Error using Connection object from VB.Net on SQL Server 2005

[CruiseMan]

Being new to the administrative side of SQL Server 2005, I do not know quite how to correct the following error using a SqlConnection object from VB.Net when trying to connect to a database (like Northwind.mdf) in SQL Server 2005 (Developer's Edition installed on my local PC). The error I get is:

Unhandled Exception: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: SQL Server does not exist or access denied.

SQL Server 2005 seems to have installed properly and I am using Windows integrated security in the parameters of the connection object. Being that this is on my own PC, I should have administrator access.

The connection string is defined as:
workstation id="JFS-DEV";packet size=4096;integrated security=SSPI;data source="(Local)";attachdbfilename="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$NETSDK\Data\northwnd.mdf";persist security info=False;initial catalog=Northwind

Any help in correcting this error is greatly appreciated.

 

[Qamgine]

I personally prefer to use the ConnectionStringBuilder as it helps me to remember all the items I "need" to include, it cuts down on typos, and helps me to debug when there is an issue.

Here is a connection scheme I use daily. Perhaps you can use it to get your connection working.

Dim dbCSB As New SqlConnectionStringBuilder
dbCSB.PacketSize = 4096
dbCSB.IntegratedSecurity = True
dbCSB.DataSource = "<server name/ip>\sqlexpress"
dbCSB.PersistSecurityInfo = False
dbCSB.InitialCatalog = "<db name (just name, not path)>"

<server name/ip> could be 127.0.0.1 (localhost) and <db name> would just be northwind.