How to solve a login/database missing error regarding Sitecore Training Website?

Question

I get the following error while accessing the Sitecore Training Website.

Server Error in '/' Application.
Cannot open database "SiteCoreTrainingSitecore_Core" requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'sitecore'.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.
Exception Details: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Cannot open database "SiteCoreTrainingSitecore_Core" requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'sitecore'.

I have installed the Sitecore Training Website but could not find the SiteCoreTrainingSitecore_Core database in MS SQL Server Management Studio. I have also checked the IIS settings and the hosts file in the Windows folder and everything looks to be fine.

What I understand from this is that I do not have the SiteCoreTrainingSitecore_Core database on my system (simple and straightforward). But if that's missing, how (and from where) to enter it into the SQL Server Management Studio?

Answer 1

Do you have any Sitecore databases installed at all ?

When you ran the Sitecore installer you may have selected a 'Client Only' install that installs the file-system files but not the databases.

You may want to re-install and select 'Full Install' this time.

Alternatively, you can attach each of the 3 Sitecore databases (Core, Master and Web) using the Management Studio and update the /App_config/ConnectionStrings.config file to reflect the new details.

Answer 2

As it seems, your installation does find the database, but the login failed on user Sitecore. Please check what database server you are using when installing using the installer. Log into the MSSQL environment and attach user Sitecore to the databases as DB Owner and specify a user password for this user. (Turn of password policy)

To edit your connections open the connectionstrings.config file in the App_Config directory of your website. Check the connectionstrings and compare them to what you see in MSSQL Management studio on your SQL server.