Visual Studio 2008 express not recognizing my Sql Server 2008 express

Question

I recently installed in order:

Sql Server 2008 Express

Visual Web Developer Express 2008

When I right click on app_data and try to add a db it returns: Connections to SQL Server files (*.mdf) require SQL Server Express 2005 to function properly. Please verify the installation of the component or download from the URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=49251

I just recently reinstalled windows vista due to registry problems from installing visual web developer before installing sql server. This time the reverse order seemed to work fine until I noticed this problem.

I can copy an MDF file into the app_code directory, but this doesn't seem to solve my problems, as clicking the DB returns the same error.

From what I've gathered from some googling, this error occurs from several different install paths. It probably has nothing to do with 2005 installs (I had not installed any visual studio or sql server 2005s). Its possible they just never upgraded the error message. Does anyone know how to get around this? I would not mind entering in some connection strings, if that will fix the issue.

Headwaters

Answer 1

Is it a 64bit Vista (or rather, 64bit SQL Express installation)? http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;957944&sd=rss&spid=12913

There is a known problem with having a 64bit SQL Express engine for Visual Studio 2008 integration (and it easily happens without your knowledge if you install the SQL Express separately using the web bootstrapper - atleast on my system it installed the 64bit version without telling me at all).

The link above basically tells you to uninstall all SQL Express instances, and then install the x86 SQL Express of your choice and it will start working correctly.

Balfore

Thanks! I can't believe I didn't find that... I am not even going to try to fix it at this point. I just reinstalled Vista after experiencing registry problems from a similar issue (nightmare). Everything is working the way I need it now, so not going to take any chances. Thanks again! – Headwaters

Great! I stumped over this last night getting quite annoyed figuring it out... ^^ – Balfore

Answer 2

I ran into this problem too on 64-bit Windows 7 (using 64-bit SQL Server Express 2008).

There are two methods of fixing this problem referenced in the Microsoft Support Knowledge Base article:

1. Workaround

To work around this problem, uninstall the 64-bit version of SQL Server Express 2008, and then install the 32-bit version of SQL Server Express 2008.

If you don't want to do the uninstall/install, then try the Hotfix method below.

2. Hotfix

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

Although the article itself doesn't include a link to the hotfix, you can get it here: http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=957944

Disagreeable

Success! After several hours of getting SQL 2008 Express (x64) properly installed I didn't want to do it again! So I finally found thins, and the hotfix worked. Excellent. – Bundelkhand

Glad it worked out for you C. Ross -- I wasted a lot of time on this too! – Disagreeable

Answer 3

hi david are you ensuring that the sql express service as well as sql browser service both are running? can you connect to the same sql server express edition via management studio? if not then probably these services are not running on your box

Eulogist

Actually, I had forgotten to check that, I did, turned on the browser. I thought that would do the trick but I got the exact same message. I realized I didn't need that. My entity framework is working fine without it for now. I guess I can add a connection string to a db later! – Headwaters

Answer 4

While I still get the sql server 2005 error, it hasn't stopped me from doing what I needed to do. In the "Database Connections" tab I am able to connect to the MDF after detaching it from Management Studio. I can also use this tab's function to create a new DB file if need be.

Headwaters