SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server

Question

I hope someone can help me with this. I have differente projects (websites) in Visual Studio 2010. Today when I try to expand one of the databases in the data connections of the server explorer, I get a window with this error:

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: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.

Exception Details: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: 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: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)

Source Error:

An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.

The situation occurs in ALL my projects. I suppose this happens because I installed Kaspersky 2012 yesterday. Please I need help.

Solution 1

May be installing Kaspersky stopped SQL Server service. Type services.msc in run dialog box to open services panel . Make sure SQL Server service has status as Started . If not , right click on SQL Server and select start.

Of course this is if you are using Windows .

Solution 2

I think the problem is with your firewall. Here is something you can do to remove this error: http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2009/05/21/sql-server-fix-error-provider-named-pipes-provider-error-40-could-not-open-a-connection-to-sql-server-microsoft-sql-server-error/