tdsserver35.exe Error when connecting to SQLCE 3.5 DB’s(on a device) from the Desktop

October 31, 2008

i recently came across this problem when trying to access a sqlce 3.5 db on a device from the desktop… after some googling i found the fix.

problem: when you try to connect to a sqlce 3.5 db on a device, form the desktop using sql management console 2008 or VS 2008sp1(yes 2008 without the sp won’t give this error ,btw you can’t connect to a sqlce 3.5 db with sql management console 2005 or vs 2005) you might get a error like this in the device…

An unexpected error has occoured in TDSSERVER35.EXE

Select Quit and then restart this program, or select Details for more information.

System.Net.Sockets.Socket.

DETAILS:

TDSSERVER35.EXE

ObjectDisposedException

and something like this in the sql management console on the desktop…

Cannot connect to Mobile Device\Program Files\zooApp\zooApp.SDF.

——————————
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Microsoft SQL Server Compact and/or .NET Compact Framework v2.0 or later is not properly installed on your mobile device or the device is not responding. (SQL Server Compact ADO.NET Data Provider)

this is happening because you don’t have the sqlce 3.5 sp1 installed on your device(vs2008 sp1 will install the desktop version of sqlce sp1, but not the device version…). get it from here. after installing it,

go to the folder …:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition\v3.5\Devices\wce500\armv4i in your desktop and get the two cab files listed bellow installed in your device.

  1. sqlce.wce5.armv4i.CAB
  2. sqlce.dev.ENU.wce5.armv4i.CAB
  3. sqlce.repl.wce5.armv4i.CAB

note: these might change depending on your device and your ‘needs’ (ie: if you don’t need replication you won’t need the 3rd file)…

now everything should be fine.

ref: http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3745016&SiteID=1

download links for sqlce 3.5 sp1: http://blogs.msdn.com/stevelasker/archive/2008/08/07/sql-server-compact-3-5-sp1-released.aspx