does SQL serv Express connect to db out of the box?

Hi, I installed SQL server express 2012, can't remember quite what settings I chose but I did choose password authentication. Anyways, I tried to connect via password authentication and it did not work. So I uninstalled and reinstalled and checked local database when I installed, I did everything by default settings, in this reinstall I do not remember it asking me if I wanted to use password or windows authentication, maybe I just chose the default and didn't notice, or maybe it just did not ask me. Anyways, after reinstalling, it still didn't connect to the local database server. I tried windows authentication and password again. Does SQL Server 2012 mess up on reinstalls? Shouldn't I be able to connect to the database out of the box? I am thinking of reinstalling my whole operatting system and starting over fresh, but I just want some advice to do it right this time so that I will be able to connect to my local database. I have searched on google, but it's difficult to find sp ...