title: Entity Framework Code First Error "Error Locating Server/Instance Specified"
body: <p>I'm trying to use Code First with my local instance of Sql Server 2008 R2. I've create a user 'dev' and can log in and create databases using Sql Managment Studio. The problem is I keep getting an error message when trying to create a database using DbContext in EntityFramework. Here is the error message: </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>"A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while
    establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or
    was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that
    SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified"</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>The error message I checked my Sql Server and it does allow remote connections.</p>
  
  <p>I've abstracted my system with the following code and get the same error:</p>
  
  <pre><code>namespace CodeFirstConsole
  {
      public class Program
      {
          static void Main(string[] args)
          {
              var db = new MyContext();
              try { Console.WriteLine(db.Parents.Count()); }
              catch (Exception) { throw; }
              Console.Read();
          }
      }
  
      internal class MyContext : DbContext
      {
          public DbSet&lt;ParentObject&gt; Parents { get; set; }
          public DbSet&lt;ChildObject&gt; Children { get; set; }
  
          public MyContext()
          {
              this.Database.Connection.ConnectionString =
                  "Data Source=.;Database=ConsoleTest;Initial Catalog=ConsoleTest;User ID=dev;Password=dev;";
          }
      }
  
      internal class ParentObject
      {
          public int Id { get; set; }
          public string PropertyOne { get; set; }
      }
  
      internal class ChildObject
      {
          public int Id { get; set; }
          public bool PropertyOne { get; set; }
          public string PropertyTwo { get; set; }
  
          public virtual ParentObject Parent { get; set; }
      }
  
      internal class MyInitializer : DropCreateDatabaseAlways&lt;MyContext&gt;
      {
  
          protected override void Seed(MyContext context)
          {
              context.Parents.Add(new ParentObject() { PropertyOne = "hi" });
              base.Seed(context);
          }
      }
  }
  </code></pre>