Sql-server – SQL Server 2008 not showing the default instance name

sql serversql-server-2008

I am running following code to get all the versions of SQL Servers installed and the instances installed.

Dim sqldatasourceenumerator1 As SqlDataSourceEnumerator = SqlDataSourceEnumerator.Instance
datatable1 = sqldatasourceenumerator1.GetDataSources

The code works fine. I have both SQL Server 2005 Express and 2008 installed.

The instances it shows

Server Name:   Instance     Is Clustered  Version
SUPERCOMPUTER  SQLEXPRESS      No          9.00.3042.00
SUPERCOMPUTER  CBE             No          9.00.5000.00
SUPERCOMPUTER  SQL2008TEST     No         10.50.1600.1

I wonder why it does not show the default instance of SQL Server 2008, like it shows for 2005 (SQLEXPRESS)

Thanks

Best Answer

Make sure that:

  1. The instance you are looking for is actually installed (see SQL Server Configuration Manager > SQL Server Services)
  2. That the instance is started (same place)
  3. That the SQL Browser service is running (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services)
  4. That the port that SQL Server is running on isn't blocked via firewall or other means
  5. That the instance isn't set to be hidden (you can see this in SQL Server Configuration Manager > SQL Server Network Configuration > Right-click "Protocols for [name of your instance]"):

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