Help With Visual Studio 2008 & SQL Server 2005 Express

Rambo · December 17th, 2009, 07:30 AM

Dear Expert,

I upgraded to windows 7 and visual studio 2008, but I didn't upgraded to SQL Server 2008.

My problem I can't connect to SQL Server through Server Explorer windows I get the following error:

Message="A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)"
Source=".Net SqlClient Data Provider"
ErrorCode=-2146232060

I tried the following before post this issue:

I Checked the instance name and it matched the one in the connection string
Checked the my user account if it's already added to the SQL server sysadmin role.
I ran Visual Studio 2008 as administrator.

So please any one can help me please share my your knowledge

Thanks in advance

Rambo · December 17th, 2009, 01:41 PM

No body here ?????????????????????????????????????

melvik · December 21st, 2009, 11:16 AM

once I had this Conn problem after installing SQL 2008 in my PC with XP, I have no answer since I guess I was trail version or not release & I mean it was wrong DVD I had.
I uninstall 2008 & install 2005 instead.
I suggest u to connect MS support ;)
the problem must me with MDAC ...

& let me know about result

Rambo · December 21st, 2009, 12:08 PM

I would like to thank you for trying to help me.

I think my problem was installing Visual Studio 2005 & SQL Server 2005 Express both don't have the required service packs to run under windows 7.

And I made my problem even harder by installing SQL Server 2005 Express with SP3 (the required SP in order to run under windows 7) over the old installation !, And I wasn't able to uninstall it.

The solution for this problem after wide research on the web is the magical solution : The Format ! , Then I installed SQL Server SP 3 and it worked with Visual Studio 2005 fine.

Thank you again.