SQL Server 2008 Express Edition

  • Hi

    I have SQL Server 2008 Express Edition installed on my laptop running Vista Home edition. I cannot seem to connect to an instance in the SSMS 'Connect to Server' dialog - the options in the Server name drop-down only give (local) with no mention of a SQL Server instance! I tried connecting to local but It won't let me in under Windows authentication and doesn't let me change my login either. I cannot get in under SQL authentication either because I don't know the login details! It all works fine under Visual Studio 2008 Express for my web sites so I don't want to reinstall it - are there any ways around this as I need to restore a DB and work on it in SSMS??

  • Is your login a local administrator?

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
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  • You can use the DAC if you are a local administrator to connect and reset things

    http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlexpress/archive/2005/09/08/462609.aspx

  • Thanks - that is an interesting link. I have resolved my problem with simply typing in MY-PC-NAME\SQLEXPRESS in the connection dialog instead of expecting it to be in the drop-down - doh!

  • That'll make a difference! 🙂

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

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