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Both solutions were correct, however, I also found I wasn't using the entire servername\instancename.
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I am getting an invalid connection error message after linking a sql2008 server on a sql2000 server. <br />
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I am choosing the following in the setup:<br />
Provider Name: Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server<br />
Product Name: SQLOLEDB<br />
Data Source: is the server name<br />
<br />
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I have other linked servers setup the same and they are connecting successfully, however, they are linked to other SQL2000 or SQL2005 servers.
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I am getting an invalid connection error message after linking a sql2008 server on a sql2000 server. 

I am choosing the following in the setup:
Provider Name: Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server
Product Name: SQLOLEDB
Data Source: is the server name


I have other linked servers setup the same and they are connecting successfully, however, they are linked to other SQL2000 or SQL2005 servers.

Both solutions were correct, however, I also found I wasn&#39;t using the entire servername\instancename.

Invalid connection to a sql2008 linked server on a sql2000 server

Microsoft SQL Server is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.SQL Server is available in multiple versions, typically identified by release year, and versions are subdivided into editions to distinguish between product functionality. Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning.