Hi, After some search around, trying to get my SQL Management studio (running on Vista) to connect to a remote SQL server instance, i finally nailed it. Your management studio will refuse to connect onto the remote instances of SQL sever... One of the easiest way around this is to disable your firewall and then connect usually. Well...this isint really a very good idea, and will drive you nuts atleast 2-5 times a day. To overcome this one, Go to windows firewall -> change settings -> Exceptions Tab Click on "Add Port" and add any name (I put in SQLPort) and keep the port number as 1433 (if you have not changed the port number) - > and hit ok Now click "Add Program" and add sql management studio to the list. Once thats done you should have absolutely no problems connecting in and out without having to toggle the firewall.