Help! How do I create an SQL database on my machine? + Access -> SQL ?

According to my technical support for web hosting, for database format they only use "MS SQL" operating on a windows system, usualy clients create they're sites on their local machines using "MS SQL".

I'm just wondering....

Is 'MS SQL' free? where can I get it?

I also have the option of creating the site round an access databse but I'm worried about the security issues,

do you think it would be wise to use access?

Is it easy to convert a site written in ASP.NET&ACCESS into a site using ASP.NET&"ms sql"?

because then I could code a site in the former on my machine and then change the code to link to an sql server.when my suport persons talking about "MS SQL" does he actually mean "msde"?

I've been having some trouble with that too:

http://www.gotdotnet.com/Community/MessageBoard/Thread.aspx?id=181961&Page=1#183129|||'MS SQL Server' is not free. The good news are that MS has released a scaled down version of MS Sql Server which is. It's called MSDE (MS Desktop Edition) and is ideal for developing on your local machine, as well as OK for low traffic production servers. Download ithere.|||thanks for the reply andre,

that last post went up before I read your replied,

MSDE wont install because it says I need a strong SA password but I have no idea how to set one up for my account.|||more info, I think i downloaded the wrong package file before "sql2kdesksp3" I'm now downloading sql2ksp3 is that the right onw? is the other stuff I need to download to?|||downloading msde2000a now aswell|||its still having the same SAPWD option,

Is there a detailed explanation anywhere on using the SAPWD switch or have I goy my wires crossed.

HELP!

I upgraded my SQL Server to 2000. My clients were all
running SQL 7 to connect to the database. It was slow, so
I upgraded my computer to SQL2000 to test. Now I can't
get connected to the database AND my clients can't connect
either.
Hi,
Can you please give some more information.
I upgraded my computer to SQL2000 to test ??
Did you upgraded your client sql7 software to SQl 2000 in your PC. What is
that test?
Thanks
Hari
MCDBA
"AGFSG" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2301201c45dfc$78c0cea0$a401280a@.phx.gbl...
> I upgraded my SQL Server to 2000. My clients were all
> running SQL 7 to connect to the database. It was slow, so
> I upgraded my computer to SQL2000 to test. Now I can't
> get connected to the database AND my clients can't connect
> either.
|||What error messages do u get? Was the upgrade successful? You might want to
start by checking the SQL Error logs in the program Files folder, sQL
Server >> LOG folder and look for any error messages that might indicate
basic server problems. And then we'll do other troubleshooting after we
mjake sure the sql server is fine.
Vikram Jayaram
Microsoft, SQL Server
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