I just did a fresh install of the DS because I was getting this message before when trying to open express.exe or the Deployment Console.  "There are no Database management Services registered.  Please make sure the Deployment Server Database Management Service is running."  Before doing a fresh install I was at least able to use the web console.  So I tried uninstalling everything, and then reinstalling what I needed using the custom install.  Previously I did not care if express.exe worked, but then it was decided to use this server as a backup for our main DS server (I was in the process of migrating clients to the other DS which is why the web console was all I needed). 

Now nothing works.  I am using a DS 6.9 SP1 install and an external SQL server.  As far as I know I am setting everything up correctly, pointing it to the correct server, using the correct username/pw during setup and what not... Services are all running without problems as far as I can tell.  I am running out of ideas, and I hate calling support because I tend to spend 4+ hours working on DS problems.  Any ideas are much appriciated.