title: cannot connect to local sql instance
body: <p>I am trying to connect to my local sql server 2008 instance. I am using sql server management studio 2008 R2. logindetails: </p>
  
  <pre><code>servername: .\SQLEXPRESS
  authentication: Windows Authentication
  username:myuser
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Interesting detail maybe: when I look in the sql server configurationmanager, under sql server services , there is nothing?</p>
  
  <p>Error message:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>TITLE: Connect to Server</p>
    
    <p>Cannot connect to mymachinename\SQLEXPRESS.</p>
    
    <p>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:</p>
    
    <p>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) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -1)</p>
  </blockquote>