FreeTDS Development Group

["James K. Lowden" <jklowden AT freetds.org>]

Bruce Reeves wrote:
> 
> # tsql -S server -U sa
> locale is "en_US.UTF-8"
> locale charset is "UTF-8"
> Password:
> There was a problem connecting to the server

You might want to have another look at the Troubleshooting section of the
User Guide.  Personally, I'd try:

        $ TDSDUMP=stderr tsq -S server -U sa

and see what it says.  Maybe it's not connecting to the server you intend?
 

HTH.  

--jkl