Deleting SQL SERVER 2008 EXPRESS server-instances created by a later version ???

Question

Hello again...  I've received good help before, and anticipate receiving good help again.

I'm cleaning up my SQL SERVER 2008 EXPRESS instances to try to solve a problem with DotNetNuke.   What I find is this:

1.  I was able to delete via UNINSTALL/CHANGE 4 (four) server instances from 10.0.1600.22 (SQLEXPRESSA1, SQLEXPRESSA2, SQLEXPRESSA3, SQLEXPRESSA4).

2.  I ran UNINSTALL/CHANGE on two (2) other instances from 10.1.2531.0 (SQLEXPRESS, XACTWARE), and UNINSTALL/CHANGE acted like it completed successfully and told me it had deleted both instances, but it did not; they are still there.

3.  I have one instance (SQLEXPRESSA5) (10.0.1600.22) which is the good instance and which I do not want to touch.

4.  I also manually ran SETUP.EXE in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Release, but, whatever it used to do, all it does now is to call the automated "setup" version which normally runs via UNINSTALL/CHANGE.   It reported that it had deleted both server instances when it had not.

5.  So I need a way to delete the two SQL SERVER 2008 EXPRESS 10.1.2531.0 instances (SQLEXPRESS and XACTWARE).  It's obvious that the 10.0.1600.22 software cannot do it, either via UNINSTALL/CHANGE or SETUP.EXE.

Can someone help me ???

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 1

Hi Jeff, go to Add/Remove Programs, select the entry for Microsoft SQL Server 2008, and click Uninstall/Change.  On the pop up dialog, select Uninstall.  This will launch the uninstaller and show you the list of instances you have on that machine.  You'll need to run uninstall twice, once for each instance (SQLEXPRESS and XACTWARE).

In this screenshot, you can see that I have 3 instances on this machine.  One is Express 2008 RTM (1600.22), one is Express 2008 SP1 (2531.0), and the other is a SQL Server 2012 instance.  In the dropdown where you select the instance to uninstall, you see that only the two SQL Server 2008 instances are available to uninstall, even though one is RTM and one is SP1, as in your case.

Thanks,
Sam Lester (MSFT)

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Answer 2

you can run also setup.exe from command prompt (in in elevated mode as administrator)

then run

setup.exe /action=UnInstall /InstanceName=<your instance>

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Regards,
Ahmed Ibrahim
SQL Server Setup Team
My Blog
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" and "Vote as Helpful" on posts that help you.
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Answer 3

Did you not read my note, Ahmed ???

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 4

Did you not read my note, Sam ???

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 5

Hi Jeff, the reply that Ahmed and I supplied are the correct first step to try to resolve the problem.  I supplied the suggestion through the UI route, Ahmed supplied the command-line version. 

If you run the UI to uninstall, are the two instances displayed in the drop down?  If so, when you select one of them, on the next page where you perform feature selection, are you selecting the instance of SQL Engine that you want to uninstall?  If this is the case, can you send the results from the summary.txt log file that gets produced during uninstall?  That will show the discovery report to show what features are still on the machine.  The more details you can provide with your course of action and results you're seeing, the more we are able to help out.

Thanks,
Sam Lester (MSFT)

---

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Answer 6

1.  Yes.

2.  No, because a few minutes ago when I tried (once again) to get rid of the XACTWARE 10.1.2531.0 instance (which says in the drop-down that it has an SQLEngine), it did NOT display on the Feature page that it had an SQL engine.   Here it what it displayed in the FEATURE page:

                       Shared Features

                                 SQL Client Connectivity SDK (along with a check box, which it forced me to check)

                       Redistributable Features

(Notice that it did NOT offer me the option of an SQL engine to delete)

Here is the SUMMARY.TXT file for this deletion attempt:

**********************************************************************************

Overall summary:
  Final result:                  Failed: see details below
  Exit code (Decimal):           -2068643838
  Exit facility code:            1203
  Exit error code:               2
  Exit message:                  No feature were uninstalled during the setup execution. The requested features may not be installed. Please review the summary.txt logs for further details.
  Start time:                    2012-08-07 20:55:05
  End time:                      2012-08-07 20:59:17
  Requested action:              Uninstall

Machine Properties:
  Machine name:                  JEFFMCVEY-PC
  Machine processor count:       2
  OS version:                    Windows Vista
  OS service pack:               Service Pack 2
  OS region:                     United States
  OS language:                   English (United States)
  OS architecture:               x64
  Process architecture:          32 Bit
  OS clustered:                  No

