>>>Hi,
>>>
>>>I am trying to follow a tutorial which is creating something in Visual Studio 2008. One of the steps is to create a Service-based database. When I tried to do this it was telling me it could not connect to the SQL Server. I double checked and ensured my SQL Server 2008 Express was running. So I started up the SQL Server 2005 Express instance that I also have on my PC. This time the creation of the database worked.
>>>
>>>I would prefer to be using the 2008 version, how can I tell VS to use that instance?
>>
>>Are you creating database in SSMS? If yes, just connect to this server selecting it from drop down combobox.
>
>Sorry, I should have been clearer. The steps I am following are:
>
>1. Create a new Class Library project in VS2008
>2. Choose Project | Add New Item and choose Service-based Database

I think I saw very recently the same question in Forums.ASP.NET in SQL Server forum there http://forums.asp.net/54.aspx

Try searching there and if it would not work (searching there is hard), just post your question there.