Problems Connecting To Local SQL Server [HELP!]

Hi all,

I have the developer edition of Visual Studio 2005. After successfully installing it in my local machine, I wanted to create a small application which connects to a database. I accessed the Server Explorer tool, right clicked on Data Connections and brought up the Create New SQL Server Database option.

The issue now is that I don't see a list of servers in the "Server Name" drop down box although in the Server Explorer itself, I have a server listed (your-c6b5e4eabc - The default computer name of my local machine).

I am given to believe that SQL server is unable to make a connection because I have not configured something which is essential.

I hope someone can point me as to how to make databases using SQL server and connect them to the application the way developers usually do. I'm a complete novice to VS 2005, and the SQL server configuration options have got me confused.

I'm not sure if this will help, but I'll include this here anyway :

When I tried copying and pasting the server name (your-c6b5e4eabc) into the "Server Name" drop down box and creating a database by entering a name in the "Enter database name" textbox, I get the following error message -

An error occured while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings, SQL server does not allow remote connections. provider : Named Pipes Provider error : 40 Error : Could not open a connection to SQL Server.

I'm running Windows XP Media Center Edition v2002 SP 2.

I just want to be able to create and work with databases from within the applications I create in Visual Studio 2005. I played around with the configuration options (like enabling some protocols, the SQL server browser etc., but to no avail.) Is there a way to revert back to the default settings in an easy way? Thanks in advance for all your guidance...