You receive a "Cannot connect to the configuration database" error message when you connect to your Windows SharePoint Services Web site (823287)

RESOLUTION

Use one of the following methods to resolve this behavior.

Method 1: Verify That the SQL Database Is Running

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
2. In the list of services, locate the MSSQLSERVER service. This service may also be listed as MSSQL$SHAREPOINT.
3. Note the value of the Status column. If the Status column lists Started, the database server is running. If the Status column is empty, the database server is not running. To start the database server, follow these steps:
   • Right-click the MSSQLSERVER service, and then click Start.

Method 2: Verify That IIS Is Not Running in IIS 5.0 Isolation Mode

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
2. In the left pane, right-click your server name, and then expand the local computer.
3. Right click Web Sites, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Service tab.
5. Click to clear the Run WWW service in IIS 5.0 isolation mode check box.
6. Click OK
7. To start the WWW service, click Yes.

Method 3: Make Sure That the Account That Is Used By the Application Pool Is the Account That Has the Required Permissions to the SQL Server Database

. First, you must first determine the application pool identity. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
2. Double-click the Web Sites folder.
3. Right-click the virtual server that is running Windows SharePoint Services, and then click Properties.
4. Click Home Directory.
5. Note the information that is in the Application name box (this is the application pool name), and then click Cancel.
6. In the left pane, right-click Application Pools, and then click Properties.
7. Click the Identity tab.
8. Note the information that is in the Application pool identitypane, and then click Cancel.

Next, you must verify that this account has the required permission the SQL Server database. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server, and then click Enterprise Manager.
2. In the left pane, double-click Microsoft SQL Servers, and then double-click your SQL server group.
3. Double-click your server.
4. Double-click Security.
5. In the left pane, click Logins.
6. In the right pane, double-click the user who you noted step 8 of the previous procedure.
7. In the SQL Server Login Properties dialog box, click Server Roles.
8. Click to select both the Security Administrators and the Database Creators check boxes, and then click Database Access.
9. Under the Permit column, click to select the Windows SharePoint Services database.
10. Click OK.