Sql-server – Unable to connect SQL Server 2008 from SQL Server 2005 DB

Even if you are using the newest version of SSMS, and SQL server 2008, that does not automaically upgrade any databases that you have attached to it. I can see SQL Server 2000 databases in SSMS for SQL Server 2008. Any database that is not upgraded cannot use SQL Server code from the newer version. If you are in compatibility mode, you may not be able to use all functionality of the newer version. I would suggest you connect to the database you want to use new features in and see what version the database is:

Select @@version

Note - do not upgrade the database to SQL Server 2008 unless the production databse has been upgraded or you will write code that can't be moved to production. Upgrading a database to a new version is delicate and time-consuming process requiring much testing. Many companies take years to upgrade to new versions as a result.

You need to install SQL Server 2008 first, then before running or rebooting install SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1.

You are attempting to install the service pack files first, without an existing base installation of SQL Server 2008. Since the Service Pack 1 package does not contain a full installation of SQL Server, you must have already installed the non-service-pack version. The other option would be to create a slip-streamed version of SQL Server 2008 setup by, essentially, combining the Service Pack 1 with the original version on DVD - then installing directly from that. Check https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%22sql+server%22+slipstream+setup for more info.

Don't click "Check for solutions online", click "Run Program" instead. After that completes, install Service Pack 1.