How to integrate SQL Server 2005 Express Edition to Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition

Question

Hi. I use Visual Web Developer Express Edition 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Express edition. I have finished a project recently. But many of hosting firms don't have SQL Server 2008. So i decided to uninstall SQL Server 2008 and install SQL Server 2005. Then I would reproduce my database. I uninstalled SQL Server 2008, installed SQL Server 2005. In project, When i clicked "App_Data - Add new item - SQL Server Database", an error accured "Connections to SQL server files (*.mdf) require SQL Server 2005 to function properly. Please verify the installation of the component or download from the URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkId=49251". I couldn't add a new database to my project.

So how do i integrate SQL Server 2005 Express Edition to Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition?

Answer 1

Check the setting under Tools > Options > Database Tools > Data Connections for the SQL Server Instance Name refers to the name of your SQL Express 2005 instance. Check SQL Server Express is running using the SQL Server Configuration Manager.