Cannot connect to the database server

[DavidAlvarez]

I am installing a Personal SDE on a windows 7 machine. (ArcGIS 10.0 SP4)

I run the installation without any problem (No errors on the SQL server Express and neither on the "Enable geodatabase storage on SQL Server Express". but when i open ArcCatalog to go to Add Database Server. I get the error "Cannot connect to the database serverFailed to connect to Database Server"

Any ideas how to solve this?

Thank you,

David

[LaurenceClinton]

Hi David, 

Check to see that the correct instance is used (E.g. servername\sqlexpress).  You also may want to open the Services panel and scroll down to see if SQL Server (SQLExpress) has been started.

The below KB covers additional trouble shooting steps you may want to look at:

http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/techarticles/detail/35278

[DavidAlvarez]

Hi Laurence

I did what the knowledge base article suggested and still can not connect

Solution or Workaround

1. Ensure the SQL Server instance is running and configured to allow remote connections. Done
2. Enable TCP/IP and/or Named Pipes protocol in SQL Server Configuration Manager. Done
3. Enable SQL Server Browser Service.  Done
4. Add the Windows domain account into the SQL Server instance. Done

[LaurenceClinton]

Hi David,

Is the computer connected to the domain?

[DavidAlvarez]

yes.

I can use the SQL Server management Studio to connect to the DB without any problem.