SQL Server error 40

Hi,

I'm using VB through Visual Studio team developer edition.

In the server explorer when I try to add a new data source I get this message.

"Could not open connection to SQL Server, Error:40 Provider: Named pipes

provider" Through the surface area configuration I have tried every type of connection

parameter possible. I am using a standalone system but yet I tried using tcp/ip and

named pipes connection. Allowed both types of connections (remote and local)

and still no avail. I've read some of the other threads and most people talk about remote

connections and I'm having a localhost problem that's why I reposted this question.

I'm new to VS 2005 and I'm following a book . The book wants me to create the new

data connection that's why I'm doing it. I can connect to a SQL database when I specifically point to the database but when I just try to open a connection to SQL

server (data source) by putting in the server name (localhost) and then putting in the database name (northwind) that's when I get the error. Thanks in advance....Ribeye