Unable to log in to SSEE

Question

I'm about to add an website from another server.
The problem is that I'm no longer able to log on to the SSEE database. I loged on to it by using SQL 2005 Management Studio Express.
One time I probably chose wrong and loged on with SQL Server 2008 Managemnt Studio. I received a messagebox and probably answared wrong. I don't remember the question. 
I have tryed several solutions.
The errormessage I'm receiving now is 18452 Cannot connect to  \\.\pipe\MSSQL$Microsoft##ssee\sql\query
Login failed for user xxxx
I have tryed both with SA authentication and Windows Authentication and receive the same error with both.
It can be that I have confirmed that it shal not be possible to connect to the db with local mashine.

Is it possible to reset this in some way?

Thanks for any help with this problem.
Kristian

---

\kf\

Answer 1

Sorry, the SQL Error was 18456 and NOT 18452.

---

\kf\

Answer 2

The state of this 18456 error is important. However, you always receive this "Logon Error: 18456" error message that has a state set to 1 in the client application.

To increase security, the error message that is returned to the client deliberately hides the nature of the authentication error by always setting the state of the 18456 error to 1.

By default, auditing of failed logins is enabled. In this case, the true state of the 18456 error is reported in the SQL Server Error Log file

 

So see the error log file for the STATE of this error 18456 from the default path

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\LOG\ERRORLOG

 And the entry for this login failed error in the error log would be something like this

 

2009-10-08 11:14:18.440    Logon    Error: 18456, Severity: 14, State: 8.
2009-10-08 11:14:18.440    Logon    Login failed for user 'leks'. [CLIENT: ]

 

I have documented all the states with its cause and resolution in this article in my website

 

http://sql-articles.com/articles/troubleshooting/troubleshooting-login-failed-error-18456

---

Thanks, Leks

Answer 3

I had the same problem signing on to a default install of sharepoint wss.30 uses Sql express 5.0
Installed the express Sql Management studio locally and used Windows authentication. No go.
Resoved this problem by the instance name \\.\pipe\MSSQL$Microsoft##ssee\sql\query as the username with windows auth.

Zart

Answer 4

Sorry KristiF
Should be "Server Name" as the place to put \\.\pipe\MSSQL$Microsoft##ssee\sql\query.
Look in the errorlog file for the instance of SQl you are running if you changed the name of the default instance. Look for \\.\pipe string in the errolog file for your qualifier

Answer 5

i had the same problem on SBS208 premium. The problem was i had to run Management Studio as administrator

Answer 6

Thank you rimroot.

Didn't think of this. It worked without runing as Administrator at first, but suddenly I was unable to log in.

Your tip got me running again. I'm back in. :)

\kf\

Thanks to Lekss as well. Great article.

 

---

\kf\

Answer 7

Thanks for a great fill in for all the MS forgot.

 

really helpful and grateful

---

D-B-S

Answer 8

if you get a “Login failed” message when you try to connect?

Run as Administrator

You probably forgot to run SQL Server Management Studio Express as Administrator.

Regards

Bhupen

Answer 9

A "thanks" isn't enough, but thanks!

Answer 10

To make something permanently run as an administrator, right click on the program's shortcut, click on "Compatibility", then click on the "Run this program as administrator" checkbox at the bottom of the dialog box.  You won't have to remember to do this anymore; it will ask you automatically.

Answer 11

I had the same Problem, that the instance wasn´t available and i couldn´t connect to it.  In my case the "Named Pipes" Option was not activated and the wrong path stand in the sql management studio. 

Edit - SQL Serverprotocol

###############################

SQL Server Configuration Manager
SQL Server Network configuration

protocol for "Microsoft##SSEE"

Named Pipe "Activated"

instance Path

###############################

\\.\pipe\MSSQL$MICROSOFT##SSEE\sql\query