Sql – Visual Studio 2008 express not recognizing the Sql Server 2008 express

netsql servervisual-web-developer

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.

Best Answer

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.