Can't connect to server on sql server 2005

I Keep getting this message everytime I try to connect to sql server 2005 on
my laptop using Windows XP operating system. Also I'm missing most of my
configuration tools. I tried reinstalling, Changing firewall, and IIS, Still
not letting me connect. Here's the error message I keep recieving :

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a
connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible.
Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to
allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could
not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)

If there's anybody who can help I would appreciate it thank you.

And your Windows Update question would be...?

Jerry wrote:
> I Keep getting this message everytime I try to connect to sql server 2005
> on
> my laptop using Windows XP operating system. Also I'm missing most of my
> configuration tools. I tried reinstalling, Changing firewall, and IIS,
> Still
> not letting me connect. Here's the error message I keep recieving :
>
> A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a
> connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible.
> Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured
> to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 -
> Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error:
> 2)
>
> If there's anybody who can help I would appreciate it thank you.