How do I fix a “Unable to add data connection. The IVsDataConnectionDialog could not be initialized” error?

Question

I'm getting an error in Visual Studio 2008 anytime I try to create a data connection in the Server Explorer: "Unable to add data connection. The IVsDataConnectionDialog could not be initialized"

Also, the existing data connections are disabled and their icon is a red-slash-circle.

So far, the only advice I've found is here: msdn_microsoft_Forums_vbide_thread Choices there include:

• Reinstall VS2008
• Reinistall .net 3.5 sp1
• rename registry for vs2008 user settings

..but I've tried each recommendation to no avail.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Answer 1

Sweet GLORY!!! This is fixed now.

BIG thanks to Glenn Berry on this post: msdn_microsoft_Vsexpressinstall So I went into these folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\{my login}\Application Data\Microsoft
C:\Documents and Settings\{my login}\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft

... and changed the VisualStudio folder name to VisualStudioXXX

When I restarted the VS2008 I was able to add new data connections in the Server Explorer.

Answer 2

This fixed the same problem for me.

Try to modify the registry:

1. Open the registry
2. Rename [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0] to [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0back]
3. Restart Visual Studio

Credits: msdn_microsoft_vbide_thread

Answer 3

I was getting a different error like:

Unable to add data connection. Could not find a part of the path
'c:\Programmer\Microsoft Visual Studio
9.0\DBPro\Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamSystem.Data.SqlViewExtensions.xml'.
at DataViewSupport(4,3)

Deleting the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\VisualStudio\9.0\DataProviders\{91510608-8809-4020-8897-FBA057E22D54}\TSDataViewExtensions

and restarting VS.NET, as suggested at msdn_microsoft_forums_vstsdb_thread, did the trick for me.