Error 40: could not open a connection to Mssql server

Hi,

I'm using sql server 2005 express edition. I have created a database using sql server management studio express edition. Now I'm trying to connect it in visual studio 2005. It show following error.

An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connections to SQL 5erver 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact under the server's default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections, (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40- Could not open a connection to SQL Server)

I have enables named pipes from Sql services configuration manager.

Hi,

Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server

Is just a basic connectivity error meaning the client could not connect to the target SQL Server. So just follow the basic connectivity troubleshooting guidelines on our SQL Protocols blog, see:

SQL Server 2005 Connectivity Issue Troubleshoot - Part I

http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols/archive/2005/10/22/483684.aspx

and

SQL Server 2005 Connectivity Issue Troubleshoot - Part II

http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols/archive/2005/10/29/486861.aspx

This should help you debug the problem.