Hi

I am running XP Professional aned I have just reinstalled MSSQL server 2005 and want to create a linked server. In Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, I go to server object -> linked servers -> providers and it is empty. If I right click and go new linked server the next error is returned:

"
Cannot show requested dialog.

===================================

Cannot find table 0. (System.Data)

------------------------------
Program Location:

   at System.Data.DataTableCollection.get_Item(Int32 index)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlManagerUI.LinkedServerPropertiesGeneral.PopulateProvidersCombo()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlManagerUI.LinkedServerPropertiesGeneral.Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.IPanelForm.OnInitialization()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.ViewSwitcherControlsManager.SetView(Int32 index, TreeNode node)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.ViewSwitcherControlsManager.SelectCurrentNode()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.ViewSwitcherControlsManager.InitializeUI(ViewSwitcherTreeView treeView, ISqlControlCollection viewsHolder, Panel rightPane)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.LaunchForm.InitializeForm(XmlDocument doc, IServiceProvider provider, ISqlControlCollection control)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.LaunchForm..ctor(XmlDocument doc, IServiceProvider provider)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.UI.VSIntegration.ObjectExplorer.ToolsMenuItem.OnCreateAndShowForm(IServiceProvider sp, XmlDocument doc)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.SqlMgmt.RunningFormsTable.RunningFormsTableImpl.ThreadStarter.StartThread()
"
 I have installed client components and have tried the same with SQL EXPRESS version and received the same results.


Does anyone know how to fix the problem.


Regards,

Michael Hough