[ThatHideousStrength]

I'm running SQL Express but I can't seem to connect to it.

Through VS 2005 (NOT EXPRESS) I can't set up a connection. I had it working before but now I can't.

I type in computer name, then name my database, I use Windows Authentication and I press OK. It stalls for 30 seconds then tells me "An error has occurred while establishing a connection with the server."

About a month ago I installed forum software on my computer and it worked! I even made my own login session that checks a database and that works too.

Why can't I create a database


Edit: My webapp that authenticates against a database still works.

I'm confused.

I swear MySQL was so much easier to use.

[j0k3r]

If you installed with the default settings then you installed to a named instance. By default the instance name is SQLExpress. Connecting to it would be <ComputerName>\SQLExpress. Check your protocols as well, I think by default only Shared Memory is enabled. If the database is on a different machine, you'll need to enable Named Pipes or TCP/IP connections.