Can't Install SQL Server 2008 Express

Question

I have tried to install SQL Server 2008 Express for a few hours for the last several days and have given up.  I have followed all kinds of advice...deleting registry keys, deleting folders, uninstalling all kinds of SQL Server components in the Add/Remove programs.  I am on a Vista Home Premium laptop.  When I try to run SQLEXPRADV_x86_ENU I get to the Setup Support Files where I click Install and I get a flash of a popup and it stops running.  I end  up with a Program Files/Microsoft SQL Server/100/Setup Bootstrap folder but no SQL Server.

I also see Start - SQL Server Configuration Manager which when clicked gives the error "MMC could not create the snap-in".

I'm at a loss of what to do.  Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hello

Please download and run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, to remove installation information from previous installation attempts.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

Then try to re-run setup.

See if the following article gives you any help:

http://www.sqlcoffee.com/SQLServer2008_0011.htm

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 2

Thanks Alberto.  I just found your reply.  I will take a look at the references, try again and let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.

Answer 3

Alberto,

I downloaded the windows uninstaller msicuu2.exe per your first link.  I got a permission denied trying to run it.  I tried double clicking it from the downloads folder in my Admin users folder structure...that did gave me the Permission Denied error.  Then I got to the command prompt and I tried it again with the same error.  I am in my Admin account.

The error in a Windows Script Host  popup window:
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\IXP000.tmp\StartMsi.vbs
Line:  17
Char: 1
Permission Denied
Code: 800A0046

I tried doing cscript.exe //H:Cscript to change the script program while in cmd mode and reran with the same results.

Help.

Thanks,

Ken

Answer 4

Hello.

Try to run that utility and SQL Server setup with an account that administrative privileges on the computer. This time it will work.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 5

OK.  I got the info on how to run Msicuu2.exe and ran it.

Answer 6

Alberto,

Thanks.

The installation finally worked.  The only problem was that the defaultl instance SQLExpress was still there so I had to give it another name.   But once I did that it all went smoothly.

Now I need to get the Adventureworks database installed or attached or whatever.  I have file SQL2008.AdventureWorks_All_Databases.x86 and I hope it will go OK.  I need to have full-text search and something else for this to work.

I tried this install before but it failed, so I guess I will try the Windows Unstaller (msicuu2.exe) first to see if any of these AdventureWorks are already there and get rid of them.  Does that sound right?  Any other tips for me>

Thanks a lot, I spent a lot of time trying to install this product.

Ken

Answer 7

Hello. Ken, please wait. Don’t run the utility again. Before installing AdventureWorks database you need to install Full-Text search and enable FileStream. But I just have the article you need for this tasks. http://mosshowto.blogspot.com/2009/01/adventure-works-2008-installation-sql.html I hope this helps. Regards, Alberto Morillo SQLCoffee.com

Answer 8

Too late.  I already tried the install of the AdventureWorks sample databases and it failed.  I'll read the link, but am I going to have to reinstall?

Answer 9

My successful install of SQL Server 2008 Express done a little earlier today was the Advanced Services (SQLEXPRADV_x86_ENU).  When I start up SQL Server Configuration Manager I see the following services running:
SQL Server (SQLEXPRESSFA) and SQL Full-text Filter Daemon Launcher (SQLEXPRESSFA) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SQLEXPRESSFA).

The following are stopped:  SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) this is the old remaining instance, SQL Server Browser and SQL Server Agent (SQLEXPRESSFA).

The article reference you just sent doesn't seem to help because I added FILESTREAM and I have a Full-text daemon running currently.  The samples .msi file will not complete.

Answer 10

Hello.

You need to enable FileStream prior to install AdventureWorks databases.

See the following procedure:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645923.aspx

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 11

I followed the procedure.  It appeared that I already had Filestream activated, but I ran the query anyway.  I just tried the install of the AdventureWorks sample databases but again when I get to the Database Setup page of the installation, I choose my SQLExpressFA instance but the next button never activates.

Answer 12

Hello Ken,

Please download AdventureWorks for x86 from here:

http://www.codeplex.com/MSFTDBProdSamples  (you will see a button “Download Now”)

Before installing see the following:

http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Database%20Prerequisites&referringTitle=Home

Enable SQL Server Browser on SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Let me know if the problem persists.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 13

I downloaded a fresh copy of the AdventureWorks for x86 file (SQL2008.AdventureWorks_All_Databases.x86).

I read the reference and found that I have all the prerequisites:  Full-text search is installed, SQL Server Full-text filter Daemon is running and Filestream is enabled.

I enabled SQL Server Browser from the SS Configuration Manager.

I tried again to install the AdventureWorks sample databases but I keep getting the Next button disabled and then I finally get back to a page which states "Setup wizard ended prematurely because of an error Your system has not been modified. To install this program at a later time, Run Setup Wizard again.".

