SQL Server Express ConnectionString not working

Question

I am trying to connect to a local SQL Server Express database and I got it working inside a console application but now when I try to do it for a Windows service it doesn't work. I don't know what the problem is. The connection string that worked on the console application is below:

string connectionString = @"Data Source=BEN-PC\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=testDatabase;Integrated Security=True";

Any help is really appreciated, thanks!

What error or exception do you get? – Patrick Nov 20 '13 at 00:47 — Patrick, Nov 20 '13 at 00:47
Datasource should be Data Source (with whitespace) – evhen14 Nov 20 '13 at 00:50 — evhen14, Nov 20 '13 at 00:50

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 20 '13 at 00:51

3

Looks like you Windows Service is running under account that doesn't have permissions on the database engine.

another possible issue Datasource. It should be Data Source (with whitespace)

answered Nov 20 '13 at 00:51

evhen14

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That was a mistake in my part, I did have a space in it - it still won't work. – user345453 Nov 20 '13 at 01:22
@user345453 what's the exception you are getting? – evhen14 Nov 20 '13 at 01:24
The windows service explanation by Szymon makes sense so i will play around with that when I wake up tomorrow, thanks for your help! – user345453 Nov 20 '13 at 01:43

Szymon · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-20T01:29:27.307

2

You're using integrated security so the account that is running windows service is probably not configured on SQL Server. Windows service accounts typically have very little permissions.

You should either:

Change the account for the windows service that has access to SQL Server.
Or specify username and password in your connection string.

edited Nov 20 '13 at 01:29

answered Nov 20 '13 at 00:52

Szymon

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That was a mistake in my part, I did have a space in it - it still won't work. – user345453 Nov 20 '13 at 01:23
Check this explanation now. – Szymon Nov 20 '13 at 01:29
1

That makes sense, I will play around with it tomorrow, I can't imagine it would be anything else, thanks a bunch! – user345453 Nov 20 '13 at 01:43

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 20 '13 at 01:32

0

Most likely, the service account under which the service is running doesn't have appropriate permissions on the SQL Server Express database file or it doesn't have appropriate directory permissions.

answered Nov 20 '13 at 01:32

Nicholas Carey

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Thanks! I will play around with it tomorrow. – user345453 Nov 20 '13 at 01:44

SQL Server Express ConnectionString not working

3 Answers3