Find the Instance Name

• ChiragNS

  One Orange Chip

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  February 13, 2007 at 10:48 pm

  #194243

  Hi there

  I want to find out the sql server instance name and I cannot connect to sql server for doing this. I have access only to the C drive where sql is installed. Can i lookup any file in the sql server folder or any where else for finding out the instance name?

  Thanks

  "Keep Trying"

• Duncan Pryde

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  February 14, 2007 at 3:27 am

  #689653

  Hi

  You can find the instance name from the registry if you have access to that, at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\Instance Names\SQL. It may also be possible to find it in one of the log files created when it was installed (%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Files).

  But...

  Wouldn't it just be easier to ask the person who installed it? I'm intrigued...

  Regards,

  Duncan

• colin.Leversuch-Roberts

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  February 14, 2007 at 4:28 am

  #689660

  you should be able to browse and find a list of the server/instance names. SQLPing will also do the same job. Well documented then, hope this isn't a production system?

  [font="Comic Sans MS"]The GrumpyOldDBA[/font]
  www.grumpyolddba.co.uk
  http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/grumpyolddba/

• ChiragNS

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  February 14, 2007 at 10:24 pm

  #689871

  Hi

  Thanks Duncan & Colin.

  Duncan -

  I want this information for connecting and restoreing a db at a clients place remotely and person who has installed it has already left the place.

  Colin -

  i will look into sql ping and this is a production system

  "Keep Trying"

• colin.Leversuch-Roberts

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  February 15, 2007 at 3:58 am

  #689894

  you should also be able to see the instance name in the services, my 2005 instance service shows with instance name in brackets, so i could register by ip\instancename - I only have the one sql2005 instance so have no others I can compare against.

  [font="Comic Sans MS"]The GrumpyOldDBA[/font]
  www.grumpyolddba.co.uk
  http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/grumpyolddba/

• Rudyx - the Doctor

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  February 15, 2007 at 9:19 am

  #690002

  SQL Server errorlog(s) anyone ?

  RegardsRudy KomacsarSenior Database Administrator"Ave Caesar! - Morituri te salutamus."

• Duncan Pryde

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  February 16, 2007 at 2:21 am

  #690137

  Hi

  How did you get on? I finally found the instance name for my machine in that setup files folder I mentioned. It's in the one ending in SQL.log (quite a large one). I just searched for "instance name" and there it was.

  Hope you get this sorted.

  Regards,

  Duncan

• ChiragNS

  One Orange Chip

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  February 25, 2007 at 9:15 pm

  #691648

  hi

  i got it the same way...in the setup files folder and also registry.

  regards

  chirag

  "Keep Trying"