There are two possibilities for the above message:

• The SQL Server Service has not been started. This can be started by going to Start – Program Files – Digitech Systems – Microsoft MSDE Service Manager. Under Services, select SQL Server and then click the Start/Continue icon.
• The system already has SQL/MSDE installed and it does not have a blank SA password or it is using a Named Instance of SQL. In this case, you would need to manually create the database and user in SQL and then manually enter the connection string information.