>The SQL server is installed on my MS Server 2008 (SRV-1),
>
>In SQL Server Configuration Manager
>
>SQL Server Browser & Server Agent (MSSQLSERVER) are not running?
>
>Do these need to be running for the ODBC connection to work?
>
> I've turned these on & now a new option comes up in the choices for which server I want to connect to,
>
>(local)
>
>I've selected this & now the test connection button works, so I'm presuming 2 lessons:
>
>1) Either SQL Server Agent or SQL Server Browser Services need to be running
>
>2) When the SQL server is installed on the same server as the one you're setting up ODBC driver, the server name is local
>
>Next stage is to connect from my laptop using VFP 9.....
>
>
>>Where SQL Server located?
>>
>>>
>>>I'm trying to set up a connection to a database in my SQL 2008, I've read that stage 1 is to create an ODBC connection
>>>
>>>So if I have this right I create a SQL ODBC Driver on the server.
>>>
>>>I go into Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Data Sources (ODBC)--.> Add System DSN
>>>
>>>SQL Server
>>>
>>>Which SQL Server do you want to connect to? Server:
>>>MSSQLServer
>>>
>>>or with the domain its hosted on:
>>>\\bungle\mssqlserver
>>>
>>>I'm using Windows Authentication
>>>
>>>Testing the connection always Fails!
>>>
>>>Specified SQL Server not found?
>>>
>>>HELP!!!!

In sort (very short :o)))

SQL Server Browser service should be enabled if you have many instances of the SQL Server. If you have only default you may or may not run this service.
SQL Agent is for running Maintenance plans, so if you don't have Maintenance plans defined (but you should have) you may not run this service.