SQL Express 2005 won't let me in

[Radu]

Hi. I'm trying to use SQLExpress 2005 (default install vsnet 2005). No
matter what I tried, I still can't use it.

A. In SQL server configuration manager I have tried the following:
1. Logon as built-in account - network service. Then in VSNET, new
database reference, I have servername="\SQ LEXPRESS", Use windows
authentication, and I enter dbname=master. I get an error saying that
"... under the default settings, sql server does not allow remote
connections (provider SQL Network Interfaces, error 25: connection
string is not valid".
2. I set logon as built-in account - local service and I restart BOTH
SQL server and SQL browser.
The exact same thing happens for logon as built-in account - local
service.
3. I set logon as built-in account - local system and I try to restart
BOTH SQL server and SQL browser. SQL server restarts. SQL browser
crashes. My CPU usage goes sky-high and the only way out is the task
manager.
I only have ONE computer, so it should run as local system, right ?
I also read somewhere that "named pipes" should be enabled. I did that
in SQL server 2005 network configuration - no improvement.
B. I also tried loging-in with a user name and password. Therefore, in
SQL server configuration manager I have set AccountName as
"MyMachineName\ Administrator" where, of course, my machine name is the
actual name of the machine. I have set no password on this machine, so
I leave the password blank and I click Apply. I get a "WMI provider
error: Invalid Parameter [0x80041008]". Very helpful indeed ! So I
assume that I need a pass, but which one ? I have tried "sa" and this
time I got "WMI provider error: The specified network password is not
correct [0x80070056]".
C. I have also tried to connect thru ODBC data source administrator.. .
no go.
So, please, what should I do to make this #(*&$(*#@&$ work ???
Thank you very much.

[Krosslern]

SQL Express by default has remote connections disabled. Here is what you do:
open the SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration tool (this is in the
configuration tools program group sub menu in the SQL Server program group
from Start->Programs). Click on "Surface Area Configuration for Services and
Connections", choose your instance of SQLEXPRESS, click on Remote Connections
and choose Local and remote connections.

Hope this helps.

[Alex Nitulescu]

Thank you... but I tried that yesterday, with the results as in my previous
post :-(

"Krosslern" <Kr*******@disc ussions.microso ft.com> wrote in message
news:F8******** *************** ***********@mic rosoft.com...

SQL Express by default has remote connections disabled. Here is what you
do:
open the SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration tool (this is in the
configuration tools program group sub menu in the SQL Server program group
from Start->Programs). Click on "Surface Area Configuration for Services
and
Connections", choose your instance of SQLEXPRESS, click on Remote
Connections
and choose Local and remote connections.

Hope this helps.

[Markus]

Hi,

I have servername="\SQ LEXPRESS"

Try "localhost\SQLE XPRESS" or "127.0.0.1\SQLE XPRESS"
If this does not work, go to "Start -> Programs -> Sql Server 2005 ->
Configuration Tools -> Sql Server Surface Area Configuration" then click
surface area for features.
Browse to your database engine and remote connections and allow TCP/IP
from remote connections.

maybe this helps
Markus