sql server - Problem with creating .MDF file from Visual Studio 2010

Question

I am trying to create a small wpf application by using mdf.

The problem is that when I am trying to add new service-based database (.mdf) I am getting the error "Connection to SQL Server database files (.mdf) require SQL Server 2005 Express or SQL Server 2008 Express to be installed and running on the local computer. The current version of SQL Server Express can be downloaded at the following url (link)".

The SQL Server 2008 is already been installed.

What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

Check to make sure the SQLExpress service is running.

From a command prompt:

sc query mssql$sqlexpress

If the state returned is "1 STOPPED", then start the service with

sc start mssql$sqlexpress