Posted by Razvan Socol on 03/19/07 20:44

> [...] I cannot connect to .\SQLEXPRESS with Database Engine selected,
> using Windows Authentication.

What error message do you get (below "Cannot connect to .
\SQLEXPRESS") ?
a) "An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the
server [...] Error Locating Server/Instance Specified"
b) "Login failed for user 'COMPUTERNAME\username'"

I guess that a). In this case, go to Start / Programs / SQL Server
2005 / Configuration Tools / SQL Server Configuration Manager. Under
"SQL Server 2005 Services" do you have any entry with the "SQL Server"
as the "Service Type" ?

If yes, try to connect to the instance name specified there (if it's
the default instance, just try to connect to ".").

If no, then the Database Engine seems to be not installed; when you
reinstall SQL Server, make sure that "Data files" and "Shared tools"
under "Database Services" are selected. Then remember what choice you
make in the Instance Name screen.

Razvan

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