An unhandled exception of type 'System.Data.OracleClient.OracleException' occurred in System.Data.OracleClient.dll

Additional information: ORA-12154: TNS:could not resolve the connect identifier specified

I've gotten this before and its usually easy to resolve.  Check your TNSNames.ora and SQLNet.ora files in your "[Oracle Home]\network\ADMIN" directory and make sure your connection string is using the right values.  Try a TNSPing from the commandline to ensure that the database location is accessable. 

This time however, I could connect using my database development tools, SQLPlus, even my local asp.net website using the same connection string.  When I tried to connect from the project in "C:\projects\Subversion\Rentals 1.0.2.1(feb 1)\Rentals", it failed.

I then verified that the trunk version of the same project could connect.  Sure enough, successful connection.

The code and connection string were identical.  The only difference was the location.  Was it permissions inside the directory?  Wait, was it the directory name?

I copied the entire directory to a new location named:"C:\projects\Subversion\RentalsTest\Rentals", rebuilt and ran the project.

Successful Connection!

You're kidding me, right?!

I then renamed the directory "C:\projects\Subversion\Rentals 1.0.2.1(no)\Rentals", rebuilt and ran.

failure!

OK.  No more parentesis in folder names.

That sure was a waste of a day!

I mentioned in my last post that I couldn't use the barebones case that Jason offered me.  I learned that the P4R8L in the Pundit case overheats unless you use the low power, low heat Northwood CPU.  (By the way, I thought it said "P4RB8" and had a heluva time finding information until I got that B switched to an 8). 

This morning, I was benchmarking the HD and memory on that squeeky Dell when the memory analyzer reported my CPU details.  Intel, 1.8mhz, core: Northwood.

Sweet?!  I think so.  Now I can shop for the faster Prescott core chip and move the Northwood to the p4r8l.  I think  the little pundit is a prime candidate for the BizZoo HeadQuarters Media Center.  At my rate of computer building progress, I should have it ready just about the time the dors open!

...ad the dell?   Let's just say I am not buying anymore Dells.  I'd be better off with a new barebones from TigerDirect then trying to salvage that cranky pile af junk.

I've been putting together a PC for some time. I started the project more then six months ago.  As I can stand to spend a little money, I get a few more components.  I started out with a micro atx mother board and a few hard drives.  I believe I have over a terabyte of storage though I have to review the box full of parts.  When I purchased the motherboard, I decided to give AMD another try since I'd discovered that my failing AMD a few years ago turned out to be a bad IDE on the motherboard, not a bad cpu.  I wonder if my extreme overclocking had anything to do with that...  Until the IDE controller failed, the computer was very reliable and incredibly fast.  Gamers across America can't be wrong!

I researched the system carefully in the beginning.  However, as the project dragged on, I started looking for a way to work within my means and get a great value.  I went with an AMD Athlon 64 4000+.   Apparently, this is good.  I have no idea.  I picked up the CPU at TigerDirect for around $80.  I also got a gig of PC3200 ram for $80.  My friend and business partner, Jason, let me have his old micro case.  Unfortuntely, the board I have is incompatable.  I was still unable to assemble my brain sucking device.  Jason is also the inspiration for this entire project.  His media center freakin' rocks!

The TigerDirect order arrived and I realized only two things stood between me and my media center: a case and a cpu cooler.  I had taken notes long ago regarding what parts I had decided were best and searched for this document on my dying-a-slow-death Dell PC.  I am so glad I took the time to review my own notes.   The case you see here is quite sweet, ain't it?!  In addition to being easy to use, my wife will insist that it look pretty in the living room.  I think I can convince her to work with this.  The CPU cooler I'd selected was not in stock so I pulled the trigger on the "Blue Orb".  I'm not sure if it was the fact that it is the last required component or if I just lost my head but the blue light sold me.  I really need to grow up...