On 64-bit systems this error is often caused by 32/64 bit mismatch between Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Express. Visual Studio team published the following fix:
I've been reading through for hours and nothing seems to work. I've uninstalled and reinstalled (all options) of Visual studio 2010 Ultimate in hopes that that version of Sql Express would do it, uninstalled all versions of sql server (including full version)
and tried multiple variations and even added an mdf to a vs2008 project (which worked) and then upgrading it to 2010 but it wouldn't grab the mdf. Definitely some kind of bug and it's really bothering me because everything I see from Microsoft is trying to
point to configuration and user error. This IS a bug of some sort Microsoft...please get a clue and FIX it. Search around and see that tons of people are having this same problem in VS2010.
I had SQL server 2008 R2 Express and i have the same issue in VS 2010. I fixed it when I Installed the SQL Server 2008 express and uninstalled my last SQL Server (I had the 2012 version and I uninstalled too). So, unfortunatelly, the only way i found to
solve the problem is to install the SQL Server 2005/2008 Express.
kozielczykk
Member
2 Points
1 Post
Re: connection to SQL Server files (*.mdf) require SQL server express 2005 to function properly.
Jun 11, 2010 10:44 PM|LINK
On 64-bit systems this error is often caused by 32/64 bit mismatch between Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Express. Visual Studio team published the following fix:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957944
I hope this will solve your problem,
Good luck,
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
oludegun
Member
2 Points
1 Post
Re: connection to SQL Server files (*.mdf) require SQL server express 2005 to function properly.
Aug 21, 2010 02:59 PM|LINK
yes sql server express require sql server files(*.mdf) to funtion properly
ahillyer
Member
571 Points
302 Posts
Re: connection to SQL Server files (*.mdf) require SQL server express 2005 to function properly.
Sep 03, 2010 01:17 AM|LINK
I've been reading through for hours and nothing seems to work. I've uninstalled and reinstalled (all options) of Visual studio 2010 Ultimate in hopes that that version of Sql Express would do it, uninstalled all versions of sql server (including full version) and tried multiple variations and even added an mdf to a vs2008 project (which worked) and then upgrading it to 2010 but it wouldn't grab the mdf. Definitely some kind of bug and it's really bothering me because everything I see from Microsoft is trying to point to configuration and user error. This IS a bug of some sort Microsoft...please get a clue and FIX it. Search around and see that tons of people are having this same problem in VS2010.
juanfelipeca...
Member
6 Points
3 Posts
Re: connection to SQL Server files (*.mdf) require SQL server express 2005 to function properly.
Feb 20, 2013 03:53 PM|LINK
I had SQL server 2008 R2 Express and i have the same issue in VS 2010. I fixed it when I Installed the SQL Server 2008 express and uninstalled my last SQL Server (I had the 2012 version and I uninstalled too). So, unfortunatelly, the only way i found to solve the problem is to install the SQL Server 2005/2008 Express.