After opening .mdf DNN database in SQL Server Management Studio, I could not open my site anymore. After trying to reconnect to the database for several days I gave up and created a new site. This time I created the database in SSMS.

But I still have a lot of content in the old .mdf file which I still can open in SSMS. Is there any way to salvage the data in .mdf ? What steps should I take?

Thank you.

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Boris

William

I followed the advice you referred me to. Here is my connection string now:
<add name="SiteSqlServer" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;Database=DotNetNuke;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=False" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

IIS settings should work as my other installation works with exactly the same settings

Here is what happens when I go to the website. First, the wizard starts. I choose installation method Custom. When I come to the database connection page, following settings are selected by default:
SQL Server 2005/2008 Database
Server: .\SQLEXPRESS
Database: DotNetNuke
Integrated Security: yes
Run as db owner: yes

When I click Next, I get htis:
Connection Error(s):
Index #: 0
Source: .Net SqlClient Data Provider
Class: 11
Number: 4060
Message: Invalid Database
Index #: 1
Source: .Net SqlClient Data Provider
Class: 14
Number: 18456
Message: Sql login failed

The database is open in SQL Server, it is not invalid!

In IIS, anonymous authentication is set to Application Pool Identity. Application pool identity is NetworkService.
In SQL Server, NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE is db owner for DotNetNuke.mdf. My Windows account is db owner. And just in case, IIS AppPool\DotNetNukePool (pool name) is also db owner.
How come login failed?!

One problem, in SQL Server database name is not displayed as DotNetNuke. It is C:\DOTNETNUKE\APP_DATA\DOTNETNUKE.MDF
Maybe this is the reason? If I try to supply this name in the wizard, the database installation scripts are running and they end up with failure:
undefined...FAILURE null - null

Next time I try to run go to the website I get Resource not found error. Web.config is changed. Now connection string is:
<add name="SiteSqlServer" connectionString="Data Source=MELNIK1\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=C:\DOTNETNUKE\APP_DATA\DOTNETNUKE.MDF;Integrated Security=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

I change connection strings back and I get back to where I started. What do you think I am doing wrong. Very frustrating...

Thank you.

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Boris

If you used the mdf file based SQL connection you could only have one connectian at all.  If this file still is mount into your SSMS you cant connect to them with DNN or any other application.

Make sure you have no empty login for your database user -  see at database - security - users on SSMS.

Also you must have the same user allready added on the SQL server where you want add the file.  Make sure you have give permission to execute for scripts and executable files on the IIS and you have full access for the application pool user for all DNN files and folders, read access for the IIS annonymous user for all DNN files and folders.

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Regards

Matthias

DNN MVP

www.aarsys.de

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