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Mike EghtebasFlag for United States of America

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Log-in to SQL Server

Last year, I installed SQL Server 2008R with pretty much the default settings so I can easily log-in and connect to database engine easily. I guess I used windows authentication to do so.
Lately, while SQL Server was open, I installed some iTune updates…, the open programs was forced closed in order to restart the laptop.
Now, when I try to connect to database engine, I get the following message:


TITLE: Connect to Server
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Cannot connect to (local).

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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)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=2&LinkId=20476

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BUTTONS:

OK

Apparently, I need to enter another another server name than the default "Local".

Question: Where can I find the server names in my computer? So that I could browse replace the "Local" option it gives as default?

Thank you.


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SQL-Server-log-in.png
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Kevin Cross
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Look under services. Check for the SQL Server service and see what is in the braces. MSSQLSERVER is the default instance and would be connected to as just the {system name}. If SQLEXPRESS or any other name is listed, that would mean you have a "named instance" and would be connected to by {machine name}\{instance name}.
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John_Arifin
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mwvisa1,

re> Look under services.

Where? How?

John_Arifin,

re:> ,,, server already run?

Was not running. I tried after the computer was booted up.  ans use of . instead of local didn't work.

Mike
Look under services. Check for the SQL Server service and see what is in the braces. MSSQLSERVER is the default instance and would be connected to as just the {system name}. If SQLEXPRESS or any other name is listed, that would mean you have a "named instance" and would be connected to by {machine name}\{instance name}.

Open up Windows Services (Start > Run > Services.msc)
Look for the SQL Server service(s)
Next to SQL Server, you will see (MSSQLSERVER) or (INSTANCENAME).
Whatever is in the () will be the value you have to use while connecting to the sever as the INSTANCENAME unless it is MSSQLSERVER which represents default and as such does not need to be included.
I have an image of "Services" included below. FYI, I am running Windows 7 professional.

For server name in "Connect to server" screen, I have replaced (Local) with the following but hasn't work so far:

SQLEXPRESS
MSSQLSERVER
MSSQL

I hope I don't have to re-install SQL Server again.

Thanks for the help.

Mike
I forgot to upload the image. Here it is:
LogginError.png
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.\SQLEXPRESS

Works. I wonder why it had been replaced by (Local).

And also, this was suppose full version of 2008R not express.

One possibility is that after one year (student use) its setting changes from 2008R to 2008Express?

Thanks a lot.

Mike