InstallAware

I am encountering a error on install of SQL Express SP1 (9.0.2047).

The error in the SQL log files is:

Error writing to file: Microsoft.NetEnterpriseServers.ExceptionMessageBox.dll. Verify that you have access to that directory.
Error 1304

My previous installs with 5.1 and SQL Express worked perfect. I updated the installs for SQL express SP1 and built new installs with IA 5.1. Those also worked perfect.

I then upgraded to IA 6. Of course I backed up all of my scripts first as I saw IA6 was about to remove IA 5.1. I forgot to grab the runtime scripts. The uninstall did leave behind some mia.bak files though, so I have those.

The default runtime scripts of course do not know anything about my instance, password, options etc. So I found the mia.bak file and put it the command line as it was working. The command line is:

"SECURITYMODE=SQL DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS=0 SAPWD=""dhs$e700"" INSTANCENAME=""ECLIPSE"" ADDLOCAL=ALL"

Trying the install out on a test machine (virgin XP with SP2), the install fails with the error above and the install exits.

However, if I run the same install again, it installs SQL Express SP1 but I cannot connect as sa and the password above when I create my own SQL login. That part is just wierd. Run it once, it fails. Run the same install again and it does install the engine but I can't connect via script action.

I tried my installs built with 5.1 and SQL express SP1 on the same machine. Works perfect. I have looked at the scripts till I am blue in the face. Everything looks right.

Next step I took was to remove the uncheck the runtime and add it back. When I did that, I noticed it automatically checked MDAC 2.8 refresh. That was definitley not installed with IA 5.1. So I built the install and tested again. Same result. I also tried with MDAC 2.8 refresh SP1. Same install fail. Also tried with ADDLOCAL flag set to SQL ENGINE with same result. I am now in the process of creating a new install (not an upgraded script) that just installs the SQL Express SP1 engine.

Any help or direction (GIzmo?) is greatly appreciated.

Update: New script that has the runtime checked for SQL Express SP1 and my command line installed without a hitch. So the script created with IA 6 worked. The script that was previously 5.1 and now is in IA 6 is the one that doesn't work. So it appears that I have the right runtime distributable and it must be in the upgraded script.

I am going to create a new script from scratch and add all my other files and see if that works.

Uncheck the SQL Server dependency on the Runtimes tab, and remove the include script from the script, save the project, and then recheck the SQL Server dependency from the Runtimes tab.Then click on the Options button on the bottom and set your settings correctly!Don't forget to hit the "Generate command line" button!

Also note that MDAC SHOULD be installed on systems older that Windows XP, so you better check it at as Runtime.

Sorry for the delay posting a reply.. Kind of busy these days

Ok it is getting wierd now. Forget my project. I am starting with a new one from scratch with IA 6.

Round 1 - Created a install that just installs SQL Express SP1. I used my command line as well. Install was perfect. It detected I needed the .NET 2.0 framework and Sql express. I verified the login was created. All good so far.

Round 2 - Looked at my install that is broke, double checked the scripts for installing SQL express. 100% identical. Started looking elsewhere as I know this worked before. Starting building installs with each one of my prereq in the broken script. One by stinking one. When I checked the .Net Framework 1.1 as runtime, the install failed.

Round 3 - Narrowed to just the stuff for SQL Express (SQL runtime, .NET 2.0, Windows Installer 3.1, IE 6 sp1) and then added the .Net 1.1 framework (which also adds Windows installer 2.0). The install fails.

Round 4 - Remove the .Net 1.1 stuff and it works. Interesting. This worked before as I have installs with 5.1 that install both frameworks, sql express, create login, attach db, install services.....

So why would I want to install .NET 1.1 and 2.0 on the same machine? I know that will be the question. Because my services/gui is under 1.1 and SQL express needs 2.0. No problem running the two frameworks side by side. I have installed that exact scenario over 100 times. With IA 5.1 that is.

Can someone verify this with IA 6? My alternative is to build separate installs (one for SQL express, 1 for my stuff)

You don't need my scripts at all. Just start a new project, add the Sql express sp1 runtime, and check the .NET 1.1 framework sp1. Build it and install it.

