Forum Discussion
Cannot connect Database Engine in SQL Management Studio
TITLE: Connect to Server ------------------------------ Cannot connect to ADMIRAL\SQLEXPRESS. ------------------------------ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A network-related or instance-specific error ...
Bhrigwish Are you connecting using SQL Login or Windows NT?
Try checking if the SQL Service is running. You can also check from the service the name of your Instance which is usually written inside a parenthesis like SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) "Ooops you've checked this already"
Have you tried using IP Address? e.g. 192.168.1.1\SQLEXPRESS
Also, try pinging your SQL Server if there's a reply.