Troubleshooting

SQL Server Doesn't Exist or Access Denied

I have entered a SQL Server name and chose Windows authentication. Even though I know I have access to the SQL Server, it still tells me that the SQL Server doesn't exist or that access is denied.

If the SQL Server is on a machine other than the Windows SharePoint Services site, you might have to use SQL Server authentication as opposed to Windows authentication. This is because Windows authentication will only work when there is only one hop between the Web browser and the SQL Server. If the SQL Server is on a computer other than the Windows SharePoint Services computer and you are browsing from a third machine, there is one hop from the browser to the Web server and then another hop from the Web server to the SQL Server. Windows authentication is designed to fail in these circumstances.

Cannot Add New Announcements

I have the site all set up, but I don't have an Add New Announcement list on my Announcements Web Part.

In order to add content to a Windows SharePoint Services Web site, you must have sufficient rights. There are four groups in a Windows SharePoint Services Web site:

• Reader A Reader can browse the Web site, but cannot add any new content.

• Contributor A Contributor can add documents to Windows SharePoint Services document libraries and can add new entries to Windows SharePoint Services Lists.

• Web Designer A Web Designer can create Web Parts on the Windows SharePoint Services site and can also customize existing Web Parts and Web Part Pages.

• Administrator An Administrator can do anything on the site he wants, as well as manage users and site configuration settings.

If you don't have the ability to add new announcements, it is almost certainly because your level of access is Reader.

Web Part Menu Not Visible

I am trying to change the configuration of a Web Part, but the Web Part menu is not visible.

In order to customize a Web Part, you must be either a Web Designer or Administrator. If you are not, by default, you cannot change any page content.