Setting up SQL Server

For details on obtaining SQL Server, see the Microsoft SQL Server web site (address at the front of this document). Normally it is downloaded - SQL Server Express (and MSDE before it) are available free of charge.

Install SQL Server by following the instructions provided by Microsoft. The software comes with tools to start and stop the SQL Server service. You can also start and stop the service through the SQL Direct Configuration Tools menu.

You can if you wish also configure SQL Server as an OBDC datasource. To do this, first start SQL Server, then select Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Data Sources (ODBC), select File DSN (you can also use a System DSN), click Add and select SQL Server from the list of drivers.

Click Finish, then name and create a new datasource which connects to the local server. Use the default configurations, i.e. keep clicking Next until the sequence is complete.