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I posted this in another forum but there doesn't seem to be much activity
there and I'm getting desperate for a solution.

For some unknown reason we just lost the connection to our local SQL server
(2000, all updates). One error message I received on a client was
"Connection failed, check sql server registration properties". I can't find
any usable info on this cryptic error message.

When trying to use Query Analyzer, I get this message:

Unable to connect to server alsql003:

Server: Msg 11, Level 16, State 1
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][TCP/IP Sockets]General network error.
Check your network documentation.


In Enterprise Manager I receive this:

A connection could not be established to ALSQL003.

Reason: General network error. Check your network documentation.
ConnectionOpen (PreLoginHandshake()).

Please verify SQL Server is running and check your SQL Server registration
properties (by right-clicking on the ALSQL003 node) and try again.



This isn't very helpful to me. Searching for info on the 'net has resulted
in a confusing collection of questions with few answers. Nothing I've
looked into has had any relevance or offered any solution.

Nothing was being done to the server around the time that this happened, and
it's never ocurred before to my knowledge. We are unable to connect at all,
and it has production shut down. The dba is on vacation and I don't have
his contact info at the moment. However, I have access to the server and
can make changes if necessary. One problem is that there are 2 other SQL
servers on this box and rebooting takes an act of God around here, so I hope
that isn't necessary.

Any ideas? I'm getting frantic! Thanks.

Randall Arnold