"William (Bill) Vaughn" wrote:

> If you can't get connected to SQL Server, you need to help us help you by providing the answers to as many of these questions as possible:
> a.. The version of SQL Server you're accessing. For example, SQL Server 2000, SP3.
> b.. Are you accessing SQL Express via User Instance?
> c.. Are you attempting to connect by opening/attaching an .MDF database?
> d.. Have you configured your SQL Server instance to be visible to the network? What ports/protocols are enabled?
> e.. Are you attempting to open a local instance of SQL Server on your own system or a remote instance on a network or WAN share.
> f.. What type of connection are you attempting? For example, named instance ("myserver\myinstance"), or a TCP/IP, port connection.
> g.. What authentication you're attempting: For example, Integrated Security or SQL Server authentication.
> h.. What rights you have on the server and network. Is the user an admin or a simple user with limited rights?
> i.. What rights do you have on the target database?
> j.. What version of ADO or other data access interface are you using? Are you using COM-based ADO (which version?) or ADO.NET?
> k.. What provider or driver are you using? SqlClient, SqlCe, OleDb, Odbc or something else?
> l.. Is the application a Windows Forms, ASP.NET a web service or something else?
> m.. What have you tried so far? Let's see your ConnectionString. Nope, don't show us your username or password.
> n.. What exception message are you getting? Make sure you wrap your code in a Try/Catch block to trap the exception. If you're using ADO classic, send us as many errors as you can.
> I also suggest reading one or more of the whitepapers, articles and books that deal with 99% of the issues encountered when trying to get connected. Might I suggest http://betav.com/blog/billva/2006/06/getting_and_staying_connected.html or http://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=38356. I also include an entire chapter on getting connected (to SQL Server) in my new books.
>
> --
> ____________________________________
> William (Bill) Vaughn
> Author, Mentor, Consultant
> Microsoft MVP
> INETA Speaker
> www.betav.com/blog/billva
> www.betav.com
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so that others can benefit.
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> __________________________________
> Visit www.hitchhikerguides.net to get more information on my latest book:
> Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition)
> and Hitchhiker's Guide to SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition (EBook)
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------