SQL Server 2008 flipped to Evaluation Copy

Has you MSDN license expired?

The Evaluation SQL software doesn't go out of it's way to let you know that you are working with the evaluation software.  On the instances which are still running, you should be able to 'select @@version', and if it's the evaluation... it'll say so in the product description.  I suspect you have a 180 day evaluation and if other instances were installed using the same iso, they are facing the same fate.

Assuming the instance is being used for development, the good news is that a SQL development license is relatively inexpensive, and mirrors the functionality of Enterprise.  (Or Express is still free...)

The program came from MSDN and is being used successfully by other members of our staff.
If you are talking about the Microsoft Developer Network subscriber library, than you should know that the Evaluation Edition of SQL Server cannot be downloaded from here.

At this point I did a full un-install from Program Manager, although I did have to manually delete some folders and registry entries.

The re-install went better (meaning no errors) but now I can't connect. I think the evaluation expiration issue is resolved but ,,,

Here's the message I now get when I attempt to connect to the server.

Hopefully, one of you have some ideas on this because I'm all out!
SQLServer-Connection-Failure.docx

(First, just nitpick... but be wary with Word Documents... this week's Microsoft patches included patch for Word.)

I'd tend to want to open the "SQL Server Configuration Manager" for your instance, and look through the Network Configuration to make certain the protocol you wish to use is enabled.  It appears, for example, that you're getting an error with Named Pipes.
You didn't have an instance of SQL Browser server survive from the previous install by any chance did you?

And the potentially stupid question, have you attempted to open SSMS on the server itself, as opposed to trying from a workstation.

This is a local server. The named instance is DON2008R2 as you can see in the "Services" document (attached). The protocols for that instance are all enabled, however, when I go to Mgmt Studio (attached) or Mgmt Studio_Browse (also attached) there's nothing there.
I've included a snap-shot of Program Mgr also because I don't know why there's more than one instance being shown.
I stopped the service and deleted all but one but then couldn't start all the services I'd stopped so I restored them.
SQLServer-Services.docx

SQLServer-MgmtStudio.docx

SQLServer-MgmtStudio-Browse.docx

SQLServer-ProgramMgr.docx

Since this is a named instance you need to connect as ComputerName\DON2008R2

I tried that already (unfortunately). Does anyone know of an online Mr. Fixit sql expert?
Someone that doesn't charge an arm and a leg because we all know this can be a very lengthy process. Even if they could end up with telling me exactly what the problem is and I fix it myself. I'm already a week behind schedule at work because of this.

if you have SQL Server 2008 Evaluation Copy
and own valid sql server 2008 key


this will help:

How to upgrade an expired installation of SQL Server 2008 Evaluation Edition to a retail version of SQL Server 2008

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2020443
and this one

SQL Server 2008 Evaluation Edition Upgrade
http://shahfaisalmuhammed.blogspot.com/2011/09/sql-server-2008-evaluation-edition.html

I apologize for ignoring this for so long. In truth, it was difficult for me to decide how to award the points and while I tried many of the suggestions mentioned, none actually worked. I ended up reformatting my hard drive to resolve the issue. This is the second time I've experienced something like this with SQL Server. It's a great product as long as you never have to perform maintenance of any kind on it. Then it sucks.

Thanks everyone!