I've seen the same errors I'm posting here in various location, but none of the solutions seem to work. Here's what I've got:

My workstation:

Windows XP, WebMatrix: 7.1.1073.1 and all the necesasry software for WebMatrix to run. I can login to the DotNetNuke server on my workstation and make modification, and all works well.

I create the DotNetNuke site with WebMatrix and then I publish it to the Windows Server 2008 R2, runnin MS SQL Server Express (64-bit) Version 10.50.1600.1. (DotNetNuke 6.01.03)

When I connect to DotNetNuk on the 2008 R2 server after publising, I'm directed to the Installation Wizard. The Auto feature is greyed out, so this is the first place that I think my connection to thAle db may be a problem. File Permissions pass all the checks. Under configure Database Connection, I use the following: SQL Server 2005/2008 Database Server: servername\SQLEXPRESS Database: DotNetNuke Integrated security and Run as db Owner are selected.

OutPut:

Connection Error(S):

Index #: 0

Source: .Net SqlClient Data Provider

Class: 14

Number: 18456

Message: Sql login failed

I've tried this with the DotNetNuke account and the Administrator account. My Server Authentication is set to Window Authentication Mode.

 

 

Yes, "Allow remote connections to this server" is checked!

SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) is now running under Administrator it was running under "Network Service".

I'm not sure I understand the last question.. What I did to check this: I selected DotNetNuke under Sites, and then I right clicke on the "Application Settings", and then "Basic Settuings". Under "Basic Settings" I clicked on "Test Settings" it passsed. The Authorization Path is set to c:\inetpub\wwwroot\DotNetNuke and Authentication is set to Administrator.

When I double clicked on Application Setting I noticed the data source looks like this:
Data Source=\.SQLExpress;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True;AttachDBFilename=|DataDirectory|Database.mdf;

Is the Database.mdf correct if I'm using SQLExpress?

Database.mdf is correct for SQL Express.

Database.mdf is the pre-set database we ship with DotNetNuke for use with SQL Express

You should be using the same account for permissions for AppPool and SQL Express as well as your web folder.

If you're AppPool is set for Network Service, your SQL Express permission should also use Network Service

Your web folder, where DotNetNuke files reside, should have IIS_IUSRS and Network Service accounts set for folder permissions

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Ken Grierson
DotNetNuke Corporation
Test Lead