did a little googling and came up with this:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=912399

Give this a whirl:

exec sp_dropserver [hqsq_GOLD\NP] --the incorrect name

go

exec sp_helpserver

go

exec sp_addserver [HQSQLTST01\NP],'local' -- the correct name

go

exec sp_helpserver

go

I'm now scratching my head ... going to grasp at a straw now ...

was the server\instancename string single quoted or square bracketed ?

Did you include the named instance portion (\whateverinstance) in the servername ?

I have located a v4.21 installation CD and attached the I386 directory in a zip file. It should have everything you need. Have fun !!!

So many KBs, SPs and CUs ... so little mind ...

Thanks for the refresher in MS Algebra Al !

v4.2 was on OS2/Warp - Daily to weekly reboots

v4.21 was on NT 3.5 - Weekly restarts for SQL, Monthly reboots for Windows

v4.21a was on NT 3.51 - Weekly...

I know I have 6.0 CD at home - I may even have a v4.21 CD with the 3 floppies for the client tools - I'll let you know...

I believe to get to the same level of protection you'll need SP3 and CU #1 for SP3.

To get little green triangle for running (or red for stopped) try opening up TCP Port 445 and possibly UDP Port 445.

Why re-invent the wheel ???

This flat-file dbms already exists - it's called LotusNotes !!!

Since it is down - try copying the application database .mdf and .ldf files to another instance and try to attach and see what happens.

As for you XP issues, well...

boy - you never realize how much you have forgotten - v4.21a was so long ago ...

is it physname or phyname ... just cannot remember ...

LOG ON or just ON...

oops ... I think that Sybase uses physname on diskinit

and MS wants to use phyname on diskinit instead ... go figure

You first need to create 'devices' with the diskinit command.

disk init

name = 'data_device',

physname = "d:\devices\userdata.dat",

size = 5120 ...