title: SQL Server 2008 R2 - User Connections
body: <p>I have an instance of SQL Server 2008 R2 installed on my machine.  When performing any action that requires a connection, I can connect to the server but get an error during login.</p>
  
  <h1>Error Message</h1>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Title: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio<br/>
    ..............................<br/>
    Failed to connect to server ASUS. (Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo)<br/>
    ..............................<br/>
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:<br/>
    A connection was successfully established with the server, but then an error occurred during the login process. (provider: Shared Memory Provider, error: 0 - No process is on the other end of the pipe.) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 233)<br/><br/>
    For help, click: <a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&amp;EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&amp;EvtID=233&amp;LinkId=20476" rel="nofollow">http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&amp;EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&amp;EvtID=233&amp;LinkId=20476</a></p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I discovered the reason for this error by following advice found <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8075784/error-message-provider-shared-memory-provider-error-0-no-process-is-on-th/9007978#9007978?newreg=4966c4d3270a4fadb8a8dcc2e090d288">here</a>. It wasn't the accepted answer, but instead, it was the answer regarding the error log.</p>
  
  <h1>Error Log</h1>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>2015-01-17 13:05:31.06 Logon       Error: 17809, Severity: 20, State: 3.<br/>
    2015-01-17 13:05:31.06 Logon       Could not connect because the maximum number of '2' user connections has already been reached. The system administrator can use sp_configure to increase the maximum value. The connection has been closed. [CLIENT: &lt;local machine&gt;]<br/></p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>It revealed that max user connections is set to 2.  The resolution given is to execute sp_configure to change that value.  Unfortunately for me, it doesn't explain how to accomplish that if you are the admin and only user of the system. </p>
  
  <p>I tried and failed to locate an article that explained this process without the assumption that you had access to the server (dispite the error).  Since none of the connections belonged to the admin/me, I could not perform this action.  I needed to figure out how to release the existing connections.</p>