Our sharepoint server suddenly can't connect to its database and I can't make any sense of it. Articles I've read say to first make sure the SQL Server is up and running. There's a SQL folder in Program Files but no SQL service in Services. Maybe it's using some other database so I run the sharepoint central administration. "Cannot connect to the configuration database." Ok so I run the configuration wizard... "Failed to detect if this server is a member of a server farm..." I'm not sure what to do from here since I can't even verify what database its using. Any ideas on where I start? Thanks!

its tell me that your SQL server service is not running. Do you know how much server in the farm and which one is your database server. 1st identify which one is DB server then go on that server and check if SQL server is up and running. I belive you will also get something in the event viewer and atleast the name of the DB server. hope this works thanks -wsSharePoint administrator, MCTS,MCITP

This is part of my problem. I can't identify which SQL database its using. Here's what event viewer says: Unknown SQL Exception 2 occured. Additional error information from SQL Server is included below. 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) Doesn't tell me what database it's failing on. How can I find out what database Sharepoint is using? Thanks!

do you know how many server in your farm? also check the ULS logs atleast, i Believe, it has something saying about the connection string in which you can see the Db Server name. and could you please copy the whole error message from the event viewer using the copy option? thanks -ws SharePoint administrator, MCTS,MCITP

Event Type: Error Event Source: Windows SharePoint Services 3 Event Category: Database Event ID: 5586 Date: 10/7/2010 Time: 2:00:10 PM User: N/A Computer: INTRANET Description: Unknown SQL Exception 2 occured. Additional error information from SQL Server is included below. 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) For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. Here's the whole cut and paste from event viewer. I have no idea how many farms there are in the configuration. It's a small, single server with not a lot of content. And, what's a ULS log? Google tells me they're in Program Files/Microsoft Shared... but I don't have a "Microsoft Shared". Thanks!

I found them. Here's one entry including the connection string: ConnectionString: 'Data Source=np:\\.\pipe\MSSQL$Microsoft##SSEE\sql\query;Initial Catalog=SharePoint_Config_589379e3-1b4d-40fb-bceb-68bbf4f8f7eb;Integrated Security=True;Enlist=False' ConnectionState: Closed ConnectionTimeout: 15 This still doesn't tell me the server name though.

You are using SQL Express. Server name is SharePoint server name. Oleg

Ok, thanks, I'm using Express. Now what? There's nothing in the start menu for SQL Express, nothing in Installed Programs... Where do I find the SQL Server installation and if it's not on this server, how can I tell which server it's on? Thanks!

Install Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c243a5ae-4bd1-4e3d-94b8-5a0f62bf7796Oleg

I went through UAC ____ trying to install that thing. Anywa, I finally did and of course, I can't connect to the database because it's down. It's actually a Microsft Internal database. But in the end it turns out they don't use the site hardly at all anyway so we decided to abandon it. Thanks a lot for your replies though.

Same problem here, after a Motherboard fault I changed it with another one (same chipset), I did the SBS2003 repair procedure, all is gone well but I cant' connect to sharepoint 3. The error is Cannot connect to the configuration database, th onfig database is SHAREPOINT/microsoft##SSEE, the sites database is SHAREPOINT/databasename, I can connect to the site database with Studio Design 2005, but I can't connect to the ##SSEE database, that is not running. I tryed to repair the sharepoint 3, but the procedure stops itself at half way with no error (message: cannot end the job)? I have the database files and a 2 months old backup, I really need my words files stored into sharepoint. thanks

Same problem here, after a Motherboard fault I changed it with another one (same chipset), I did the SBS2003 repair procedure, all is gone well but I cant' connect to sharepoint 3. The error is Cannot connect to the configuration database, th onfig database is SHAREPOINT/microsoft##SSEE, the sites abse is SHAREPOINT/databasename, I can connect to the site database with Studio Design 2005, but I can't connect to the ##SSEE database, that is not running. Any Tips? I have the database file and a 2 months old backup, I really need my words files stored into shrepoint. thanks