Hi - I seem to be having an issue that is SQL Server related (I think).  Firstly, I'm new to DNN and had some initial issues installing it.  They seemed to be database issues.  It installs OK if I don't change the web.config file and let DNN use the Database.mdf file in the App_Data folder.  However, sometimes after a reboot when I open the site (http://localhost/DNN511) it defaults back to http://localhost/DNN511/Install/InstallWizard.aspx and the wizard gives the following message:

The Auto option has been disabled as the DotNetNuke Application cannot connect to a valid SQL Server database. You can continue to use either of the other two Wizard options and configure the Database settings at the appropriate Wizard step.

I'm using SQL 2005 Express.  The database file is not attached to SQL Server.  Once, when I did attach it to view the contents, I got the same error the next time I opened the site.  To get around this I can copy a new "clean" version of  Database.mdf into the App_Data folder - not quite a solution though.  After a new installation I can work away all day openning and closing the browser and site; log out and in etc.

I would really appreciate help with this issue before getting down to serious work.

Thanks

Please validate file system permissions for the app_data folder, granted to ASP.net account ("Network Service" by default).

I prefer to create a blank attached database manually (and appropriate db user) to use SQL Server connection string, which allows me to use SSMS to inter the ddatabase, when needed. This works with SQL Server Express as well!

• go to management studio
• create a blank database
• go to sql server security section :: accounts (or whatever it is called)
• create/select user you'd like to use for accessing the database
• grant dbowner permission to the new database for this account.
• adjust web.config to include database name, username and password (like in commented SQL server CS template )