Unable to connect to SQL server 2008 R2 via Instance name?

Question

I don\'t understand :

I\'ve installed sql server 2008 R2. the installation process asked me for the desired instance name , so I wrote: MSSQLSERVER.

Answer 1

You are trying to connect to default instance of SQL Server. And for that you don't connect to instance using instance name but rather server name.

So for example if your machine name is DBServer and you are using default instance MSSQLSERVER, then you can simply connect to that instance either by specifying server name DBServer or (local) or . (just a dot)