SQL Server Management Studio

[DGrund]

When I start the program, it asks me for a server. That is the only thing, I think, that is keeping me from starting the program.

What in the world are they referring to when they say "server"? I am running it on my little old desktop.

Server type: Database Engine

I specified dave-dt-i7\sqlexpress, and some other things, but every time, I get the same error:

Cannot connect to dave-dt-i7\sqlexpress.

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: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -1)

I don't even know what that means.

Can anyone help a newbie out? I would even be okay with "try this", because I am completely stumped.
Thanks!

[danp129]

To use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) you should first install SQL Server 20xx Developer or SQL Server 20xx Express. Do you have either installed in Add/Remove programs?

If not, I'd recommend watching this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr1AViAda3k

You may also consider using LocalDB like shown in the video below, but I always install SQL Server Express or Developer. There's a good chance you already have SQL Server Express LocalDB already installed from Visual Studio Installer when you installed Visual Studio:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5DhHYQlnq8

You can download SQL Server Express or Developer from here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads