Issue
Trying to install SolidWorks, but is receiving error saying "Unable to Connect to the SQL server"
Environment
• Affiliation with Texas A&M (student, faculty, parent, applicant, etc): Student
• Location/Site/Building: n/a
• Application/Host/Website: SolidWorks
• Error Message (If applicable): Unable to connect to the SQL server
• Recent changes: n/a
Resolution
Went into the install settings and changed it so that it will create a new SQL instance and gave it a random name (In my case I called it TEW as that is what the sites I checked says its supposed to be by default). Once I made the change, it began installing immediately.
Cause
It turns out that a fresh new install of Solidworks includes Solidworks Electrical which by default normally uses an existing SQL, however new installs do not have a preexisting one so it stops the install there