Adam,
Again, sorry for your issues. I am not sure if you will be able to simply upgrade to 2008 Express or not. It all depends on the program. AC is designed to install and make a default instance to SQL. I have tried running a different SQL and not installing SQL from AC and making an instance. It didn't seem to work. Of course, I am not guru either. Not even close.
I guess my point is whenever these issues crop up, many on here just assume it is AC or SQL. Granted, the problem is you and they are losing connectivity, but there are so many variables.
It is difficult, I am sure, for AC support to know all of the different variations of networking out there.
I have two SQL gurus I use who kindly help with free emails, but charge me around $75.00 per hour otherwise. They are very good. They did try on here, but I am not sure where that went. I just know I got in the middle too much and muddled things up.
Probably the best way to go would be to go to experts-exchange.com and post your question. Put it under the SQL section and the networking section and see if they can help. If you go that route, I will steer my two friends to your question. You get six trial days. I pay for mine. Given it is a trial you can't offer as many points (I know, crazy, but that's computer geeks for you), so you may get less bites, but I can get my friends there for very few points.
The thing about Experts Exchange is you can ask a question and get four experts who hang in there with you for three days, or you can get one who gives up after two posts. But, you are guaranteed to get a better and quicker response there than on most any other computer help boards, and it is set up far better than any other. If you got a couple of experts to try to solve the problem with you, there is a good chance they may be able to.
