if you have sql server2008 developer edition : 1)create "aspnetdb" database with "aspnet_regsql" in vs command prompt. 2)find location of " aspnetdb.mdf" and " aspnetdb_log.ldf " files with right click on database name in mss management studio. 3)stop sqlserver service. 4)copy two files .mdf and .ldf in App_Data folder of your site. 5)start sqlserver service. 6)attach aspnetdb database from files to sqlserver. 6)chang in machine.config file instance to false:instance=false. 7)press asp.net configuration in your project. 8)define your users and roles. make sure to create ur website project in "C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\Visual Studio 2008" roozbeh noroozy GIS Developer in IRAN -Tehran: roozbeh.n@live.com with thanks from: sanjitpatel : http://forums.asp.net/p/1090491/2802641.aspx#2802641 and thomassamson : http://forums.asp.net/t/913172.aspx?PageIndex=2

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The full version of SQL Server doesn't support creating [user instance] 'attached' databases like sql express does (it looks like the connection string is intended for sql express).

create and use the database on your sql server.

then use a connection string something like: "server=localhost;database=TimeTracker;uid=sa;pwd=.."  (or use integrated security) 

Change in connectionString User Instance = false

<connectionStrings>
  <add name="aspnet_staterKits_TimeTracker" connectionString="Data Source=RELSEC_FE\SQLServer2005;Integrated Security=True;AttachDBFilename=|DataDirectory|TimeTracker.mdf;User Instance=false"/>
  <remove name="LocalSqlServer"/>
  <add name="LocalSqlServer" connectionString="Data Source=RELSEC_FE\SQLServer2005;Integrated Security=True;AttachDBFilename=|DataDirectory|TimeTracker.mdf;User Instance=false"/>
 </connectionStrings>

I had some Visual Web Designer created <add name=> tag that was messing things up, I changed it as you directed (to 'LocalSqlServer', removing/creating) and it finally worked.  Days if effort would have been saved had I happened across your article.  I have no idea why VWD creates useless code like this in web.config, should have written it myself really and not relied on it in all honesty.  Many thanks for post Scott.

Thats great

Hi,

I am having a similar problem on sqlserver, but i get it only on login page after submit, other wise its working fine.

do you have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured

SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified

[SqlException (0x80131904): A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)]
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnection.OnError(SqlException exception, Boolean breakConnection) +4846887
   System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.ThrowExceptionAndWarning(TdsParserStateObject stateObj) +194
   System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.Connect(ServerInfo serverInfo, SqlInternalConnectionTds connHandler, Boolean ignoreSniOpenTimeout, Int64 timerExpire, Boolean encrypt, Boolean trustServerCert, Boolean integratedSecurity, SqlConnection owningObject) +4860189
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnectionTds.AttemptOneLogin(ServerInfo serverInfo, String newPassword, Boolean ignoreSniOpenTimeout, Int64 timerExpire, SqlConnection owningObject) +90
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnectionTds.LoginNoFailover(String host, String newPassword, Boolean redirectedUserInstance, SqlConnection owningObject, SqlConnectionString connectionOptions, Int64 timerStart) +342
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnectionTds.OpenLoginEnlist(SqlConnection owningObject, SqlConnectionString connectionOptions, String newPassword, Boolean redirectedUserInstance) +221
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnectionTds..ctor(DbConnectionPoolIdentity identity, SqlConnectionString connectionOptions, Object providerInfo, String newPassword, SqlConnection owningObject, Boolean redirectedUserInstance) +189
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionFactory.CreateConnection(DbConnectionOptions options, Object poolGroupProviderInfo, DbConnectionPool pool, DbConnection owningConnection) +185
   System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.CreatePooledConnection(DbConnection owningConnection, DbConnectionPool pool, DbConnectionOptions options) +31
   System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.CreateObject(DbConnection owningObject) +433
   System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.UserCreateRequest(DbConnection owningObject) +66
   System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.GetConnection(DbConnection owningObject) +499
   System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.GetConnection(DbConnection owningConnection) +65
   System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionClosed.OpenConnection(DbConnection outerConnection, DbConnectionFactory connectionFactory) +117
   System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.Open() +122
   System.Web.DataAccess.SqlConnectionHolder.Open(HttpContext context, Boolean revertImpersonate) +87
   System.Web.DataAccess.SqlConnectionHelper.GetConnection(String connectionString, Boolean revertImpersonation) +221
   System.Web.Security.SqlMembershipProvider.GetPasswordWithFormat(String username, Boolean updateLastLoginActivityDate, Int32& status, String& password, Int32& passwordFormat, String& passwordSalt, Int32& failedPasswordAttemptCount, Int32& failedPasswordAnswerAttemptCount, Boolean& isApproved, DateTime& lastLoginDate, DateTime& lastActivityDate) +815
   System.Web.Security.SqlMembershipProvider.CheckPassword(String username, String password, Boolean updateLastLoginActivityDate, Boolean failIfNotApproved, String& salt, Int32& passwordFormat) +105
   System.Web.Security.SqlMembershipProvider.CheckPassword(String username, String password, Boolean updateLastLoginActivityDate, Boolean failIfNotApproved) +42
   System.Web.Security.SqlMembershipProvider.ValidateUser(String username, String password) +78
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Login.AuthenticateUsingMembershipProvider(AuthenticateEventArgs e) +60
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Login.OnAuthenticate(AuthenticateEventArgs e) +119
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Login.AttemptLogin() +115
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Login.OnBubbleEvent(Object source, EventArgs e) +101
   System.Web.UI.Control.RaiseBubbleEvent(Object source, EventArgs args) +37
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.OnCommand(CommandEventArgs e) +118
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.RaisePostBackEvent(String eventArgument) +166
   System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.System.Web.UI.IPostBackEventHandler.RaisePostBackEvent(String eventArgument) +10
   System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(IPostBackEventHandler sourceControl, String eventArgument) +13
   System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(NameValueCollection postData) +36
   System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) +1565

It doesn't appear your specific error has anything to do with the subject of this thread (user instance flag in connection string), so my advice is to start a whole new thread to help increase the chances of getting an answer.

Can you please start new thread, as this is the different one from original post

 I have gotten this error also. I am using VS 2008 TFS, and am trying to install the Northwind db so that I can demo the following tutorial http://www.asp.net/learn/data-access/tutorial-49-vb.aspx.

I am running SQL Server 2005, and had already had the northwind db on it, but for somereason when I built the site's code, it didn't recognize it.... so whatever, I attached their version of the northwind db.

After reading others' posts on this problem (http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/sqlexpress/thread/0d94d542-6366-48df-9d6b-2771261944e3/ and (http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqldataaccess/thread/0738cb01-106f-4376-b92d-a977a022ece8), I have modified the connection string in my project to ="Data Source=(local)\;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\NORTHWND.MDF;Integrated Security=True".

I'm not sure I understand what follows this- should I detach and then reattach the db?

Please help.

Thanks~ Jg

 Are also getting same error

 Honestly cannot tell you idea what I did to get this working that I hadn't already tried before... but I wanted to post my connection string incase anyone has this problem in the future.

connectionString

="Data Source=(local)\;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\NORTHWND.MDF;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=False"

 

When you are using SQL Server (the one you pay for) instead of SQL Server Express (the free one), you must either (1) do as you have done and specify User Instance=False or (2) leave it out completely.

One way I know you are using "regular" SQL Server instead of SQL Server Express is that the Data Source value in your connection string is "(local)\" instead of ".\sqlexpress" or "(local)\sqlexpress".

 I already post this in my previous reply