There are two types of login authentication on SQL Server 2008, Windows authentication and SQL authentication.Windows authentication is the same as your windows login. In a way, it’s very convenient for the user because you, as a user, don’t have to memorize other login data than your windows login. But this could be dangerous, if someone else knows your password, he or she then can mess up the database.

To prevent that, SQL Server 2008 has its own login feature. A database administrator has to set this up and give the rights and permissions accordingly.

A common problem with login is, you can login to the database with your windows login, but when you try with an SQL login, it failed. The source of the problem is, the database is set up only accepting windows login, not SQL login. The solution is pretty simple:

• log in with your windows login, so you can access the database
• right click on the server name, and choose properties
• a server properties window pops up, choose Security
• under Server authentication, choose SQL Server and Windows authentication
• restart the SQL Server (in other words, restart the service)

That will do it.