I've been having similar problems with some of the sample apps as well. I'm using SQL Express
The BOM works fine and the database connection is correct. I've also deleted the connection.dat file a couple of times thinking that may be the problem.
Public
MessageBox.Show(
Form1.Show()
End
When I run this from the IDE all I get is a flicker, then get sent back to the IDE. I located the exe file and ran that. Oddly enough, the message box shows, then the flicker, then nothing. Below is my VS version info. Probably something's messed up with VS
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005Version 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)Microsoft .NET FrameworkVersion 2.0.50727
Installed Edition: Professional
System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(New Form1())
That will cause it to break until the form is closed. If you don't do that, then the app will just fall through and shutdown.