Summary
This Error Message Article explains the BACKTRACK error message “Unable to connect to the database: A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server….error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server…” and details how to fix the underlying problem that caused it to appear.
Explanation
There is a communication problem between client workstation (BACKTRACK) and SQL server the system where the data for BACKTRACK is stored. An incorrect configuration of database connectivity could be the cause.
A BACKTRACK client workstation is unable to connect to the database. In this case, ‘Shared Memory Provider, error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server’ indicated that the SQL instance was unable to be opened due to the SQL instance service being disabled.
Solution
The location for the license information can be found on the BACKTRACK server at c:\programdata\Teklynx\BACKTRACK\btwdata.ini .
- Confirm that SQL Server is online
- Confirm that the the SQL Server Network Configuration has Shared Memory, Named Pipes and TCP/IP Enabled.
- The firewall at SQL server is correctly set (using standard port)
- Confirm that the user has appropriate permission for the database
Additional Comments
Error message first appeared: Windows 8 running BACKTRACK 2012
