I’m having a problem creating and connecting to an SQL Express database. I’m using Visual Web Developer 2005 Express to work through a tutorial (found here: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345152.aspx). I have created a website called “StudentActivities” but when I try to create a database from within VWD called “StudentActivities.mdf” I get an error:

“The file ‘U:\My Documents\Visual Studio 2005\Websites\StudentActivities\App_data\StudentActivities.mdf’ is on a network path that is not supported for database files.”

The problem seems to be that SQL Express tries to create the database in my “My Documents” folder, which resides on a mapped network drive. Why would that be a problem? And how can I make it create my databases on my local machine?

Another curious thing is that although I have VWD set to keep projects on my local drive it saves the website files to my network drive and there doesn’t seem to be any way to change that.

 (Why are locations a problem? )

SQL Server will expects all databases to be created in the location below if it is not going to be there you must let it know the other location which must be a clean network drive with nothing but both MDF and LDF and you should have a very good reason for it.  VS2005 is an IDE(integrated development environment), SQL Server is a database server it is your responsibility to create your database where SQL Server can read it and your IDE folder should not be that location.

I hope one day taking the time to read the  SQL Server BOL(books online) will be on things to do list.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\BACKUP\DATA

Thing is, it's going to the network drive without any help from me. How do I change that?

Another thing: I used SQL Express Management Tool to create the database (presumably it IS on the local machine) but it doesn't show up in VWD.

Caddre:

 (Why are locations a problem? )

SQL Server will expects all databases to be created in the location below if it is not going to be there you must let it know the other location which must be a clean network drive with nothing but both MDF and LDF and you should have a very good reason for it.  VS2005 is an IDE(integrated development environment), SQL Server is a database server it is your responsibility to create your database where SQL Server can read it and your IDE folder should not be that location.

I hope one day taking the time to read the  SQL Server BOL(books online) will be on things to do list.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\BACKUP\DATA

This seems to be my location for SQL Express 2005:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data

Question is: why does Visual Web Developer attempt to create thte database on my network drive? And how can I change it? 

VWD creates what is called a user instance database which SQL Server does not know exist unless you backup and restore the database.  I have found you two resources that will help.

The first is a three part tutorial to use both and the second is to download the Advanced it comes with some better futures to help you manage your databases.  Hope this helps.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsse/html/VWD_SSE.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/compare/default.aspx

VWD will create a database in your app_data folder. Which, obviously, by default will be in "My Document", since, again by default, your projects will be in my document -> visual studio 2005 -> web sites (or something along that line). If its on a network drive, obviously its an issue. Just create the project elsewhere :)

And its a problem because of a bunch of security and internal decisions... The database just needs to be on the same physical machine as the server, which in your case is your own computer. Just make a folder on your C drive or something and make your projects there :)

shados:

VWD will create a database in your app_data folder. Which, obviously, by default will be in "My Document", since, again by default, your projects will be in my document -> visual studio 2005 -> web sites (or something along that line). If its on a network drive, obviously its an issue. Just create the project elsewhere :)

And its a problem because of a bunch of security and internal decisions... The database just needs to be on the same physical machine as the server, which in your case is your own computer. Just make a folder on your C drive or something and make your projects there :)

Well, DUH! So simple I couldn't see it! Thanks! Another question occurs, though: if the project is already created on the network drive and you move the folders to the local disk, won't you get an error when trying to load the project? It seems to me that if you created a new project with the same name as an existing project (if Express will let you) then copied the folders/files from the existing project to the new project's folder on your local disk, you'd be in business. Think I'll go try it out.

Caddre:

VWD creates what is called a user instance database which SQL Server does not know exist unless you backup and restore the database.  I have found you two resources that will help.

The first is a three part tutorial to use both and the second is to download the Advanced it comes with some better futures to help you manage your databases.  Hope this helps.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsse/html/VWD_SSE.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/compare/default.aspx

The first link is the very same tutorial I mentioned in my original post. I'm not familiar with the second link, though, and I thank you for that.