While attending conference SQLAuthority Author Visit – Microsoft Student Partner Conference, some developers informed me that SQL SERVER 2008 cannot be connected to Visual Studio 2008 and error displays as MS does not support SQL Server version. I was surprised initially as I could not believe that two MS products are not compatible. When trying myself I got the same error.
SQL Server 2008 when connected to Visual Studio 2008 gives the error that “This server version is not supported. Only servers up to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 are supported“.
This error can be easily resolved by just installing Service pack. Download Visual Studio Service Pack 1 and install. Once service pack installed it will connect just fine.
Reference : Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
72 Comments. Leave new
This worked for me.
Open VS | Tools | Connect to Database | Microsoft SQL Server
Change the Data Provider from .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server to .NET Framework Data Provider for OLE DB
Leave the “Always use this selection” checked and click Continue.
This allows me to connect from VS2008 to SQL 2012 box.
Thank you Cmerg
Thanks a lot, it worked for VS 2008 developer Edition.
Thanks alot…worked for me too..!!!
thank you verrymust
you are simply genius man! it worked
Thank You… It works…
Thanks a million, I had installed both the service pack 1 and the service pack 1 update and nothing was happening. Changing to .NET Framework Data Provider for OLE DB worked for me.
It worked every time after reading your solutions. Thank you so much for sharing all the tips and solutions!
Hello sir ,
some problem on my laptop.
my laptop operating system is windows 8.1
sir, i install visual studio 2010.it’s properly installed but sql server error are accur.
sir, how to solved sql server connection error.
please help me
Hello sir,
I receive this error when I use VS2008’s server explorer to connect to SQL Server 2014. I installed the SP1 but it doesn’t fix the issue. Do you happen to know any solution for SQL Server 2014?
Thank you.
I am using Visual Studio 2008 with SQL Server 2014. Installing the Visual Studio Service Pack 1 did not fix the problem for me.
Hello! I am using Visual Studio 2008 with SQL Server 2014. Installing the Visual Studio Service Pack 1 did not fix the problem for me.
Thanks for your help!
It worked for me..Installed the Visual Studio Service Pack 1 to my Visual Studio 2008, restarted and chose Data Source as “Microsoft SQL Server (OLE DB)”
using “Microsoft SQL Server (OLE DB)” if it works, thanks
it is indeed useful ..thank you so much….
Thanks Cameron.. its works for me.. master..
Yes VS 2008 is working fine after Download Visual Studio Service Pack 1 and restart the system .
Tried installing service pack
But still the same error message
I am working with visual studio and sql 2012
What’s the version of VS?
visual studio 2008
Arun – did you try updating native client.
I havent updated native client
tried updating native client also
Even now the same error. its not allowing me to create dataset or new connection in visual studio the error is “The server version is not supported. Only MS Sql server upto 2005 are supported”
What’s the operating system?
I am getting the same error as well and just recently it appeared. Just re-ran the SP 1 patch (on vs2008) and still seeing the error. Before was able to configure a dataset on VS 2008 via a proc 2008 R2 with no issues. Machine O/S is Windows 7 Pro SP 1. I wonder if a windows update/SQL Update/and or VS update is causing this to occur again and is a polite way for MS to tell users to upgrade to a newer version of VS.
VS Studio Ver: VS 9.0.30729.4462
SQL 2008 Ver: 10.50.6220.0
When I try to configure using OLE DB – I click on the proc and the column list in the right window are blank
When I change to .NET Framework provider for SQL Server – the column list does appear but when I click on Finish I get the 2005 error again.
There must be something else other than what I discovered and wrote.
Hi, found out we have the very same error here since not so long on our 2008R2SP1 server.
VS studio Ver: 9.0.30729.1 SP
SQL 2012 Ver: 11.0.3368.0
Even more: server is not connected to internet so no updates that could cause the issue. What else?
Thanks!
I did that , but it didn’t work.. still show the error
VS 2008
Sql 2012
OS windows 7 ultimate