Ashok Ramachandrappa

If you have recently installed SQL Server 2005/2008, for security purposes, external and remote access is not enabled by default. If you try to connect to a SQL Server database from an external machine you may see one of the following errors.  ISSUES/ERRORS ·          SQL server does not allow remote connections ·          SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified ·          An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005/2008,this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections.(provider:Named Pipes Provider,error:40-Could not open connection to SQL Server)) ·          Server does not exist or access denied ·          A...

This problem occurs when you migrate the operating system. example if you are using Win Xp and migrate to Windows7 and when you try to attach the mdf files. This error occurs. Resolution : 1. Make sure you are logging with the same user name and password for SQL server. 2. You should have complete access to the mdf files. Full permission. 3. Restore with windows authentication. I had the same problem and i have restored it successfully. i have even tried with 32bit and 64bits win7 OS. Hope this will reslove your Issue.