connecting to shared database

[Blake]

have a local network, 4 computers total, computer 1 has the BCM database.
Had to reinstall BCM program with help of Microsoft tech on computer 1. When
I try to reconnect other computers to the shared database they will not.
This was after dropping the offline database on the other boxes. Tech told
me it is due to having Vista Home Premium on computer 1, that it must be a
business version of Vista. Problem is for a 1.5 years everything set up and
worked fine as it is currently configured using Vista Home Premium on
computer 1. Keep thinking there must be another explanation. Any ideas will
be greatly appreciated.

 

[Luther Blissett]

have a local network, 4 computers total, computer 1 has the BCM database. 
Had to reinstall BCM program with help of Microsoft tech on computer 1.  When
I try to reconnect other computers to the shared database they will not.  
This was after dropping the offline database on the other boxes.  Tech told
me it is due to having Vista Home Premium on computer 1, that it must be a
business version of Vista.  Problem is for a 1.5 years everything set up and
worked fine as it is currently configured using Vista Home Premium on
computer 1.  Keep thinking there must be another explanation.  Any ideas will
be greatly appreciated.

I have heard of the Home vs Pro issue with Xp, but I thought Vista did
away with that limitation that Home Windows could not act as a server
machine.

A typical issue with Home Windows is that it is configured by default
to consider all incoming connections as user guest. That makes it
easier to connect to shares and printers, but isn't secure enough for
business applications. I think this feature is called "Simple File
Sharing" and needs to be turned off.

There's more info here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA101470761033.aspx

Can the other machines connect to the database on the server without
using BCM; e.g. using sqlcmd or sql mgmt studio?