Unable to connect to SQL Express "Error: 26-Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)

Question

I am at an loose end with one particular box that is running SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.

• Windows Firewall is configured to allow inbound TCP & UDP 1433, 14

Answer 1

The active firewall on the server might be causing this. You can try to (temporarily) turn it off and see if it resolves the issue.

If it is indeed caused by the firewall, you should allegedly be able to resolve it by adding an inbound rule for TCP port 1433 set to allowed, but I personally haven't been able to connect this way.