SQL Server Management Studio won't connect to Sql Server

Question

I've installed Visual Web Developer 2010, SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Management Studio 2008, using the MS Web Platform Installer 2.0. But whenever I wanna login, with Windows Authentication, to SQL Server with the Sql Management Studio it throws me an error: Cannot connect to (local)

And then under that, it says that it can't find the server or it can't access it.

I used to use the Sql Management Studio 2005 before and I could connect easily. But with this version it seems there are some issues. Can someone help me, please? Thank you.

Solution 1

Check in the "SQL Server Configuration Manager" the instance is correct if you are trying to access. If it is not the default instance, you must access by < computer_name >\< instance_name > (eg: MyComputer\SQLEXPRESS)

If still you do not connect, try the replace < computer_name > by "localhost" or "127.0.0.1"

Solution 2

Do you have multiple versions of SQL Server installed?

If so, you will need to specify the full instance name.

Comments

[Shaoz]

Thanks, it works!!! I entered 'localhost/SQLEXPRESS' and it logged in. Thanks again...

[LazyZebra]

you mean localhost\SQLEXPRESS (backslash) :)