Update: I've got the SQLSTRINGCONNECT to work so I'll be going with that

Hi Eric (and everyone else),

it's not the firewall, I have that configured. I am able to connect like this:

1. Create a File ODBC DSN and save it as GFLClaims.

2. In Excel import data using that DSN and I get back the data I expect.

If I try this program, I don't connect:

lnHandle = SQLCONNECT("GFLClaims")
IF m.lnHandle < 0
	MESSAGEBOX("Using GFBLClaims ODBC did not work")
ELSE
	MESSAGEBOX("Using GFBLClaims ODBC worked")
ENDIF

I am really stumped here!

>Can it be the firewall? Check http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc646023.aspx (and be sure to read the section titled "To add a program exception to the firewall using the Windows Firewall item in Control Panel")
>
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I've installed SQL Express 2008 R2 on a server and created a named instance: SQLExpress.
>>
>>In trying to connect to this server from PCs on the network I get this error during setting up an ODBC connection:
>>
>>Connection failed:
>>SQLState: '01000'
>>SQL Server Error: 11004
>>[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][TCP/IP Sockets]ConnectionOpen (Connect())
>>Connection failed:
>>SQLState: '08001'
>>SQL Server Error: 6
>>[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][TCP/IP Sockets]Specified SQL server not found
>>
>>I have:
>>
>>1. ensured that ports 1433 and 1434 are open in the firewall on the server
>>
>>2. Ensured the SQL Browser service is running
>>
>>3. Double checked the name of the server (GFSL01\SQLExpress) by looking in SSMS
>>
>>4. Ensured that remote connections are allowed by looking at the Server Properties in SSMS
>>
>>What else could I be missing?