I'm at a loss.  This is the problem that caused me to reinstall SQL Server over and over again until you helped me get it installed successfully.

What could it be?

Answer 14

Hello Ken,

Please tell me the file extension of all files with the name “AdventureWorks” in the following folder:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Samples

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com 

 

Answer 15

There is no Samples folder in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools.

Answer 16

Hello,

Well I think this time we’ll get it done. See the "Advice" section of the following link:

http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Database%20Installer%20Help

See also installing using ZIP file.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

 

 

Answer 17

Thanks Alberto.  I have downloaded the zip file and read all the Advice on that reference link.  I was a little concerned about Analysis Services, but I will not install the AS database since I never installed AS during my Express 2008 install.

I'm unzipping now and will have to try the rest of the procedure later tonight.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. This has been an adventure...one I hope I don't repeat.

Answer 18

Hello,

Thank you for your patience.

Let’s wait for the results.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 19

I have a few more minutes before I have to leave and I searched for but did not find any of the scripts in the folders that I just downloaded.

I don't have a instawdb.sql or instawdwdb.sql or instawltdb.sql.  Where are they supposed to come from?

Answer 20

Alberto,

Nevermind, I found them after all.  I'll try running them later on this evening. I'll let you know.

Thanks,

Ken

Answer 21

Hello Ken,

No problem. I will be waiting for the results.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo

Answer 22

I was able to make a change to instawdb.sql in the  AdventureWorks OLTP to point to the correct info.

I ran the script successfully.

I tried to run the AdventureWorks 2008 OLTP and AdventureWorks 2008 Data Warehouse but kept getting the following errors when the script got to the create database section.

*** Creating Database

Msg 5105, Level 16, State 2, Line 2

A file activation error occurred. The physical file name '$(SqlSamplesDatabasePath)AdventureWorksDW2008_Data.mdf' may be incorrect. Diagnose and correct additional errors, and retry the operation.

Msg 1802, Level 16, State 1, Line 2

CREATE DATABASE failed. Some file names listed could not be created. Check related errors.

Msg 5011, Level 14, State 5, Line 2

The script variable for SqlSamplesDatabasePath is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESSFA\MSSQL\DATA\"
which is a valid path for the to be created AdventureWorksDW2008 mdf and ldf.

I think I would like to have the AdventureWorks 2008 OLTP and the AdventureWorks 2008 Data Warehouse databases.  I assume that the plain AdventureWorks OLTP was the 2005 version. 

Can I just drop the AdventureWorks database and run the the 2008 OLTP?  First do have any idea what could be keeping the script from creating the AdventureWorks 2008 OLTP and the AdventureWorks 2008 Data Warehouse databases?

The full name with path for the DW is 99 characters long well below any limits I have been able to find (127).

Regards and Thanks,

Ken

Answer 23

Hello Ken,

Please see the sections "Method 1" and "Method 2" on the following article created by MVP Pinal Dave.

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2008/08/10/sql-server-2008-download-and-install-samples-database-adventureworks-2005-detail-tutorial/

Hope this helps.

Alberto Morillo

Answer 24

Alberto,

I was able to get both the AdventureWorks 2008 OLTP and DataWarehouse samples created and loaded.  My problem was that I was not setting the query screen up in SQLCMD mode.  Once I did the Query top menu and chose SQLCMD mode, it recognized the :setvar variables and then ran just fine.

I would like to ask a couple of questions to finish this off (I hope).
1. Will it hurt anything to get rid of the non 2008 Adventureworks database?  Is that for SQL Server 2005?
2. To delete that datbase is a simple drop <dbname> enough to accomplish this?

Thanks for all the help.  You are a Most Valuable Professional and I appreciate the help.

Take care and God Bless,

Ken Goodson
Houston, TX

Answer 25

Hello Ken,

Leave the old AdventureWorks database attached on your database instance. I do not see any problem if you decide to keep it for any reason. If you decide you don’t needed it anymore, just dropped (on SSMS right click the database and choose Delete).  You can also detached and attach it when if you need it in the future.

Thank you for your perseverance and patience during the whole process. Also, thank you for you kind words.

God bless you too.

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 26

Here's my 3 gotchas for you to check, after these it installed fine. I know they are repeated elsewhere, but here's what I specifically did.

I'm using the T-SQL script from AdventureWorks2008 OLTP "instawdb.sql"

1. Enable FILESTREAM - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645923.aspx
2. In SSMS, go to Query < SQLCMD Mode
3. Uncomment both ":setvar" and changed path to the location of the rest of the mdf's

Chose execute.

Please be advised this is my personal experience, and it may or may not help but here it is just in case.