Seems as though the order of the framework is important as well. If I install 1.1 then 2.0, I get the error 1304. If I install 1.1 last, everything works. Here is my order that is working:

setupmdac28
setupmsi20
setupie6
setupmsi31
setupnet20
setupsql2005
setupnet11sp1

BTW all of my scripts that worked with IA 5.3 are the same, except for the order. I think it gets out of order depending on which checkbox is selected first when you are selecting the runtimes. Since I no longer have 5.1, I can't verify this and it may have done it then as well. I just got the order right by chance.

Now testing with 1.1 already installed, just 2.0, and then 1.1 and 2.0 from Windows update just to be on the safe side.

I can't reproduce this..

The installations works great.. if a newer version of windows installer is already installed, and older version is not installed (that goes to your comment that 1.1 needs WI 2.0 installed).

I install ALL of them.. Net 1.1, SQL Express 2005 SP1, .Net 2.0, IE6 SP1 and MDAC, just fine..

Can you try it on a clean machine and see if it works.. Maybe sth on your test machine brakes the installation for some reason..

Gizmo,

Are you installing an instance of SQL Express or just the defaults?

I am having some strange results trying to execute a sql script against the SQL Express SP1 (i have that installing now, wierd that I have to install 1.1 framework last though).

I can attach a database everytime with this:

EXEC sp_attach_db @dbname = N'DHS_MAIN', @filename1 = N'$PROGRAMFILES$Microsoft SQL Server\\MSSQL.1\\MSSQL\\Data\\DHS_MAIN_DATA.mdf', @filename2 = N'$PROGRAMFILES$Microsoft SQL Server\\MSSQL.1\\MSSQL\\Data\\DHS_MAIN_log.ldf'

But this script fails:

CREATE LOGIN [dhsuser] WITH PASSWORD=N'eclipse', DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=[us_english], CHECK_EXPIRATION=OFF, CHECK_POLICY=OFF
GO
ALTER LOGIN dhsuser WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE=[DHS_MAIN]
GO

Have tried each one separate, without the GO; with the GO; and in the script that does execute.

If I take that script and use the Studio manager to execute the script, it works.
But not from inside the install.

I have unistalled/reinstalled IA 6. Went back to copies of my scripts that were working and tried a new build. No dice. On the same machine I tried an install (same scripts including the SQL ones) that was built the day before the IA 6 upgrade and it works perfect everytime.

One thing that I did notice and not sure this has anything to do with the probem is that when I run the Express Studio Manager, I get a dialog box with the exclamation icon, no caption, no message on startup. On the good install (6/8/06, the last one i have that works built with IA 5.3) I do not get the funny little box.

I went to the myinstallaware site to download 5.3 again and just go back to that for right now. The only product that I can download is IA 6!

Is there any place that I can get IA 5.3 (the full distro @ ~ 220MB)?

One thing that I have not tried is installing IA 6 on a virgin XP machine and then copying my support files over to the right directories and build the installs from there. Right now IA 6 is on my dev machine and that is not going to be slicked anytime soon. That is my last resort if I can't get this working or go back to 5.3.

I tried both Install SQL express with defaults, but with instance also..
The script fails because you don't select the database first, you must specify a USE [db_name]; GO; at the start.. also the semicolon should be present at the end.

Reading your post though, it sounds like a corrupted installation of Framework and SQL Server.There is a tool on the internet, to completely uninstall any reference to .Net 1.1 and 2.0.I would recommend you to download it and completely erase them and then try again.It's on the blog from a Microsoft guy,i just can't remember the link now..

Gizmo,

So the script should be:

USE [DHS_MAIN];
GO;
CREATE LOGIN [dhsuser] WITH PASSWORD=N'eclipse', DEFAULT_DATABASE=[DHS_MAIN], DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=[us_english], CHECK_EXPIRATION=OFF, CHECK_POLICY=OFF;
GO;
EXEC sys.sp_addsrvrolemember @loginame = N'dhsuser', @rolename = N'sysadmin';
GO;
USE [DHS_Main];
EXEC sp_changedbowner 'dhsuser';
GO;

That look right?

Did the syntax change in IA 6? My scripts in 5.3 did not have the ;

Also, if i want to restart the sql server how do I do that?

Service control stop followed by service control start on the service (MSSQL$ECLIPSE) after the Apply command or before it?