Product features discovered:
  Product              Instance             Instance ID                    Feature                                  Language             Edition              Version         Clustered
  Sql Server 2008      SQLEXPRESS           MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS             Database Engine Services                 1033                 Express Edition      10.1.2531.0     No       
  Sql Server 2008      SQLEXPRESS           MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS             SQL Server Replication                   1033                 Express Edition      10.1.2531.0     No       
  Sql Server 2008      XACTWARE             MSSQL10.XACTWARE               Database Engine Services                 1033                 Express Edition      10.1.2531.0     No       
  Sql Server 2008      SQLEXPRESSA5         MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESSA5           Database Engine Services                 1033                 Express Edition      10.0.1600.22    No       

Package properties:
  Description:                   SQL Server Database Services 2008
  SQLProductFamilyCode:          {628F8F38-600E-493D-9946-F4178F20A8A9}
  ProductName:                   SQL2008
  Type:                          RTM
  Version:                       10
  SPLevel:                       0
  Installation edition:          EXPRESS

User Input Settings:
  ACTION:                        Uninstall
  CONFIGURATIONFILE:             C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20120807_205429\ConfigurationFile.ini
  FEATURES:                      SNAC_SDK
  HELP:                          False
  INDICATEPROGRESS:              False
  INSTANCEID:                    <empty>
  INSTANCENAME:                  XACTWARE
  MEDIASOURCE:                  
  QUIET:                         False
  QUIETSIMPLE:                   False
  X86:                           True

  Configuration file:            C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20120807_205429\ConfigurationFile.ini

Detailed results:
  Feature:                       SQL Client Connectivity SDK
  Status:                        Skipped
  MSI status:                    Passed
  Configuration status:          Passed

Rules with failures:

Global rules:

There are no scenario-specific rules.

Rules report file:               C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20120807_205429\SystemConfigurationCheck_Report.htm

Exception summary:
The following is an exception stack listing the exceptions in outermost to innermost order
Inner exceptions are being indented

Exception type: Microsoft.SqlServer.Setup.Chainer.Workflow.NoopWorkflowException
    Message:
        No feature were uninstalled during the setup execution. The requested features may not be installed. Please review the summary.txt logs for further details.

****************************************************************************************

Jeff

 

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Jeff McVey

Answer 7

Can you run setup.exe from

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\update

NOT

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\update

can you try 

from the command prompt

setup.exe /Action=uninstall /InstanceName=XACTWARE             

seems you are trying to uninstall 64 bit instance by running 32 bit version of setup

  OS architecture:               x64
  Process architecture:          32 Bit

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Regards,
Ahmed Ibrahim
SQL Server Setup Team
My Blog
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" and "Vote as Helpful" on posts that help you.
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Answer 8

THANK YOU for your help, Achmed.

That was a good thought.  I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes.

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 9

THANK YOU for your help, Achmed.

It tried to work, but failed.

The following error message(s):

SQL Server Setup has encountered the following error:  The specified action Uninstall is not supported for the SQL Server patching operation.

Error Code 0x84BF0007

(and at the DOS prompt, I got the following error messages)

Error result - 2067857401

Result facility code: 1215

Result error code: 7

Please review the summary.txt log for further details.   [the summary.txt file follows]

My next step is to completely remove all evidence of 32-bit SQL from my system, install 64-bit SQL, and try to use it to UNINSTALL the two (apparently) 64-bit instances I've got.

Obviously, if that is successful, I'll then delete the 64-bit SQL from my system and (re)install the 32-bit version.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Jeff

**********************************************************************************

Overall summary:
  Final result:                  Failed: see details below
  Exit code (Decimal):           -2067857401
  Exit facility code:            1215
  Exit error code:               7
  Exit message:                  The specified action Uninstall is not supported for the SQL Server patching operation.
  Start time:                    2012-08-08 09:53:36
  End time:                      2012-08-08 09:56:03
  Requested action:              Uninstall

Machine Properties:
  Machine name:                  JEFFMCVEY-PC
  Machine processor count:       2
  OS version:                    Windows Vista
  OS service pack:               Service Pack 2
  OS region:                     United States
  OS language:                   English (United States)
  OS architecture:               x64
  Process architecture:          64 Bit
  OS clustered:                  No

Package properties:
  Description:                   SQL Server Database Services 2008
  SQLProductFamilyCode:          {628F8F38-600E-493D-9946-F4178F20A8A9}
  ProductName:                   SQL2008
  Type:                          RTM
  Version:                       10
  SPLevel:                       1
  KBArticle:                     KB968369
  KBArticleHyperlink:            http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=968369
  PatchType:                     SP
  AssociateHotfixBuild:          0
  Platform:                      x64
  PatchLevel:                    10.1.2531.0
  ProductVersion:                10.0.1600.22
  GDRReservedRange:              10.0.1000.0:10.0.1099.0;10.0.3000.0:10.0.3099.0
  PackageName:                   SQLServer2008-KB968369-x64.exe
  Installation location:         C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Update Cache\KB968369\ServicePack\x64\setup\
  Installation edition:          EXPRESS

