SQL Server 2008 - cannot register default instance MSSQLSERVER

Question

Hello, I have installed SQL Server 2008 Developer on Windows 7 64 bit. In Management Studio I cannot register the default instance MSSQLSERVER, it cannot find it although the service is running. I get the message:

Cannot connect to PHOENIX\MSSQLSERVER.

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: 25 - Connection string is not valid) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 87)

However Management Studio does show the SQL Server 2005 Express instance (that was installed with VS 2008 Pro) which appeared as already registered. I an using Windows Authentication as I installed it in mixed mode. Any ideas would be appreciated, many thanks

paul

Answer 1

Check if the server allows remote connections on TCP/IP port 1433.

this can be checked by SQL Server 2008 configuration manager.

Go to network configuration and check if tcp/ip is enabled. If not enable this one.

Answer 2

Run SSMS using elevated privileges, to see if that helps. Otherwise, you're trying to connect as a low-priv user, and you have to have explicitly given that account access.

Answer 3

I have the same problem as the author of this thread. I have exactly the same configuration and program versions:

SQL Server 2008 Developer Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Visual Studio 2008 Professional

An attempt to connect via the Management Studio gives me exactly the same error (87). I also have only the SQLEXPRESS instance visible from the Management Studio - it can connect successfully.

• The installation of SQL Server 2008 was finished without any problems.
• Installing the VS 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Service Packs didn't help
• The service is running
• TCP protocol on server is enabled
• Firewall is disabled
• I run everthing from an admin account
• I tried running Management Studio explicitly "as administrator"
• I am using windows authentication
• My SQL Server 2008 instance name is default and it is: MSSQLSERVER

I have read about 20-30 SQL similar sql server problem solutions and nothing seems to help. I would be really grateful for any solution...

Answer 4

OK, the problem is solved.

I always connected as:

[machine_name]/[instance_name]

and it wasn't able to connect. What works is connecting simply as:

[machine_name]

This is probably due to the fact that I am running a DEFAULT instance... It still doesn't seem to be sufficiently logical, but well - it works.

I can also connect programatically via VS with no problems.

Answer 5

Brilliant, well done Maciej, thats the answer and it works!! I also expected it to connect as[Machine_Name]/[Instance_Name] and also tried connecting just as [Instance_Name]. However I would not have thought of using just [Machine_Name]. Many thanks

Answer 6

Thank you Maciej. Using just the server name was exactly the right answer.