VB apps not working under XP consistently

[danno74]

I'm not sure what I can offer on the VB side of this, I know NOTHING of VB, not a programmer.

We have some home made apps using Visual Studio 2000 for various file manipulation and FTP jobs in our network. These pretty much worked error free on our W2K desktops when they were first developed. Once we integrated some XP Pro boxes to the people that used it, everything just went haywire - mainly SQL communication errors:

Message: SQL Server does not exist or access denied.
Line Number:0
Source: .Net SqlClient Data provider
Procedure: ConnectionOpen (Connect()).

FTP problems do not have errors, they just stop mid transmission. There is no network problem and no FTP server problem as I have investigated those courses thoroughly (something I do know about!).

I can't into too many specifics on the program as I don't completely understand them myself and the guy who created them is not available. ANY suggestions are much appreciated, this is driving me insane!

 

[ThatRickGuy]

Is the window's firewall turned on?

-Rick

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I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[danno74]

Yes and no - One does and one doesn't because his install is two days old. Thanks for the reminder, that should help with FTP problems.

 

[cjelec]

What version of SQL Server have you got installed, I have had a problem with the full version on an xp machine before. Desktop version should work.

The FTP server problem, i was thinking firewall also, but if that still doesn't work try using the ip address of the server as a test. If it works then, check your network settings to make sure that it is set to the right dns server.

 

[danno74]

The server has SQL 2000, client tools are installed on the PCs.

 

[artyk]

XP's permissions can be screwy also. We've found that to basically do anything a user needs to be an administrator (which totally defeats the purpose of permissions).

 

[arznrchrd]

Do you have the source code of the program? Seems like a credentials problem and/or a Connection String missing some stuff; which is needed in XP land. Is the SQL connection a "Trusted Connection"? In the code, you need to see what credentials are being passed; if any. Also, if you have the code, upgrade to VS2005 as it has some enhancements to the SQL stuff. Post the code that has the SQL stuff if you have. ~~~CIAO~~~

 

[ThatRickGuy]

We've found that to basically do anything a user needs to be an administrator (which totally defeats the purpose of permissions).

What kind of processes are you coding for? I have never had to alter a user's permissions to run a .Net application. I've had to add the app to their trusted applications list, but that doesn't alter their permissions or roles.

-Rick

VB.Net Forum forum796 forum855 ASP.NET Forum
I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[artyk]

What kind of processes are you coding for? I have never had to alter a user's permissions to run a .Net application. I've had to add the app to their trusted applications list, but that doesn't alter their permissions or roles.

I wasn't speaking of coding specifically, just running programs in XP in general. It may not be an application issue as much as an XP issue. We have found that several apps that we run simply will not work without administrator permissions.

 

[ThatRickGuy]

I would say just the opposite. If an application can't run with out Admin privileges, it is an application issue. Some apps may have specific functions that need elevated permissions, but those should be identified and specifically excepted. To require full admin access though for any application (especially a .Net app) would make me question what exactly that app was trying to do.

-Rick

VB.Net Forum forum796 forum855 ASP.NET Forum
I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[artyk]

I'm just speaking from our experience. The core components of several apps that we run require administrator permissions. I would still argue that it is the way XP's permissions are defined because there have been several patches\updates, etc., that were from Microsoft that wouldn't even run with "power user" permissions. I can't speak about excepting functions as that would not be practical for us. I was just hoping to help danno74 based on what we have come across.

 

[danno74]

Thanks everyone, finally getting back to this. I can try to get the code for you, but you programmers have a habit of not wanting to give up the goods, especially if there is a chance the network guy fixes it and not you

You speak of trusted applications, is that something I perhaps have to add the SQL server to?

 

[ttdobj]

danno74 - have you checked out this micrsoft knowledgebase page?
MS kb328306
it lists some possible reasons for encountering that error message

In the past I have encountered PC's that act differently to their siblings, and it turned out to be an MDAC issue. I'm not saying this situation is though.

J