Problems connecting to local SQL server [HELP!]

Hi all,

I have the developer edition of Visual Studio 2005. After successfully installing it in my local machine, I wanted to create a small application which connects to a database. I accessed the Server Explorer tool, right clicked on Data Connections and brought up the Create New SQL Server Database option.

The issue now is that I don't see a list of servers in the "Server Name" drop down box although in the Server Explorer itself, I have a server listed (your-c6b5e4eabc - The default computer name of my local machine).

I am given to believe that SQL server is unable to make a connection because I have not configured something which is essential.

I hope someone can point me as to how to make databases using SQL server and connect them to the application the way developers usually do. I'm a complete novice to VS 2005, and the SQL server configuration options have got me confused.

I'm not sure if this will help, but I'll include this here anyway :

When I tried copying and pasting the server name (your-c6b5e4eabc) into the "Server Name" drop down box and creating a database by entering a name in the "Enter database name" textbox, I get the following error message -

An error occured while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings, SQL server does not allow remote connections. provider : Named Pipes Provider error : 40 Error : Could not open a connection to SQL Server.

I'm running Windows XP Media Center Edition v2002 SP 2.

I just want to be able to create and work with databases from within the applications I create in Visual Studio 2005. I played around with the configuration options (like enabling some protocols, the SQL server browser etc., but to no avail.) Is there a way to revert back to the default settings in an easy way? Thanks in advance for all your guidance...

Have a look in my screencasts section on my site showing you the way to enabled remote connections.

HTH, Jens SUessmeyer.

http://www.sqlserver2005.de

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Hey there,

Thanks very much for your screencast link. I think we should have more such user-friendly guides for first timers to Visual Studio. Unfortunately, I'm still facing the same problem creating a database from the Server Explorer.

I also have a rider question here : Although I've made a typical installation of Visual Studio 2005, the service I seem to be running isn't MSSQLSERVER, but rather SQLEXPRESS. I really need someone to throw more light on this aspect of Visual Studio 2005...or is my case an aberration?

Also, I mentioned playing around with the settings of the SQL Server 2005 Configuration Manager...can that be affecting things in any way? What are the ideal settings to connect to the server from within the server explorer in VS 2005? Most notably, I've set the SQL Server 2005 Services (SQLExoress and SQLBrowser) to log on as "NT Authority/LocalService"...is this the right setting?

Thanks again.

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Hi, thanks for the feedback, if you have any upcoming ideas about screencasts, feel free to contact me :-).

1.
SQL Server Express comes with VS 2005, you can use SQL Server Express at no charge. The SQL Server instances are reflected in the Service names, which are for a default instance MSSQLSERVER and for named Instances MSSQL$InstanceName. Named instances can be accessed by using the MachineName\InstanceName (and in addition if you don′t use the default port the ",portnumber" addition to the) name.

2.
Sure, changing the configuration will affect the current SQL Server instance (some changes might be reflected after the next reboot, like the remote connections setting). Local Services is fine if you don′t need any network ressources.

HTH, Jens Suessmeyer.

http://www.sqlserver2005.de