Registration key doesn't work, etc.

[ragtopcaddy]

I pasted the registration key provided by MS for my VB05 Express. I got a msg saying it was not valid. Of course, there's no way to contact MS and get it corrected. Any suggestions?

Also, I have VS05 Express installed, but there's no sign of VB05 Express in it. Just SQL Server 05 Express. Any idea why?

Thanks,

Bill

[nmadd]

1) Attempt to register again?

2) I'm not sure I understand this question. You installed VBExpress but now can't find it? It is probably here: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\vbexpress.exe

[ragtopcaddy]

When I click on "register now" in the setup dialog, it brings me to the same place and shows me the same key.

Isn't VB05 Express integrated with VS05 Express, similar to SQL Server 05 Express? Shouldn't I be able to start a VB05 project from within VS05?

[nmadd]

1) That seems quite odd that they gave you an incorrect code. Email Microsoft, I guess.

2) The Express editions are only for a single language. There is no entire "Visual Studio Express." If you want to use VB, download the VBExpress edition. If you want C#, download the C# edition, Visual Web Developer Express for ASP.NET, etc. etc.

[ragtopcaddy]

You're a Mets fan in Denver?! Those bastards just beat the livin' crap out of us!

The problem is, how the hell do you email MS? They are the most noncommunicative company on the planet!

If you can't develop projects (VB, C#, etc.) in Visual Studio projects, what do you do in VS?

[techgnome]

There is no VSExpress... there's VBExpres.. C#Express, SQL Express, Web Dev Express.... but as fatr as I know, there's no VSExpress.

-tg

[nmadd]

I am.
Moved here from NJ about 10 years ago. Was at the game last night. What a nightmare!

I would
1) Read this FAQ if you haven't already:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/register/faq/
2) See if you can find anything on this forum:
http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/sho...id=24&siteid=1
3) Contact MS:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/contactusMSDN?sd=msdn

I'm still a little confused about this next question. You downloaded VBExpress, therefore you can create Visual Basic .NET applications. If you want to use C#, download the C# Express Edition. It is a completely separate product and download.

[ragtopcaddy]

I'm confused about what use there is for VS05 Express, if all it does is offer a view of SQL Server 05 Express. I installed VB05 Express and assumed I could open a VB project in VS. My recollection is that was the case with previous versions of VS.

If VB (or other) projects can't be initiated in VS, what is VS used for?

[nmadd]

There is no such thing as Visual Studio 2005 Express.

There are:
Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition
Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
Visual Web Developer Express Edition
Visual J# 2005 Express Edition
SQL Server Express Edition

These are each individual free downloads from here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/downloads/

Then there are the FULL pay versions of Visual Studio 2005 that include all languages. This explains the differences between all of the versions: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700921.aspx

[ragtopcaddy]

It is VS05, not Express.

In "About Microsoft Visual Studio" it shows only 2 installed products: SQL Server reporting services, and MS VB05 Express edition - ENU Service Pack 1 (KB#####). There is no mention of SQL Server 05 Express or VB05 Express. I don't see how one could do a project in Visual Studio 05, absent a programming language. What is the problem here?

[ragtopcaddy]

There is no such thing as Visual Studio 2005 Express.

You are correct. But I'm looking at training materials that suggest that the Express versions of SQL Server 05, and VB05, can be used in projects in VS05. Is that not the case?

[nmadd]

So you have a full version of Visual Studio?

I think I'm thoroughly confused now. Why are you trying to install VB Express when you have the full version of Visual Studio? The full versions include all of the programming languages.

[ragtopcaddy]

Presumably, if I had the full version of VS, I would already have full versions of VB, C#, SQL Server, etc. readily available under new projects. If that were the case, I'd be developing a VB project now, instead of looking for help.

No, I don't have any of those programs available in VS for new projects, which brings me back to my question, how do I get VS to "see" my VB05 Express program, as well as SQL Server 05 Express? Or is this just impossible? Either way, I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction.

After all I've been through in the last several hours, I don't recollect installing VS05. It may have been included in the SQL Server 05 Express installation a couple of days ago, although why that should be the case if it's utterly useless for development, is beyond my understanding. But, stranger things have happened.

[nmadd]

I don't use SQL Server Express, so I don't know what exactly the install entails. Perhaps the SQL Server Management Studio Express installs some skeleton of Visual Studio for some reason? I have no idea. I'm going to download everything I can when I get home and see though.

I do know this: if you don't recall shelling out a lot of cash for a full version of Visual Studio, then you don't have it. Just open the Visual Basic 2005 Express edition that you dowloaded and that is where you create your projects. From within the VBExpress edition you can also connect to your SQL Server Express databases and work with them.

[ragtopcaddy]

Yes. That makes sense, but now I have to wait and hear from MS about why my key for VB05 doesn't work and how I'm going to fix it. I uninstalled VB05 and reinstalled it, but it still gave me the same key, which still doesn't work. I hope they get back to me soon. I found a thread with dozens of people having the same problem, with no answer.

[nmadd]

Interesting that many people are having trouble with their registration. Best of luck getting everything squared away.

[ragtopcaddy]

Thanks. If I get an answer I'll post it here.

Let's Go Mets!!