQL Server Instance Name).

Hope this helps, but let me know if it doesn't.

Cheers,

Imar

Chris73 · September 6th, 2012, 08:13 AM

Hi Imar,

Thanks for your reply. I have uninstalled SQL Server 2008 as instructed and now have SQL Server 2008 Express R2. However, when trying to refresh my databases in Database Explorer I now get the following mesage:

Server Explorer Error

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.

Do you have any ideas?

Many Thanks

Imar · September 6th, 2012, 09:40 AM

Take a look at this post and follow the links that are mentioned: Problem using SQL Server Express 2008

You may need to delete a folder referred to in those posts.

Cheers,

Imar

robochrish · September 25th, 2012, 06:04 AM

I had problems with this as well, but they were solved. My Main problem appeared because apparently SQL Express 2008 isn't compatible with windows 7, so you need to install SQL Express 2008 SP3 instead. Now it works fine, and I can crack on with my learning.
Thank you for this awesome book!

Chris73 · September 25th, 2012, 07:11 PM

Thanks Imar, I deleted the C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Data\SQLEXPRESS directory. I then did a restart.

Many Thanks,

Chris

robochrish · September 27th, 2012, 04:57 AM

I thought that I had fixed this but apparently I havent :( It's really annoying that I have to delete that hidden file in the appdata and then restart my computer every time.
Is there not a fix that would fix it on a more permanent scale?
Thank you

Imar · September 27th, 2012, 10:27 AM

Not that I know; I thought the fixed would solve the problem for good...

Try contacting Microsoft Support. SQL Server is a fully supported product so they should be able to help you out.

Cheers,

Imar

robochrish · September 27th, 2012, 11:12 AM

Oh ok , thank you.
I'll see what happens next time I restart and then take it from there

robochrish · September 28th, 2012, 06:57 AM

It's still not working.
Do you think that I should uninstall SQL Server 2008 express and install 2012 instead?