Unable to connect to SQL Server on client with WinForms app

[excelthoughts]

Hi,

I have a Visual C# WinForms app which I am accessing a SQL Server 2005 database with. On the Server, I have allowed remote connections (TCP and named pipes) and enable SQL Browser as per instructions on MSDN. The app works fine on the development machine.

Server name is <machine name>\SQLEXPRESS, connecting with Windows Authentication.
Server log states that it is listening on [ 'any' <ipv4> 3153].
Server named pipe provider is ready to accept connection on [ \\.\pipe\MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS\sql\query ].

On the client (local network), when trying to open the database I get this error still:

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: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)

Also on the client, I can go into the ODBC Data Source Administation, and connect to the SQL Server Database that way successfully.

What further steps can I take to allow the client to access the SQL Server?

Andrew

 

[SQLWilts]

Can we see your connection string please?

 

[mrdenny]

This FAQ faq962-5481 covers the basics on troubleshooting connections to SQL Server.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

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