>>I think it's due to limitations with SQL Express that none of us understood.

Sorry to hear about your problems with SQL Server Express. My current install of SS Express is performing very smoothly (knock wood), and with no ODBC issues.

I had problems initially with installations of SQL Server 2005 released versions on machines where I had previously installed (and uninstalled) beta versions of SS 2005 and the CLR 2.0. Painful reinstalls of Windows helped immensely with the behavior of the new SQL Server installs. But, that is what I get for running beta software.

Regarding the issue of not seeing your instances in drop down lists, do you have the SQL Browser service enabled?

Best of luck.

Chris