http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/how_to/move_store" rel="nofollow - http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/how_to/move_store

If you've read this and still cannot get it, then please open a ticket.

Your connection string in general looks fine but there are more variables that need to be considered in how your server is configured, what ports are open or closed, etc.  But, that is not the real problem here.   Something that caught my eye in your post ... you are trying to use SQLExpress?????

I have posted on this topic several times before so I will summarize by saying that you should NEVER use SQL Express for a Public Facing database and certainly not for an online store.  This "recommendation" not only comes direct from Microsoft but has also been given as a "recommendation" from Early Impact in the product documentation as well as from very seasoned DBA's such as myself that have tons of experience working on and administering the ProductCart Database for hundreds of customers over the years.

 

Suffice it to say that SQL Express is meant as a development tool and/or as a personal 'free' database ONLY.  It uses the same engine as the full blown version but it is not, let me repeat ... it is NOT the same as the full version of the software.  Can ProductCart run on this platform, sure.  will it run well on this platform - absolutely not given that Express is resource limited and does not contain the management tools needed for a public facing website.  Just because you can do it, does not mean that you should do it.

 

Now with that said, running you own servers is expensive but part of that investment is making sure you have the right software for the applications you are running.  You should get with your server provider and ask them to provide you with MSSQL2008 Web Version at the very minimum.   This version is more than adequate to serve your database.  If they say they cannot provide you with this software then I would suggest you find another provider quick.  There are several of us on the forums that specialize in hosting ProductCart and offer a full range of hositng solutions (shared, VPS, dedicated, cloud, etc.)

 

On that note, and I see many people ignore this, but just in case you are setting up your servers this way .... you should not ever run your Website and your Database software on the same server (virtual or not).  Coming from the source again on this, Microsoft tells you this, Early Impact makes this "recommendation" in the documentation, and once more, DBA's such as myself are telling you this.  There are many technical reasons for this ranging from competing bandwidth and resource sharing but if you are ever looking towards PCI Compliance, the requirement states pretty clearly (although some may try to argue the point when there is nothing to argue) that your website, database and DNS servers need to be separate resources.   Not going to debate PCI here and I offer that tidbit only to show there are all kind of experts out there, myself included, that are telling people not to do these things.  It is for good reason. 

-----

 
Unfortunatly that is about as far as I can go on this topic primarily because in good concience, I cannot assist any users that are using or want to use SQL Express as their stores database.  This is nothing personal but rather that I have had to move quite a few databases where customers been using Express and end up having problems.  I just made it my own company policy not to work on SQL Express installations unless we are moving them out of that setup.
   

 

http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/how_to/show_raw_errors" rel="nofollow - http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/how_to/show_raw_errors

That might allow the raw error to be shown.

 

 

I think either way when it comes to connecting it is best to contact the host. 

 

I'd recommend you contact Mark @ Cognecy and see if he can dig you out of this mess.  How much time is it worth spending before it's justified to spend a couple bucks so you can move on?

 

And as for your trying to use Express because you didn't want to buy the full license, at any of the shops that commonly host PC stores, I'm not aware of anyone that charges for a database license.  That's all built into our VPS hosting fees.  I'd be curious about the bigger picture, or you could share that with Mark, as there may be options that would be in your best interest to consider. 

 

Problem is that without one of us having access to you on the phone, an FTP login, and some questions answered privately, I don't know what else we can do here.  The key to security is just that - and you are now asking us to speculate publicly why you cannot get logged in.  The questions we need to ask, and the steps needed to resolve this, need to be performed outside of the forum. 

 

You just need to decide who is going to help you through this, and since I'm a bit tied up at the moment, I'm suggesting that be Mark or EI support.   Or look to the CPD list and find another certified developer.  But at the momnet you really do need private assistance to get you through this one...

Like Greg, I fully appreciate you wanting to learn and to things on your own as I have spent most of my career doing much of the same however, I always kept people and experts at arms length so I could grab them when I got stuck (I still do this as I certainly have not learned all I can).

 

You really need an experienced DBA that has experience with ProductCart specifically to move things around and migrate between platforms.  I am not a fan of backup and restore myself but do need to state very clearly, that giving blanket advice to the community that it will not work is an incorrect statement.  It absolutely will work if done correctly  - but there are considerations that need to taken into account that a DBA will be able to handle. 

 

To re-cap on what Greg mentioned, we are at a point on this thread there is not much more we can do do assist primarily because it is a public forum and the questions that need asked and the access that is needed is not for public discussion.  Greg is absolutely correct in that at this point you really do need to either contact me directly (I sent you a private message with my contact info already) or submit a support ticket with Early impact and have them assist with set up. 

 

Also if you are using mssql express make sure mixed authenication and tcpip are enabled. By default both are disabled.

 

I would also suggest you contact your host about adding a license for sql2k8r2 web edition. It should be around $20/month.