Unable to determine whether the database exists

[NikhilGupta]

Hi Chris,

I have downloaded as per the product guide and doing setup for the trial/learning version however Facing the same issue again and again. Already referred to your suggestions posted on other threads, --> uninstallation and installation, again and again, removed all app data, etc, still unable to get rid of this issue.

Issue--> Unable to determine whether the database exists - 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.

Please help 

Thanks 
Nikhil Gupta

[steven.boggs]

Hi Nikhil,

This issue can happen for any of the following reasons:

1. The SQL Server Browser service is not running.
2. The SQL Server configuration on the server hosting the database does not have Named Pipes and/or TCP/IP protocols enabled.
3. The SQL Server service is not currently running.
4. The name of the server and/or instance is not correct.
5. The database server hosting the database cannot be communicated with via the network.

We offer some troubleshooting tips and verification steps for each of these reasons in our Knowledge Base article, "Why does 'Test Connection' button produce the error "Unable to determine whether database exists - a network-related or instance-specific error occurred"?".

[EVIPUTI]

This could also be an issue with the permissions to the SQL database.  Make sure the account you are connecting with has the appropriate rights.