<rbowning@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>
>I'm quite new to SQL Server so maybe this is an easy question but I haven't
>found the answer after 3+ hours of Googling and experimenting.
>
>I have a simple set up - two computers named HELEN and DELORES, both running
>Win XP Pro, SP2. These machines are connected via a home network and both
>belong to the same Workgroup. There's no Domain involved. HELEN is running
>SQL Server Express while DELORES is the "client", running SQL Server
>Management Studio Express. I am using "Windows Authentication" and Named
>Pipes to allow DELORES to work with the SQL Server Express instance on
>HELEN.
>
>I have a general understanding of "Windows Authentication" and I was hoping
>someone could fill in the gaps. I realize "Windows Authentication" uses the
>underlying Windows User Accounts on the server to validate incoming
>connections.
>
>I'm sometimes having a problem in connecting SQL Server Management Studio
>Express (running on DELORES) to the SQL Server Express instance (running on
>HELEN). This problem may be due to a lack of understanding of Windows User
>Accounts.
>
>I've found that if I use the exact *same* username *and* passwords on both
>machines, SQL Server Management Studio Express has no problem connecting to
>HELEN's SQL Server Express instance. If I change the username and/or
>password on only one of the machines, however, the connection fails. Also,
>if I keep the usernames the same on both machines but I delete the
>passwords, the connection fails again.
>
>I realize I can set up a user account on HELEN. Do I then have to set up the
>same user account (with the same non-blank password) on Delores? So far,
>this is the method that's been successful. Is it possible for me to tell SQL
>Server Management Studio Express to use a particular account
>(username/password) when connecting to HELEN via Named Pipes? If so, how is
>that specified?
>
>I admit to my confusion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Robin
>