I just installed Sql 2008 Express on a new server running Windows Server 2008. I know Sql is working properly, because I can connect to the db fine locally, on the server. I cannot connect to it from a client machine though, neither by IP address nor by machine name (iporname\instance).

I know I have the correct IP address, because I am RDCing into the server to perform all this configuration and setup, and if I ping the server name, it is resolving to the correct IP address as well.

On the server, I have set up an inbound firewall exception allowing all traffic on any port on any protocol to sqlservr.exe.

In SSMS, in server > Properties > Connections Allow remote connections to this server is enabled. In Sql Server Configuration Manager, TCP/IP is enabled in both the Protocols for <instance> and the Client Protocols sections.

I looked in the Windows logs, but don't see anything about connections being denied or dropped. As far as I can see, I have everything set right, but cannot connect from a client machine. The client CAN connect to other Sql 2008 Express servers okay, so I know the client configuration is correct.

Any ideas where else I can look for info of what/where/how this connection is dropping, greatly apprecaited!

The error being returned by the client is:

**TITLE: Connect to Server**

Cannot connect to [MY.IP.ADD.RSS]\[MYINSTNAME].

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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 SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. 
(provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)
(Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -1)