Database Not Accessible

Recently after restoring a database backup which I got from another server I repeatedly encountered an error when logged in using a user who is given permission. But when ‘sa’ account is used I could work with the database without any problem.

The error message was “The database DATABASE NAME is not accessible. (ObjectExplorer)” which was not helpful since it didn’t give any clue to figure out the issue.

Later I found that the issue is because the user in the restored database is not properly mapped to the user in the new server and the resolution for this is to run the stored procedure sp_change_users_login to correct the orphaned user.

• sp_change_users_login ‘update_one’, ‘USER’, ‘LOGIN’ – Links the given user in the current database to the specified login.
• sp_change_users_login ‘auto_fix’, ‘USER’ – Links the given user in the current database to the login having the same name in the current server.

After running this you will be able to access the restored database without any issue using the mentioned database user.

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Saving Table Changes in SQL Server 2008 R2

Have you noticed that with the default settings of SQL Server 2008 R2 you cannot use the design view to edit and save table changes which requires table to be recreated. But if you used earlier SQL Server installations you should remember that this functionality was possible. When you try to save such a table you will see an error similar to the following in SQL Server 2008 R2.

But the good news is that we can enable this functionality by going to SQL Server options.

Click Tools –> Options and expand Designers node and select ‘Table and Database Designers’.

Then uncheck the option ‘Prevent saving changes that require table re-creation’ and press OK.

Now if you try to save the table changes SQL will do the alteration without any complains.

Changing the Shared Feature Directory in SQL Server Setup

Today when I tried to install SQL Server 2008 R2 I couldn’t change the shared feature installation directory in the setup. Both the textbox and browse button were disabled restricting me to select the desired path.

After sometime I found the cause for this. It is because there were some SQL related programs already installed in my computer, because they are there the SQL setup uses the same directory to setup the rest of the programs.

If you need to relocate the install directory then simply you need to uninstall all the SQL related programs using Programs and Features and re-run the SQL Server setup. Then the browse buttons will be active enabling you to select an alternate location.

SQL Server Reporting Services Error – The report server cannot open a connection to the report server database. A connection to the database is required for all requests and processing. (rsReportServerDatabaseUnavailable)

Recently in one of my virtual servers I got the above error when trying to open the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

If this is happening to you I recommend checking the following things in your server.

1. Remote Connections in SQL Server.

Go to Start –> All Programs –> Microsoft SQL Server 200x –> Configuration Tools and open SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Now check whether the TCP/IP and Named Pipes are enabled in the 3 Protocol sections.

If they are disabled then enable them then check whether the remote connections are enabled using the SQL Server Management Studio by right clicking on the SQL Server (Parent node in the Object Explorer) and selecting properties.

Then go to the Connections and make sure that the Allow remote connections to this server checkbox is checked.

Then restart the SQL Server Service using the SQL Server Services section in the SQL Server Configuration Manager or by going to the machine services by Start –> Administrative Tools –> Services.

2. Check the SSRS Service Account.

Go to Start –> All Programs –> Microsoft SQL Server 200x –> Configuration Tools and open Reporting Services Configuration Manager. Then click on the Service Account section and verify its details. If you are not sure about the details it’s always good to re-enter them since there is nothing to loose.

3. Check the SSRS Database and Credentials.

Click the Database section and see whether all details are correct. This is very important since SSRS need to get connected to its SQL database to function properly. Pay good attention to validate the SQL Server Name, verify the database mentioned under Database Name exists in the specified SQL Server. If you are not sure of the existing settings just click on the Change Database button and it will open a wizard to step through.

If you already have reports in the SSRS then always try to Choose an existing report server database before Creating a new report server database since when you create a new database you will loose existing customizations you might have.

Then go to the bottom section to see the Credentials provided are correct. I am used to validate these by opening the management studio and trying to connect using the provided account. After validating the account using the management studio, to be in the safe side you can set those settings using the Change Credentials button.

4. Check your Firewall.

If the you have enabled a firewall such as Windows Firewall or a 3rd party firewall it might be blocking the functionalities required. Just try switching off the firewall, if that solves then try creating a rule for the firewall to authorize the required connections.

Hope this helps to correct the error, if not let me know some times I may be able to help.

Project has Stopped Working

If you create a .NET application to use SQL CE database when you try to run your application on a Windows Vista or Windows 7 machine you might get an error saying your application did stop working, and the error details might show that your are having a problem with System.Data.SQLServerCE.

The reason for this is that your system is not having the SQL Server CE runtime in your machine. To fix it what you need to do is to install the Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 1 on your system. You can download it from the following Microsoft link.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=DC614AEE-7E1C-4881-9C32-3A6CE53384D9&displaylang=en