SQL 2005 Standard Won't Accept Connections - All Common/FAQ Remedies Have No Effect

Hi,

SQL
Server 2005 isn't accepting any connection other than SQL Management
Studio from the local machine. However, even that's exhibiting strange
behavior (please see below for more details).

I've read
through all the common errors regarding enabling remote connections via
the SAC tool, making sure protocols are enabled, etc. This case seems
to be completely outside. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Elias


[1] Client side:
What
is the connection string in you app or DSN? N/A. Can't connect via any
remote method, including client Control Panel > ODBC > create
DSN, SQL Server Enterprise Manager, third party application.
If
client fails to connect, what is the client error messages? Several,
depending on method: "server does not exist or access denied", "error
has occurred... under default settings, SQL Server does not accept
remote connections", etc.
Is the client remote or local to the SQL server machine? Remote
Can you ping your server? YesCan
you telnet to your SQL Server? No. However, there's a functional
instance of SQL Server 2000 on the same domain which has no problems- telnet also fails to that instance, even locally from either machine using the 127.0.0.1 address. Telnet functions for other ports.
What
is your client database provider? N/A Or/And, what is your client
application? SQL Management Studio and others
Is your client computer in the same domain as the Server computer? Same domain
What protocol the client enabled? TCPIP when I attempted to create the DSN. Not sure what protocol SQL Management Studio uses.
Do
you have aliases configured that match the server name portion of your
connection string? NoDo you select force encryption on server and/or client? No


[2] Server side:

What is the MS SQL version? SQL Server 2005
What is the SKU of MS SQL? Standard
What
is the SQL Server Protocol enabled? [Shared Memory | TCPIP | Named
Pipes ] Have tried all three individually and together. Configuration Manager exhibits strange behavior (see below)Does
the server start successfully? Server starts successfully when the
machine boots. However once it's stopped, it can't be restarted (see
below)
If SQL Server is a named instance, is the SQL browser enabled? Default instance
What is the account that the SQL Server is running under? Local SystemDo
you make firewall exception for your SQL server TCP port if you want
connect remotely through TCP provider? Not sure, but SQL Server 200 instance is working OK
Do
you make firewall exception for SQL Browser UDP port 1434? Unknown


[3] Platform:
What is the OS version? Client: Windows XPSP2 Server: Windows Server 2003
Do you have third party antivirus, anti-spareware software installed? Client: Trend Micro Server: UnknownOther behavior:

A separate instance of SQL Server 2000 on a different machine on the same domain is functioning without problems.

Telnet
to either SQL Server (functional 2000 or problem 2005) on port 1433 is
not possible - even when attempted from the local machine using
127.0.0.1! Telnet to both machines works using other ports.

When
creating a DSN from a client machine, problem 2005 instance is in list
of available SQL Servers, however connection fails ("SQL Server denied
access or does not exist").

MSSQLSERVER service starts
automatically on boot. However, once stopped the service can not be
restarted. Message given: "SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service on Local
Computer Started and then Stopped. Some services stop automatically if
they have no work to do, for example, the Performance Logs and Alerts
Service."

SQL
Server Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections tool
does not display Database Engine option as indicated by this MS guide
to enabling remote connections:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;914277

SQL
Server communication manager shows TCP, Shared memory, named pipes
enabled. However event log seems to show instance not listening via any
protocol. Message displayed as: "SQL Server listening on ." (should
read: "Server is listening on ['any' <ipaddress> <ipv4>
<Port Number>])

Several answers indicated uninstall and reinstall could solve these problems. However, wizard refused to uninstall SQL Server.

Attempted disabling Shared Memory as documentation indicates this protocol gets used first. No luck.

Access through SQL Server Management Studio works, from local machine only.

Able to ping machine by name and IP.