Getting Started with SQL Server?

A friend installed SQL server on my development PC running Windows Server 2003 so I could play around with .Net and SQL databases. After 12 months I've now decided to give it a go but I can't, for the life of me, work out how to get Microsoft SQL server up and running.

I've had limited exposure to SQL database via Enterprise manage that extends to nothing more than adding/viewing data in tables.

When in SQL Enterprise manager all I can see is 'SQL Server Group' and I've tried to 'register' a new group and 'new server group'. Basically I have no idea what I'm doing because I've never actually developed anything in SQL - only looked at existing databases. I keep getting a connection error. I've also tried setting up 'local' as a group.

Can anyone point me in the right direct to get started? I've been to MSDN but it didn't help. I'm not sure if my SQL setup is slightly different to the 'norm' or I'm looking at the wrong info? I'm sure there are some good habits and naming conventions that I should start using.

I've also tried changing my Windows user permissions so I have full administration access.

Are you trying to access the SQL Server instance on your developement PC or did you install SQL Server on a different machine?

If nothing is showing up in the Server Groups of Enterprise Manager then you don't have any Servers registered. Make sure that the SQL Server service is started and that if it on a different machine from the one running Enterprise Manager, make sure there is a valid network connection and that you have appropriate Domain Privaliges. Right click the default Server Groups and select "New SQL Server Registration." Type in the name of the SQL Server Instance you are trying to connect to and fill in the rest of the information appropriately.

Don't bother with MSDN. Try SQLBOL: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techin.../2000/books.asp

hey girl,

ive been in ur position so, i nkw hw it feels. I try to help u out.

SQL Server has 2 type of installations. Server and CLient. Whtever the type, access Enterprise Manager(EM). THis is the starting point. If you got many SQL Servers on your network, it is grouped under various groups in EM. By default u have a SQL Server Group. Under it u may find various SQL Servers (different SQL Server 2000 installtions across the netowrk). Right click the SQL Server Group and select New SQL Server Registration. This wizard will automatically find SQL Sever installations on your netowrk and u can add (register) it to ur grp.

SImilarly u can create differnet groups. If your machine has SQL Server installed (as opposed to the client version), you can see a Server named Local. This is the Database (DB) on your computer. Other registered servers have the name of their machine on which it resides as default.

SQL Server has a sample DB called Northwind. U can find that under Databases under any existing SQL server (in any of the groups) if it has been installed. Play around with Northwind. Google Northwind tutorials and im sure u can find a lot to get u started..

I've found all this by meself, so smbdy correct me if im wrong. I dont like using technical jargon, so its in plain English (as mch as I cd..).
hope it helps!

Thanks ASP_man. That's clarified a couple of things.

Ok, since your message I've tried 'New SQL Server Registration'. From the 'select an SQL server' in the wizard I get the computer name 'ZION' and 'local' ('use windows authentication). I've tried registering both but each time I get the error message: Server does not exist or access denied'. Connection String().

I'm not sure if I'm suppose to start the SQL server or connect first? I've tried both. When I try and start I get this message:
An error 1060 - (The specified sevice does not exist as an installed service) occured while peforming this service operation on the MSSQLserver service.

I've added myself to just about all the user groups via the computer management console (power user, administrator, VS dev, etc, etc).

Where to from here?

OK, the ZION u see is another SQL DB In the screen 'Select a SQl Server', what you see is the list of available SQL servers to you.

Not sure why it happens. But yeah, the SQL Server u are trying to connect to MUST be started to accept connections. I assume that you are in the same domain. Why dont u try SQL authentication instead of Windows?

Make sure the security context of the user u log in to has privileges on the SQL server u are trying to connect.

I'm not a SQL Server guy, so I knw jst limited. My 2 cents. Maybe the pros have a better answer.

Thanks heaps for your help ASP_man but I now think the problem stems deeper. After hassling a friend (who's an SQL guru) he finally took a look at my PC and established that there is something wrong with my configuration. He suggested a re-install. Bugger... I don't have the original software because I'm currently on extended leave from work. I think I was buggering around with the system setup and may have inadvertently turned an essential component off. Who knows?

I'm predominately a designer, but I've just built a mini site content management system in ASP. It currently uses an Access database but I was hoping to convert to SQL. It will have to go on the 'to do' list.

Thanks again for your help! I really appreciate you trying - especially seen as no one else responded. I'm sure you'll be seeing my Q's again soon in the ASP section.

Cheers,
Penny.