Failed to update database because it is read-only

Question

I have set up my website to use ASP.NET Membership. it all works fine when trying to use it on my development machine but when I put it on the web server and try to log in, I get this error :

"Failed to update database "C:\INETPUB\WWWROOT\APP_DATA\ASPNETDB.MDF" because the database is read-only. "

Is the file readonly? Does the asp user account have permissions to write to the directory the database is in? — Sam Holder, Apr 01 '10 at 12:50

score 11 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 02 '10 at 17:30

thanks for the help. I just found a solution. in the App_Data ACL, I had two entries : Network Service and IIS_IUSRS. the Network Service account had full permissions but IIS_IUSRS group had only read access. so, I gave IIS_IUSRS full permissions as well and it worked !

thanks again.

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 20 '12 at 08:34

5

Don't forget to restart the IIS with "iisreset.exe" after altering the permissions

answered Mar 20 '12 at 08:34

This was really helpful, the changed permissions were only applied when IIS was restarted. – Erik Schierboom Mar 27 '13 at 12:46

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 01 '10 at 12:51

2

Check that file on the disk. Right click and go to properties.

If it is a read-only file, you will need to make it writeable.

answered Apr 01 '10 at 12:51

Tom Tresansky

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yes, the file is read-only.it inherits this behavior from its parent folder App_folder. funny thing is that when I try to unset the App_Data folder from read-only, it goes back to read-only. don't know what to do ... – Attilah Apr 01 '10 at 13:01
1

I had a similar problem didn't notice that TFS set it to read-only after a checkin. – Evan Anger Aug 21 '12 at 22:45

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 01 '10 at 13:12

2

If the file is read-only and you can't seem to change it using the Properties window, you have to use a command prompt.

Refer to this Support article at Microsoft.

answered Apr 01 '10 at 13:12

Greg Andora

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score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 05 '14 at 02:26

I followed Attilah's answer and found: 1. Both IIS-ISUR, WebService had full pomission to the App_Data and the mdf. 2. But someone called "asp.net 4.0 pool" and "all users" did not, so I allowed them.

Then 3. I followed user1280392's answer to run "iisreset" but failed (but still run it pls).

Then I went to IIS manager and did this: 4. Clicked the server's name, clicked "restart" on the right. 5. Clicked the applications name, clicked "restart" on the right.

and it was ok.

Oded · Answer 6 · 2010-04-01T12:59:53.427

1

The user account that the website is running under needs write permissions on the file.

It is also likely that the file is read-only as result of the transfer and needs to be set to be writeable.

edited Apr 01 '10 at 12:59

answered Apr 01 '10 at 12:50

Oded

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I gave full permission to the Network Service account. I'm using Windows 7 – Attilah Apr 01 '10 at 14:27
Can you post the connection string? – Oded Apr 01 '10 at 14:47
1

Hi Oded, thanks for the help. I just found a solution. in the App_Data ACL, I had two entries : Network Service and IIS_IUSRS. the Network Service account had full permissions but IIS_IUSRS group had only read access. so, I gave IIS_IUSRS full permissions as well and it worked ! – Attilah Apr 02 '10 at 17:28

Failed to update database because it is read-only

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