String sqlConnString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings[connection that works].ConnectionString; SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(sqlConnString); SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(query that works, conn); conn.Open(); SqlDataReader dr = cmd.ExecuteReader(); String desc = "No rows."; if (dr.HasRows) { desc = "more than 0."; //desc = dr[0].ToString(); // This is the part giving me issues. } conn.Close();