Absolute beginner question...

Question

I have SQL Server 2005 on Windows XP SP2 - I'm trying to write a simple app in VB that will read and write just text from a simple SQL database - my problem is, it just won't connect. I know I have SQL Server 2005 installed, but I just have no idea how to make an actual connection or create a new database - I say '(local)', localhost, but it doesn't matter - it always just saying ' to SQL host'. How do I actually create a running SQL server on my computer? I can't hook one up online, I just want to use it as a data source, it's so frustrating...I can even see the sqlservr.exe process in task manager...

Mike Gold · Answer

1) Go to View --> Server Explorer in the VS.NET 2005 menu 2) Right Click on Data Connections and Add a Connection 3) Choose Sql Client 4) Choose your Sql Server. 5) If your server is not showing up you may need to type it in manually. You can find the name of the server by launching Microsoft Sql Server->Enterprise Manager. You can also set passwords and other tasks in sql server using the manager. (If you go to the security tab you can set windows authentication for your local machine so you don't need to connect through a user name and password) 6) once you type the correct server name a list of databases will pop up in the database combo in the connection dialog.