Visual Studio 2008 does not support SQL Server 2008 - SP1 Needed

I just purchased Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Web Edition and after setting up the database server, I tried to add a connection to my Visual studio 2008 project to obtain a remote connection and was given this error message:

"This server version is not supported. Only servers up to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 are supported."

After a little research, I found this link:

Connecting to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 from Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and 2008

Microsoft explains "Since Visual Studio 2008 and 2005 were released before SQL Server 2008, their respective tools and data designers do not automatically support SQL Server 2008 and its new data types and features."

Microsoft continues to explain the delemma, but the bottom line is that you need the Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1.

Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1

The above document explains that SP1 offers SQL Server 2008 support. Also available is the SP1 download for the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 service pack.

Downloads are here.

 

13 Comments

  • Hmm, as part of the asp.net group, why in the world would you "just now" be installing vs2008? I also doubt you purchased it too.

  • It's a old thing.
    You should have VS2008 SP1 [which also carry .net framework 3.5 sp1]installed for connecting with Sql server 2008.

  • Robert,
    Why would you accuse me of not paying for it? Are you attributing your dishonesty to others?
    Why am I just now installing Visual Studio 2008? Because it costs $669.99 and I haven't needed it up until now. I've been on a contract job with a company that provided the tool for me there, and prior, I used Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition.
    I saw no need to purchase it until I was actually going to use it.
    Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon.com, LLC):
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    Shipped via UPS
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                               Paid by Visa:    $739.90

  • Its rather hilarous. Spending basically a few days to upgrade our dev park, getting VS2008 up to speed, everything works like a charm, except... this. I do understand the dilemma though, but they should have a bit more intercommunication between the sql and vs team (after all, vs2008 is included with mssql!)

  • If vice versa. Will there be Sp1 to support Sql2005?

  • Be careful when installing this! I had this same problem, and installed Visual Studio SP1 to fix it, but after installing SP1 I could not connect to any DB's in SQL Server... after Google'ing it I found that many others have had this problem.

    As of yet, I'm still looking for a fix. Just wanted to let everyone know!

  • Hi to All,

    1- I developed a Web Site using MS VS 2008 Standard Edition, embedded in it SQL 2005 Express. I Downloaded VS SP1 as well. I faced difficulties in publishing the ASPNETDB.MDF Schema and data to the remote server of the internet hoster. So, I un-installed SQL 2005 and installed SQL 2008.
    2- VS Standard Edition 2008 didn’t see the ASPNETDB.mdf generated under SQL 2005 and I started getting many error messages.
    3- I, therefore, un-installed VS 2008 and SQL 2005 and installed the new Web Platform 1. The Visual Web Developer still doesn’t create ASPNETDB.mdf the database. I get the following messages.
    A- In the security section of ASP.NET Configuration of any new web site, I get the following message. There is a problem with your selected data store. This can be caused by an invalid server name or credentials, or by insufficient permission. It can also be caused by the role manager feature not being enabled. Click the button below to be redirected to a page where you can choose a new data store. Unable to connect to SQL Server database.
    B- I allowed Ports TCP 2077 and Port UDP 2078 through windows Fire Wall.
    C- In SQL Server Configuration Manager, I enabled the protocols: Shared Memory, Named Pipes and TCP/IP.
    D- In SQL Server Configuration Manager: SQL Server(SQLEXPRESS) Running. SQL Server Agent(SQLEXPRESS) Stopped. SQL Server Browser. Stopped. I couldn’t start them because all menu items are dimmed.
    In summary, neither VS Standard Edition nor V Web Developer 2008 express, generate the default database, ASPNETDB.mdf.
    I would sincerely appreciate any help.
    Joseph.

  • Even with SP1 installed, when I try to create a database in VS 2008 with SQL Server 2008 I get an error telling me to install a MS SQL Server 2005 express component. I have installed all the updates required by VS2008 and SQL Server 2008. What gives?

  • I've had VS2008 since early this year. I've been trying to install SP1 on top of it, and the installation seems to work fine. I'm using administrator privileges when I do this.

    But afterward when I check Help->About in the product, SP1 is not reflected in the version details. This is a very vexing problem for me because it's causing me installation issues for other products.

  • Thank you Very much. This information was a great help for me

  • I noticed that link no longer works. Here's another one:
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=FBEE1648-7106-44A7-9649-6D9F6D58056E&displaylang=en

    Guess they're trying to get you to go with VS2010. ;)

  • I have VS 2008 and sql server 2008 on my windows 7 but now when i successfully installed VS 2008 SP1 but In Help->About in the product, SP1 is not reflected in the version details. and nothing is changed from previous one please let me know why..?

  • Anybody got a working fix for this issue .
    I installed SP1 and could not connect to anything anymore , had to recover my prior install.
    A fix would be great , will this be fixed by buying visual studio 2010 ?
    Cheers

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