JDBC ms sql server driver issue

I'm trying to connect to a sqlserver 2000 database. The database is on my microsoft network and I can correctly ping the machine by typing:

ping databasename

I'd like to connect to the database through microsoft's jdbc drivers. I'm using the sql server 2000 service pack drivers which can be found here.
These are the relevant lines of code:

I get this error back:

java.sql.SQLException: No suitable driver

I know that the classpath is setup correctly, because when run with verbose output enabled I can see the classes from the microsoft jars being loaded:

[Loaded com.microsoft.jdbc.base.BaseDriver]
[Loaded com.microsoft.jdbc.sqlserver.SQLServerDriver]
[Loaded com.microsoft.jdbc.extensions.ExtEmbeddedConnection]
[Loaded com.microsoft.jdbc.base.BaseConnection]
[Loaded com.microsoft.jdbc.sqlserver.SQLServerConnection]
etc.

I've tried various url's, both pointing at a local database and at remote databases. Because of this I don't think it's a network issue. I've also tried adding a default database option to the url.
I've tried compiling and running with jre 1.3.1 and jre 1.4.2, but I still get the error.
I'm stuck and confused, am I missing something obvious? I would greatly appreciate any help.
Thanks.

you may try
String url = "jdbc:microsoft:sqlserver://systemname:1433/databasename;"
--- add a ":" and "databasename "

Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried that:

I've also tried adding a default database option to the url.

It was probably pretty easy to miss because of the length of the original post.

It definitely looks like a problem with the database URL.
Are you sure it should have the semi-colon on the end?
Checking the FAQ, the suggested syntax is jdbc:Microsoft:sqlserver://my-virtualserver:1433;DatabaseName=Pubs
I'd try adding the database name in the form above, or leave off everything after (and including) the semicolon.