trouble adding sde data

[FrankVignati]

on the add content i am trying to connect to an sde database but i get and error saying it can't connect to the server
any help appreciated

[FrankVignati]

nevermind:
Data Access Expansion Pack

[BrianLocke]

I had some serious issues too, I was able to remedy it,
1) get the Data Expansion Pack
2) get the Fonts Expansion Pack (your Here might as well)
3) go here and install the SQL 2008 Native Client
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=123717&clcid=0x409
this has been my fix for three machines so far, also keep in mind that permissions must be properly set and there are certain ways to connect depending on your flavor of SQL (Express would have the instance of sde:sqlexpress:[Server]/[instance])

if this does not work send me your settings that you are trying to connect with

[BrianLocke]

all that might not apply if your not using express, also look at "\" in your instance it needs to be "/"
that might help

[EdPoole]

Also, you might run into issues displaying data or crashing when connected.  We are experiencing data drawing errors usually followed by a crash shortly afterwards.  Just an FYI, we are using ArcExplorer 1500 and ArcSDE database running off SQL server 2008...  I have been discussing this with Tech Support...