Connecting to external database

I need to connect to an external SQL hosted elsewhere

I supposedly have all the right connection parameters as from within the other host they can connect fine...

Have tried the host name with www. and with http://

Every time the same message: An error has occurred 0 could not connect to MySQL

We are pulling our hair on both sides of the Atlantic...

Any suggestions welcome...

Sorry for the late reply - I had to ask the guys across the pond:

This database you are trying to connect to is of what type? SQL
Is it on the same computer as the web server? YES
Is this database server set to allow connections and access from outside? YES

You could also try raw IP… Tried it ... no dice

Nothing seems to work - always the same message.... really frustrating... anything else to try??

Hi again,

Still banging heads against brick walls...

Maybe we misinterpreted one of your questions.

I'm running JX from Finland, in a Cloud Access hosted Joomla site.

We need to access a MySQL hosted by Hostgator. The Hostgator account is managed by my colleague in the US and his computer has both the webserver and the SQL.

I have tried all sorts of variations and not getting anywhere.
I'm guessing that for me to specify localhost doesn't make sense because we still need to tell JX where to find the DB.

Sorry if I appear dim but this is just not working when we follow the instructions. It has to be something simple.