"B. Chernick" <BChernick@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:54B66F84-590F-4040-9EA5-1894E48B8165@microsoft.com...
>I should have mentioned that my main intent was to try Linq. Looks like
>I'll
> have to do it in Web Developer Express 2008. (looks like normal drivers
> there)
>
> Thanks.
>
> "Miro" wrote:
>
>> You cannot connect to a (local)\filename.mdf file or a .\filename.mdf
>>
>> I had the same issue a while ago.
>>
>> Search the newsgroup by a posting by me on Feb 14th 2008 at 2:56 am...
>> here
>> is the copy and paste below:
>>
>> MSDN Link is provided
>> I beleive this has changed since the 2005 version of express... you can
>> still download the version of 2005 by going to the express download and
>> you
>> should notice an icon for 2005 on the top left.
>> I have not re-downloaded...i just started using the full path for the
>> file.
>> It really is a pain in the butt when you have a 2005 book to learn on
>> 2008.
>>
>> Take note!!! the express version of asp.net allows the (
>> local )\connection
>> as you are connecting differently.
>>
>>
>> ======
>> I think I found the posts I was looking for:
>>
>> http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2615612&SiteID=1
>>
>> Express editions do not let you connect to a (local)\SQLExpress\
>>
>> They only allow you to connect straight to a local file.
>>
>> Sorry for all the posts everyone,
>>
>> Hopefully these posts and this one will help any new newbies out so they
>> dont go thru the headache like I did.
>>
>> Miro
>>
>> ======= end of paste
>>
>> "B. Chernick" <BChernick@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:4DEAC66F-FB42-4905-A379-C1AD32915310@microsoft.com...
>> >I just started doing some basic exercises with Visual Basic 2008 Express
>> > Edition (Version 9.0.21022.8 RTM, Microsoft .NET Framework Version 3.5)
>> > and I
>> > do not seem to have what I would call routine data drivers installed.
>> > Initially, I only want to connect to a Northwinds db in my local SQL
>> > Server
>> > 2000 instance but the only drivers available are Microsoft Access
>> > DataBase
>> > file, Microsoft Sql Server Compact 3.5, and Microsoft SQL Server
>> > Database
>> > File. I don't need Access and the other two don't seem to create db
>> > connections in a manner I am familiar with.
>> >
>> > What am I missing and how do I add it? Or is it impossible to do
>> > 'normal'
>> > database connections in the Express version?
>>
>>