SBS 2008 Sharepoint 3.0 Central Administration error: cannot connect to the configuration database

**pmela** · 08-02-2010

While connecting to Sharepoint 3.0, I am facing a database error on Windows SBS 2008. It is a old server and Sharepoint is recently upgraded to much newer version. I am working on a test environment first. Because direct modification on the actual server lead to more bugs and errors. On the test environment I got this first error. I just want some help on the same and also is anyone facing the same kind of error on any other environment.

**haritable** · 09-02-2010

Check out the below link. The KB articles provide some cause of error you are facing. For example the first reason that is listed is based on SQL database. So that first thing that you can instantly check out is about performance of SQL server. Just check whether it is running or not. You can try to restart the same and verify. Second thing you will need to check is IIS. Check the permission and connectivity settings. And third thing is loss of connectivity between Sharepoint and SQL Server. It can be due to outdated drivers or inappropriate permission or even timeout settings.
Error "Cannot connect to the configuration database" when you connect to a Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 website

**Fedlix** · 09-02-2010

Here is one more link that offer you more information on how to deal with the problem. The link has detailed steps that allow you to manage problem with application pool identity. It is possible that you are getting error related to the same.

How to change the application pool identity for Windows SharePoint Services administration and content virtual servers

**Dakshi** · 12-02-2010

Try to re-install the Sharepoint server. It is always recommended that instead of upgrading you must directly install the new version of Sharepoint from scratch. Never upgrade because old settings are still in the system and they are causing conflict. So it is necessary that you perform a clean setup by adding all the steps one by one.

**iShree** · 16-02-2010

The problem lies with SQL only. So you have to work on that. No Need to touch Sharepoint. The link below gives you more information on fixing the problem with SQL. Once you reconfigure all the settings it will start working fine and there will not be any major problem.

SharePoint 2010: "Cannot connect to the configuration database" (en-US)