1.Make sure SQL Server Service is running
2.If a named instance, make sure SQL Server browser service is running
3.Make sure SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections
4.Examine the SQL Server error log for messages confirming that SQL is listening on the expected network interfaces and ports
5.Test server connectivity with PING from the client machine
6.Test port connectivity using TELNET or PowerShell to the server and port (from step 4) from the client machine. For example
a.TELNET <server-name> 1433
b.PowerShell: 1433 | % { echo ((new-object Net.Sockets.TcpClient).Connect("YourServerName",$_)) "server listening on TCP port $_" }
7.Check firewall settings if step 5 or 6 connectivity test fails
Best Regards,Uri Dimant SQL Server MVP,http://sqlblog.com/blogs/uri_dimant/
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