Unable To Connect To MSDE Database

Hello All,I am using Visual studio.net framework 1.0 on win XP pro with MSDE. I am not being able to coneect to database using below code. can anyone suggest or have any idea what is going on? I have used all kinds of password and id. It doesnt pull data from DB.  Really appreciate any help. Thank you in advance.


Sub Page_Load
If Not IsPostBack Then
Dim conNorthwind As SqlConnection
Dim cmdSelect As SqlCommand
Dim dtrCategories As SqlDataReader

conNorthwind = New SqlConnection( "Server=localhost;UID=sa;pwd=**secret**;Database=Northwind")
cmdSelect = New SqlCommand( "Select CategoryName From Categories", conNorthwind )
conNorthwind.Open()
dtrCategories = cmdSelect.ExecuteReader()

rptCategories.DataSource = dtrCategories
rptCategories.DataBind()

dtrCategories.Close()
conNorthwind.Close()
End If
End Sub

Sub Button_Click( s As Object, e As RepeaterCommandEventArgs )
Dim lbtnSelected As LinkButton

lbtnSelected = e.Item.Controls( 1 )
lblCategory.Text = "You selected " & lbtnSelected.Text
End Sub