User Input Settings:
  ACTION:                        Uninstall
  CONFIGURATIONFILE:            
  FEATURES:                      SQLENGINE
  HELP:                          False
  INDICATEPROGRESS:              False
  INSTANCEID:                    <empty>
  INSTANCENAME:                  XACTWARE
  QUIET:                         False
  QUIETSIMPLE:                   False
  X86:                           False

  Configuration file:            C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20120808_095227\ConfigurationFile.ini

Detailed results:

Rules with failures:

Global rules:

There are no scenario-specific rules.

Rules report file:               C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20120808_095227\SystemConfigurationCheck_Report.htm

Exception summary:
The following is an exception stack listing the exceptions in outermost to innermost order
Inner exceptions are being indented

Exception type: Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.BootstrapExtension.BootstrapException
    Message:
        The specified action Uninstall is not supported for the SQL Server patching operation.
    Data:
      DisableWatson = true
    Stack:
        at Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.BootstrapExtension.ValidateRequestedPatchAction.ExecuteAction(String actionId)
        at Microsoft.SqlServer.Chainer.Infrastructure.Action.Execute(String actionId, TextWriter errorStream)
        at Microsoft.SqlServer.Setup.Chainer.Workflow.ActionInvocation.InvokeAction(WorkflowObject metabase, TextWriter statusStream)
        at Microsoft.SqlServer.Setup.Chainer.Workflow.PendingActions.InvokeActions(WorkflowObject metaDb, TextWriter loggingStream)

***********************************************************************************************

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Jeff McVey

Answer 10

Can you try running the same command from

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\release

---

Regards,
Ahmed Ibrahim
SQL Server Setup Team
My Blog
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" and "Vote as Helpful" on posts that help you.
This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Answer 11

THANK YOU for your help, Achmed.

For some reason, there was no "release" subdirectory in the 64-bit path.

I had to search for setup.exe in the 64-bit path to find it where I did.

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 12

THANK YOU for your help, Achmed.

I just loaded the 64-bit SQL SERVER 2008 EXPRESS alongside my 32-bit version, and did the following things:

1.  I ran the 64-bit UNINSTALL on the "bad" instances that it listed, and it said it deleted them, but it did not.

2.  I then ran the 64-bit UNINSTALL on the good 32-bit instance, and it gave me an "ARCHITECTURE-MISMATCH" error (which is correct).

3.  I then rean the 32-bit UNINSTALL on the good 64-bit instance which I had just created, and it gave me an "ARCHITECTURE-MISMATCH" error (which is correct).

4.  As I said earlier, I ran the 64-bit UNINSTALL on the two "bad" instances which it listed, and it said it deleted them, but it did not.  It gave me NO ARCHITECTURE-MISMATCH error on these two bad instances.

5.  In other words, the two "bad" instances listed in the UNINSTALL table will say "yes" to anything, but they can't be uninstalled, either by a 32-bit UNINSTALL or by a 64-bit UNINSTALL.

So, going forward, I think I have two issues:

1.  I have the issue with the "bad" instances listed in the UNINSTALL table.   How can I get rid of these entries ???

2.  I'm starting to think that this is more of a VERSION issue than it is an ARCHITECTURE issue.   The two "bad" instances are version 10.1.2531.0, while all the "good" instances are version 10.0.1600.22.    How can I get an UNINSTALL that will work for version 10.1.2531.0 ???

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 13

I think you have 2 options

• Can you try repairing the 'bad' instances (setup.exe /action=repair from SQL express package), then try to unInstall
• Can you try to uninstall the 'bad' manually this is risk and not recommended I would say this should be your last option as it may affect the good instances too, to remove the instances manually see

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlsetupandupgrade/thread/3974daa9-9da1-46d9-8001-57b8517d3470?prof=required

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Regards,
Ahmed Ibrahim
SQL Server Setup Team
My Blog
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" and "Vote as Helpful" on posts that help you.
This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Answer 14

THANK YOU for your help, Achmed !!!

It has been my experience that "REPAIR" always requires a disk (or somesuch) to insert, and I do not have such.

Jeff

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Jeff McVey

Answer 15

That thing is SQL server 2008 EXpress Service pack media

you can get it from here

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27597

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Regards,
Ahmed Ibrahim
SQL Server Setup Team
My Blog
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" and "Vote as Helpful" on posts that help you.
This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Answer 16

THANK YOU for you help, Achmed !!!

Why did you send me the SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 3 ???

Jeff

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Jeff McVey