Request help understanding Server.MapPath connection issue

I am trying to understand the Server.MapPath method and would appreciate an explanation of why this works:

I have a file on a remote ISP [\webroot\myfile.asp] that has the following in it:

‘Open the Database Connection
%><!--#INCLUDE file=”connect.inc”<%

[Note: the connect file is also located within the webroot directory]

My database, storeDB.mdb, is located in a database folder within the root directory on the same level as the webroot folder (not within the webroot folder). Therefore, the connect.inc. is as follows:

<%
'*** Open the Connection
'*** NOTE: MS Access-specific dsn-less connection here!

IF IsObject(Session("goConn")) THEN
SET Conn=Session("goConn")
ELSE
lcConnect = "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};"
lcConnect = lcConnect & "DBQ=" & Server.MapPath("../database/storeDB.mdb")
Set Conn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
Conn.Open lcConnect
Set Session("goConn")=Conn
END IF
%>

All of the above successfully makes a connection to my database and everything works fine.

However, I am having a devil of a time getting a connection when I do the following:

I want to put connect.inc within a folder within the webroot. The path would
be [\webroot\includes\connect.inc ].

I also would like to move myfile.asp into a folder within the webroot. The path would be
[ \webroot\services\myfile.asp ].

With these relocations, why doesn’t these additional changes to the relocated files work:

In \webroot\services\myfile.asp:

‘Open the Database Connection
%><!--#INCLUDE file=”../includes/connect.inc”<%

I have tried both Server.MapPath("../database/storeDB.mdb") as well as
Server.MapPath(“database/storeDB.mdb) or Server.MapPath(“/database/storeDB.mdb) and none of these make a proper connection. I’m sure this is a file path issue and a misunderstanding of the Server.MapPath method. Could someone help me with the proper file paths and clear up my muddled understanding? I would sincerely appreciate it.

a path issue? have a look at this: (as long as you just didnt misprint in this tread..)

try to change it to:

because the #include tag wasnt closed, im not sure if its neccessary, but i thinks so.

i do not understand why does your connect.inc works well, because when i use it, the mistake occurs:

Server.MapPath() error 'ASP 0175 : 80004005'

Disallowed Path Characters

/connect.asp, line 3

The '..' characters are not allowed in the Path parameter for the MapPath method.