Struggling to get SSMS running

Question

I've been trying to get Management Studio for 2008 running for 4 days now with only minor success.  I had installed Sql 2008 Express before the Management Studio tool was released, so then I recently updated my install with the 'advanced' 2008 express installer hoping I could get the Management Studio.  The install failed for some reason which seemed related to this article:

http://jasonfollas.com/blog/archive/2008/06/19/sql-server-2008-rc0-install-sql2005ssmsexpressfacet.aspx

After I got the install to work, my machine was in this weird state where the SSMS.exe was installed, however there was no shortcut in my start menu for it.  After I searched for the exe and tried to run it, the splash screen would appear for a split second, then disappear... and thats it.  I tried countless re-installs and repairs with no luck.  I finally got desperate and uninstalled the whole thing, then downloaded the Standard Edition Sql Server 2008 (non-express version).  Its SSMS install then failed.   I found that the previous install didn't actually uninstall... so I located those msi's and uninstalled them.  This time the standard edition installed successfully.

However, now when I run management studio, I get only very basic features working.  Any time I try to open a property window, or a create new database dialog etc, I get errors like:

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
------------------------------

Cannot show requested dialog.

------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.SqlServer.Sqm, Version=10.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified. (SqlMgmt)

I think I'm out of ideas.  There appear to be sooo many conflicts between Sql Server product releases right now, that its impossible to get any development work done.  I've been playing with Sync Framework, Sql CE 3.5, Sql Express, and each installation breaks the other... and it looks like my machine is now hosed beyond repair.

Answer 1

 

Hello Fred,

 

Do you find a solution ?

I have Upgrad from SQL 2005 to 2008 and have the same Issue.

can you Help me to Fix this Problem?

 

thanks

Answer 2

Fred Decker wrote:

I think I'm out of ideas.  There appear to be sooo many conflicts between Sql Server product releases right now, that its impossible to get any development work done.  I've been playing with Sync Framework, Sql CE 3.5, Sql Express, and each installation breaks the other... and it looks like my machine is now hosed beyond repair.

 

Fred,

 

If no one comes up with a better idea, you may think about starting on a clean slate:

 

assuming that this is not a production machine, I would reinstall Windows/Vista and the other software needed.

 

Let us know what happens.

Answer 3

 

did you get a solution for this? I am having the same problem for 2 days now, first they said i have to install it twice, then repair. And it SEEMED to worked until I opened the Application (giving me error : Could not load file or assembly...) During repair i had an error saying that it couldn't find the SSCERuntime-enu.msi although it is on the folder. I'm stucked. I had no problems working with SQL Management studio 2005 until i installed visual studio 2008 then compatibility issues arose.

 

Help pls?! Anyone?

Answer 4

I am having the same problem.  I had SQL 2005 with Management Studio.  I did a SQL 2008 upgrade and it did not install management studio 2008.

 

I then installed VS 2008, evaluation.  Then removed management studio 2005.

 

Tried to add Management studio 2008, but it complained that I had a previous version of VS 2008. 

 

Had to uninstall VS.  Was then able to complete add management studio 2008, but I started getting this error.

 

So, I am removing VS and SQL Server.  Will try installing VS 2008, then SQL 2008.

 

I am getting this message in Management Studio when I try to backup a database, or when I view table properties... Pretty much anything.

 

As I install VS 2008 evaluation, I am noticing that it installs SQL Express 2005 during the installation.  This could be corrupting SQL 2008?

Answer 5

I installed CS 2008.  Tried SQL 2008.  Got this error:

 

VSShellInstalledRule

Checks for previous releases of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

Failed

A previous release of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 is installed on this computer. Upgrade Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 to the SP1 before installing SQL Server 2008.

 

I tried Windows update and check for updates and got no indication that SP1 was available.  Searched for it and am download it now.  The version of VS 2008 I have is the evalualtion version.

 

 

 

Answer 6

 

After many hours, I have fixed it.  You have to search for VS 2008 SP1 and download it.  Then run Windows update, a service pack for SQL 2005 is installed.

 

Then Install SQL 2008 and everything runs.  I then removed SQL 2005, and things seem fine...

Answer 7

Great!  Can you mark this thread as "answered"?

Answer 8

installing sp1 for vs did not fix it for me.
after some digging i think i've found the cause.

the reason it complains is because the file Microsoft.SqlServer.Sqm.dll should be located in two folders.
the first one is: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Shared" and the second one is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE"

in my case the second location did not contain that file for some reason, i've tried reparing and reinstalling the management tools without any success.
manualy copying the file over to the IDE folder fixed the error for me.

this file appears to have something to do with the customer experience improvment program.

in my case reinstalling completly from scratch was not a good option.
my first theory was that the error was related to the setup support files but i don't think thats the case.