Error [DBNETLIB] SQL Server does not exist or access denied

The error means that the client side of Torgsoft cannot establish a network connection to the Microsoft SQL Server database server.
Most often, this happens because services are stopped, ports are blocked, or network settings are configured incorrectly.

When you need to check the connection to SQL Server

• When launching Torgsoft on the client computer.

• After restarting the server PC.

• After updating Windows, the antivirus, or changing network settings.

Signs of the problem

• A message with the text:
  [DBNETLIB] SQL Server does not exist or access denied

• The program does not open beyond the startup window.

• ping to the server works, but the connection to the database is not established.

Possible causes

1. SQL Server services are stopped on the main PC.

2. Network protocols TCP/IP or Named Pipes are disabled.

3. Ports are blocked by Windows Firewall or antivirus software.

4. Incorrect server in the client configuration files.

5. Emergency state of the database (Suspect, Recovery Pending).

What to do

Step 1. Check SQL Server services

On the server computer:

1. Press Win + R → enter services.msc.

2. Make sure that the SQL Server service (instance name) has the status Running.

3. Check the SQL Server Browser service:

•   status: Running

•   startup type: Automatic

If the service is stopped, start it.

Step 2. Enable network protocols

1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.

2. Go to
   SQL Server Network Configuration → Protocols for <instance>.

3. Make sure that:

•    TCP/IP — Enabled

•    Named Pipes — Enabled

4. After making changes, restart the SQL Server service.

Step 3. Open ports in the firewall

On the server, create rules for inbound and outbound connections:

• TCP 1433 — SQL Server (standard port)

• UDP 1434 — SQL Server Browser

• TCP 6001 — Torgsoft Application Server

• TCP <SQL instance port> — static port for a Named Instance (set it in the instance settings and open it in the firewall)

If a dynamic SQL port is used, determine it in

TCP/IP → IP Addresses → IPAll, set this port as static, and open it in Windows Firewall.

Step 4. Check client settings

On the client PC:

1. Open the ADConnectionDefs.ini file.

Check the parameter:
Server=SERVER_IP_ADDRESS

2. or the correct network name of the PC.

3. Check the AdminServer.ini file — the server name must match.

Step 5. Check the database status

If the connection exists, but access is denied:

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio.

2. Check the database status:

•    Suspect

•    Recovery Pending

In this case, the database must be restored or brought out of the emergency state.

How to check the result

• Launch Torgsoft on the client PC.

• The program opens the login window without the DBNETLIB error.

• The user can work with the database.

How to avoid the problem

• Use a static IP address for the server PC.

• Disable sleep mode and hibernation on the server.

• Add the Torgsoft directory and sqlservr.exe to antivirus exclusions.

• Periodically check the status of SQL Server services.

Summary

• Error on all clients → check the server (services, ports, network connection between computers).

• Error on one PC → check the ini files and the local antivirus.