I'm not a programmer. i'm actually a system analyst trying to get the most i can to prototype my systems into asp.net

I have a database made with sql server 2005 express that comes along with visual studio 2005. when i attempt to create a new crystal report, i tried to connect using the wizard. apparently i cannot find how to connect to my database so i can retrieve my data.

after roaming around for some time on the net, i found out that i should be creating an OLE DB (ADO) connection. i supplied the following information

Server : EDMUND-PC\SQLEXPRESS
Integrated security : true

how ever, i cannot see my database in the list of databases. only 3 called Master, Msdb, and tempdb. none of them contain my database tables.

also when i leave the database field blank, it returns the Master database which is irrelevant.

Any ideas?

So Brian, your saying my local windows user doesnt have enough permissions to access the database?

it makes sence some how. i'm using a laptop with windows vista ultimate on. and every single time i start VS 2005 it gives me a warning that i must be an admin so i can start/access some of VS 2005 features. my local windows user happens to be an admin too

i will look further into it and report any changes. thanks a million

btw i happen to be every thing in this project. analyst designer db admin etc...


Edited by Edmund-B - 05 Aug 2008 at 2:01am

unfortunately, i'm not an admin. But I would look into group permissions for the user id. Find out if the user has access to that port (I'm running into that problem right now at a client - it's a new db that I'm supposed to report from and my ID doesn't have proper permissions to get the data). There are a zillion admin related things that affect who can access what. Makes my head spin (and that's why I stick with writing code...)

Found the solution

 turns out that SQL server 2005 EE does not attach your database to your database engine. it appears to be attached in VS 2005 because apparently VS makes a virtual attachment.

 so what i did: i downloaded Management studio for SQL 2005 Express and attached the database file to it. now i can see it in the database expert as long as i create a new command

 

i hope this helps someone :)

I hope this thread is still open.