How to create a local database server on my machine?

[Donetella King]

Hi,

I am new to all this and wanted to find out how do i go about creating a database server? I am not the one who setup the machine and i'm going to be using SQL Server Management Studio Express 2005.

When i open the program it requires a
1) server type
2) server name, and
3) authentication

i've tried typing in the machineName\sqlexpress and just the machineName but this is the error I get each time:

"
TITLE: Connect to Server
------------------------------

Cannot connect to nmotsisi-ws1.

------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)

"

Thank you for your help in advance
DKing

[Sl1ver]

Make sure you check google, there must be a set-up guide that will have what you need