Hi sorry for this post - its not 100% mojo portal ;(

I have mojoportal set up on my server windows 2008 server with sql server 2008, and hosting with 1and1.

basically i was trying to get a dirrect connection (using ms access to the database server) following this blog http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2009/05/21/sql-server-fix-error-provider-named-pipes-provider-error-40-could-not-open-a-connection-to-sql-server-microsoft-sql-server-error/

I think the changes I have made to tcp/ip (which i did incorrectly to start with) have stopped mojo connecting to the database server.(error message below)

Ive tried reseting them back to what I thought they were but still the same message, can anyone let me kow what settings they have for the following in Sql server configuration manager

Sql Native Client 10.Configuration (32bit)

Client Protocols

• TCP/IP Enabled
• Named Pipes Enabled

Sql Native Client 10.Configuration

Client Protocols

•  TCP/IP Enabled
• Named Pipes Enabled
   

SQL server Network Configuration

Protocols for myServername

• Named Pipes Enabled

(i havent touched shaed memory or via - so i know they are fine)

Could it be something else ive tried so many variations (and restarted the service) but still the same - also turned off the firewall to make sure that wasnt the issue. 

any help realy appreciated

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.GetConnection(DbConnection owningObject) at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.GetConnection(DbConnection owningConnection) at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionClosed.OpenConnection(DbConnection outerConnection, DbConnectionFactory connectionFactory) at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.Open() at mojoPortal.Data.DBPortal.DatabaseHelperGetConnectionError(String overrideConnectionInfo)

hi joe, I wasnt after help with the direct connection. that was just what i was trying to start with, once I tried changing the protocols as the blog suggested the mojoportal site stopped working.  the reason I posted here was I know you recommend 1and1 so thought it might be the best place to find out what others with a simular set up had for the defaults.. anyway I resorted to a uninstall and reinstall of sql 2008 server to try get teh default settings back, didnt help.

I havent changed a thing on the mojo side so im hoping it just a matter of finding out why sql server 2008 cant connect to anything, is there anything in mp set up that might help re establish the connection? or is the best error message im likely to get the one I attached below?

thanks for the suggestions anyway, i was already looking elsewhere (and still am wth no luck)

-already turned the firewall off and the server instance hasnt changed since it was installled / and mp has been working with it for 12 months now.

I was just despareate to get the site up and running as soon as posible, but thats not going to happen anytime soon

I would not have re-installed it as a step to solve a connection issue" - desparate times call for desparate measures - I was hoping it would reset the defaults, I had already tried the things you suggested along with most of the stuff suggested on various forums / blogs.

I can get a response back(listing instance and server name) from the port using sqlcmd -L and using portqry against localhost  but not when i use the servername, so im thinking is something the windows server as oposed to sql server..

anyway thanks for the responses, I will keep trying stuff i see in posts , in the hope that it works, thanks again.

30 hours (minus 8 hours sleep) and manage to get it running,  before I make excuses, I take full responsibility for "messing with stuff"

but the trueth is is I have no idea how it could have gone wrong- after reinstalling sql server (and trying many other things out) i found an Alias in the SQL server config manager, Sql native client config. the Alias was the servername/instancename  so exactly the same as my server and instance so i guess any changes I was making to get it working it was still looking at the Alias - which I am sure i never added (but must have) and doubely sure I wouldnt have called it exactly the same as the live server/instance - that would be insane.

But anyway, I think once the site is more established I will be definately be enquiring about a support pricing. 

thanks again