SQL Server: Cannot connect to < server name >

Imagine this: you just finished installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and when you then try to connect to the database you get the following error:

Here are some things that might be causing the problem or that could help you spot the problem (read: I read half the internet and tried all these tips and more to come to the conclusion that I was using the wrong information to log on...), so I figure, this could be useful!


Go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 >
Configuration Tools > Sql Server Configuration Manager

1. Check and double-check the information you are using to connect to the server, use (local) or the name of your pc as server name!!!
   
2. Go to SQL Server Services and make sure all services that have the name of your server within brackets in their name are running.
   
3. Go to SQL Server Network Configuration and take a look at the protocols for your server. Make sure that the protocols Named Pipes and TCP/IP are enabled.
   
4. Make sure the SQL TCP/IP port (1433) is allowed through the Firewall.
   
5. Make sure Remote Connections are allowed if you are trying to connect over Remote Desktop. Do this in the database properties under the connections tab (if not, logon locally, change the setting and try again).

Hope this helped, if you know more options, feel free to comment!

Could be useful, right?