Can't bind to SQL Server Express Data Source

Hi everyone,

I am experimenting with Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express.

I have a local copy of SQL Server running, and have created a sample database on it. The SQL Server service is running, and accepting connections. I can connect to it using ODBC and the Native Client libraries.

However, when I go to bind the SQL Server database as a data source, it is not available.

My only options are to bind to an Access (.mdb) file or a SQL Server Database file (.mdf). There is no option for me to bind to the database without having access to the db file itself. I know I've gotten this to work before, but the relevant option seems ot be missing from my Add Connections wizard. Any ideas?

[738 byte] By [VadimPokotilov] at [2007-12-17]
# 1
Hi Vadim,

Is the database that you are trying to connect on your local machine, or on a network? One limitation of Visual Basic Express is that it only supports local data - you can't access a database over a network.

Hope this helps,
Steve Hoag
Visual Basic Express

shoagMSFT at 2007-10-6 > top of Msdn Tech,Visual Studio Express Editions,Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition...
# 2
Ahh, then that makes perfect sense. The database is on my local machine, but I was trying to access it via the IP loopback interface. I am able to access the database file on my local machine directly.

The only werid thing is I thought I got it to work the first time I played around with VB Express, but it's very likely (in fact, based on what you explained it seems certain) I was accessing the DB using the DB file.

Thanks for your help!

VadimPokotilov at 2007-10-6 > top of Msdn Tech,Visual Studio Express Editions,Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition...
# 3
Hi Steve,

I think SQL Server Express can be configured to accept remote connections but this is not a default installation. http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlexpress/archive/2005/05/05/415084.aspx

I was hoping Visual Basic Express could use remote connections with SQL Express if this was done.

GS

GS at 2007-10-6 > top of Msdn Tech,Visual Studio Express Editions,Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition...