Act! 2011 and SQL Server connection problems

[alexb650]

I'm trying to install Act! 2011 pro and I am unable to create a new database.  It throws an error stating, "Unable to create the database.  There is an error connecting to the Microsoft SQL server."  I can't even open the demo; it will also give an error.  I originally had tried to install a copy of Act! 2009 v11 but that gave me the same error, so I got frustrated and purchased Act! 2011, thinking that there was a conflict with Windows 7.

I have read that the sql server (act7) needs to be started.  I try starting it but it immediately comes back saying that it started and then stopped.

I'm installing this with Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit if it makes a difference. 

Please help--I have spent two weeks of searching, installing and uninstalling with no avail. 

[GLComputing]

Can you have a look for the error in the windows Event Log when SQL stops

[alexb650]

I looked through the logs and no new erros show up when the sql server starts/stops. The message I'm getting when trying to start the sql server (act7) is a window that pops up saying, "The SQL Server (ACT7) service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other services or programs."

[GLComputing]

When you say logs, you did look in the application and System logs via:
Start | Eventvwr

[alexb650]

Ahhh.  Ok, here's what it states:  The SQL Server (ACT7) service entered the stopped state. 

not sure if this helps, but here's what it reads under the details tab:

- <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">

- <System>

  <Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908d1-a6d7-4695-8e1e-26931d2012f4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />

  <EventID Qualifiers="16384">7036</EventID>

  <Version>0</Version>

  <Level>4</Level>

  <Task>0</Task>

  <Opcode>0</Opcode>

  <Keywords>0x8080000000000000</Keywords>

  <TimeCreated SystemTime="2011-02-16T06:11:02.819200000Z" />

  <EventRecordID>113330</EventRecordID>

  <Correlation />

  <Execution ProcessID="568" ThreadID="5948" />

  <Channel>System</Channel>

  <Computer>007-PC</Computer>

  <Security />

  </System>

- <EventData>

  <Data Name="param1">SQL Server (ACT7)</Data>

  <Data Name="param2">stopped</Data>

  <Binary>4D005300530051004C00240041004300540037002F0031000000</Binary>

  </EventData>

  </Event>

[GLComputing]

Try this:

Add localservice and networkservice to the administrator group.

Click the start button, search for cmd. Right click, run as Admin.

Type in the following commands:

net localgroup administrators localservice /add
net localgroup administrators networkservice /add
exit

Then reboot.

[alexb650]

Added both and restarted but the same problems still exist.

Note sure if this is a coincidence but after restart, windows wants to update .NET framework 4.

thanks helping me by the way.

[GLComputing]

There are some issues with the .Net 4.0 Framework and SQL.

I'd uninstall the .Net 4 Framework and see if it works then

[alexb650]

I was crossing my fingers but that didn't work either.

[GLComputing]

You might need to do the install without .Net 4.0 installed.

I've just written this blog article that might help:
http://blog.glcomputing.com.au/2011/02/solutions-to-some-of-sql-issues-when.html