Cant connect to remote server using SSMSE in Vista

Hi,

Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

I'm trying to connect to a remote server (on shared hosting) with Management Studio Express. I tried using it on Vista and it connects to the server and database perfectly. However, on Vista it gives the following error everytime:

TITLE: Connect to Server
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Cannot connect to sgc.gbdns.net.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, 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 a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 53)

For help, click:http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=53&LinkId=20476

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BUTTONS:

OK
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However, the host obviously has SQL server to allow remote connections as I'm able to connect from XP.

Both the XP and Vista PCs are running Avast free edition (the same builds) and both are running Windows firewall with management studio allowed through. Can anyone help?

I do not seam to have that problem on vista. I am running the sql express service pack 2 ctp(service pack 1 and earlier do not run on vista). Also when I start SSMSE I right click on the icon and select run as admin.|||

Thanks for your reply.

I don't habe the SP2 CTP installed. But isn't that for SQL Server rather than management studio? Plus, is your network set up as home, office or public location? I tried running as admin, running with compatibility mode set to XP SP2, nothing's working.

I also noticed that in windows firewall, management studio isn't listed as one of the programs by default. When trying to connect to the remote server, windows firewall doesn't ask me if I should allow the connection. I manually added management studio as an exception in windows firewall, but that didn't help. It seems the connection request isn't even going to windows firewall as it's not asking me to allow permission. Any ideas?

|||I also tried turning firewall and avast off. Didn't work.|||I could not even log into my local sql express on my machine until I loaded sql express with service pack 2.|||Thanks for the info. I guess I'mm lucky. I'll try SP2, but I still have doubts. I think our ISP may be blocking that port. Not sure, but I tried connecting from an XP of a friend who uses my ISP, and it failed. I'll check more possibilities tomorrow.|||

Hi,

The SQL Server 2005 might don't allow remote connection by default. You can try to enable it according to the following KB article.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914277/en-us

HTH. If this does not answer your question, please feel free to mark the post as Not Answered and we will look into it again. Thanks!