SQL Server 2008 R2 connection on a VmWare Instance

Question

Here is the scenario I am facing.

1. I have installed Windows 7 Professional on a VMWare.
2. Installed SQL Server 2008 R2.

When I launch the Server Management Studio and try to connect to the instance I get the following error

"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: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 53)"

Now, I installed all the packages of SQL server with default settings. The only change that I had done is selected a mix-mode for authentication.

I setup a similar instance on a desktop and it works fine. Before posting it here I have searched on the web and made sure all the services, ports and protocols are enabled/running.

But I still cannot seem to connect, any help?

Answer 1

Ok, so finally found the solution the above mentioned problem. Not sure why, but when I give the instance name pre-appended with .\ it works fine.

.\<INSTANCENAME>

Answer 2

You may not have a default instance installed?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143531.aspx