Problems connecting to MSSQL DB.

I have patched to mssql_install_driver_merged_5_3 and I reach install.php but, I keep getting an error trying to connect to the database. Am I missing something? Can someone point me int he right direction.
I'm using
Apache 2.2
MSSQL express
PHP 5.2.3

On the install page I plug in the following
database = drupal
user = imryr
password= something after i get a failed login in my event viewer

host = localhost
= 127.0.0.1
= ELRIC\SQLEXPRESS
= ELRIC
= SQLEXPRESS
= .\SQLEXPRESS
= 192.168.1.144
= etc...
port = null or 1433 tried both

I receive this error each time:

Warning: mssql_connect() [function.mssql-connect]: Unable to connect to server: ELRIC\SQLEXPRESS in C:\wamp\www\includes\install.mssql.inc on line 42

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\wamp\www\includes\install.mssql.inc:42) in C:\wamp\www\includes\common.inc on line 141

lines 41-46 is this

// Test connecting to the database.
$connection = mssql_connect($url['host'], $url['user'], $url['pass']);
if (!$connection) {
drupal_set_message(st('Failure to connect to your MS SQL database server. MS SQL reports the following message: %error.

• Are you sure you have the correct username and password?
• Are you sure that you have typed the correct database hostname?
• Are you sure that the database server is running?

For more help, see the Installation and upgrading handbook. If you are unsure what these terms mean you should probably contact your hosting provider.', array('%error' => $php_errormsg)), 'error');
return FALSE;
}

thanks