Help start BCM - error message "Cannot retrieve the list of sql server instances"

Question

I don't know how to get started with Business Contact Manager 2013.  It's a new computer and BCM came installed already.

When I run the program, I get the first message:

"Please click one of the following options, and then click Next."

then I have the options - Create a new database, Migrate a database, etc.

No matter what I select, I get this error:

"Cannot retrieve the list of SQL Server instances.  Please make sure that SQL Server 2005 or greater is installed and that the service is running."

What do I need to do to get BCM to run correctly?

Answer 1

This solution worked for me :

Try to connect to the console "SQL Server Configuration Manager".

If you have the message :

"Cannot connect to WMI provider. You do not have permission or the server is unreachable"

Firstly resolve this problem. For that, read the post https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/956013 Attention In "Workarround" part, open the "Command prompt" with administrator rights.

After, if the problem with the console "SQL Server Configuration Manager" is solved, try to open "BCM database tool", normaly the problem is also solved.

Attention to not confuse between the tool "SQL Server Configuration Manager" and "SQL Server Management Studio"

• The first is for manage SQL Services, Network configuration and SQL Server Native client configuration.
• The second is for manage the databases (databases, security, Backup...).

Answer 2

Hi,

I've encountered the same error message as Kristen above, with the same scenario.

After selecting Create a new database or Migrate a database, etc., when I tried to select Database Server Instance the same error message pops out - "Cannot retrieve the list of SQL Server instances.  Please make sure that SQL Server 2005 or greater is installed and that the service is running." 

I've checked and verified that the service is running.

My installation environment is on Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and SQL Server 2014 Express.

My suspicion is that the BCM 2013 Database Tool is not compatible with this version of SQL Server.

Could you please confirm if this is so?

If this is true, may I know how I can cleanly uninstall SQL Server 2014 Express and replace it with SQL Server 2008 R2 Express?

Your immediate response is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Those links don't exist anymore. I don't know why this is so difficult. I have spent hours just trying to create a backup for my Contacts. I should be able to do this directly from Outlook. I just keep hitting one road block after another.

Answer 4

I am experiencing the same error as Frank and Kristen above when using the BCM Database Tool.  I have used this tool for the last couple of years to back up my database, which was in SQL 2008.  An upgrade to our accounting software required me to upgrade SQL to 2014, at which point the BCM Database Tool stopped working.

"Cannot retrieve the list of SQL Server instances.  Please make sure that SQL Server 2005 or greater is installed and that the service is running." 

SQL is functioning correctly, as my users can still use Business Contact Manager without issue.

Any help would be most welcome.

Answer 5

Hi Kristen,

Check if you have Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP2 or Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP3 installed on the computer. To do that, go to Control Panel and Programs and Features. In the list of installed programs look for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP2 or Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP3.

You may also check and start the status of the SQL server service and then try creating the data base in Outlook and check if it helps. For more information on the same, refer to the section ‘You must start the SQL Server service’ in the following link:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/outlook-help/troubleshoot-installing-business-contact-manager-for-outlook-2010-sql-server-2008-express-HP010262565.aspx#\_Toc259026645

You may also refer to the following link ‘Troubleshoot database operations in Business Contact Manager’ and check if it helps:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/outlook-help/troubleshoot-database-operations-in-business-contact-manager-HP010262612.aspx

If the above information does not help, then you may reply for further assistance.

Thank you