Default Instance with SQL Server Express

[EDVGradl]

I am having problems when installing the SQL Server Express Edition with Installaware.

First of all, when I check all features in the options dialog in installaware, the sql server installation fails. It doesn't say why, it just fails.

Secondly and most important I have a problem with installing the default instance. When I use the installer from Microsoft and choose default instance the server has the same name as the PC. E.G. when my PC is called PCNAME, the sql server can be reached as PCNAME (or locahost etc.) When I used Installaware there is an option that say instance: leave blank for default instance. But when I leave this field blank, the server is called PCNAME\\SQLEXPRESS instead of PCNAME.

So what must I do that the default instance is really the default instance???

Thanks a lot!

I am using Installaware 5.3 Studio

[MichaelNesmith]

According to Microsoft documentation, the default instance will be of the form PCNAME\\SQLEXPRESS. So I am not sure how you got just PCNAME as an instance on your system.

The best way to see why the failure occurs is to run the native SQL installer, choosing all the available options, on an identical system configuration. This should reveal why the failure happened (even though it may not be very descriptive or helpful - post here and we'll get back to you with more suggestions).

Finally, make sure you are specifying a SA password, and are clicking the Generate Command Line button - those are two common gotcha's.

[jimo]

Are you completing both the "Options" and "Features" tabs in the SQL Server Express dialog before you click Generate Command Line?

As for the default instance try specifying an instance name like TEST and then after you Generate Command Line in the Setup Command Line field remove the word TEST leave the quotes and see if that accomplishes what you are looking for.

[EDVGradl]

For the first problem: Yes, I check all avaiable options and then sql server can't be installed. With the default checks it works. Maybe it depens somehow on the PC, because I am a little low on RAM (512 MB).

My second problem is really a big one for me.

When I use the MSI from microsoft I can choose the instance, either default instance or named instance (default here is SQLEXPRESS).

When I use default the instance is PCNAME, when I use named instance it is like PCNAME/SQLXPRESS

The service name is always MSSQLSERVER

With Installaware, it simply doesn't work.

First of all the service name is always SQLEXPRESS an no matter what I do I can't change that. Why?

Secondly the default instance is always PCNAME\\SQLEXPRESS. I can change SQLEXPRESS to anything else, but I can't set the default instance PCNAME. The trick with DefaultInstance = "" does not work, then install is cancelled

I tried it on three different PCs and even installed Windows from scratch. It does not work.

Most importent, when I install with Installaware, I can't connect to the database. I changed my connection string accordingly, but it is not possbile to do a connection. With the .MSI install it works.

Any hints?

Thanks a lot.

[MichaelNesmith]

For the first question, it seems when you try to do a full install, indeed some memory or other requirement of the full version is not being met, so install fails.

For the other questions...especially your comment that no matter what you do, the instance name does not change, leads me to conclude that you are not, in fact, clicking the Generate Command Line button.

You have to click the Generate Command Line button.

Additionally, InstallAware runs the SQL Express 2005 setup for you, silently, anyways - so if it doesn't work with InstallAware, it can only mean you are using an improper command line.

Please double-check your command line and try again.

[jimo]

Ok, bad quess on the INSTANCENAME="" trick, but if you use MSSQLSERVER as the instance name (INSTANCENAME="MSSQLSERVER")
you will get a default instance with just the PCNAME.

[EDVGradl]

I really tried with different command lines:

The default is: SECURITYMODE=SQL DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS=0 ADDLOCAL=SQ

I used this: ADDLOCAL=SQL_Engine

and even this: SECURITYMODE=SQL DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS=0 SAPWD="Test" ADDLOCAL=SQL_Engine,SQL_Data_Files,SQL_Replication,Client_Components,Connectivity,SDK,

always the instance is PCName\\SQLEXPRESS and the service is called SQLEXPRESS

When I use the third command line, the setup fails.

I will thry the trick with Instancename ="MSSQLSERVER" and post again.

Thanks for the help so far.

[EDVGradl]

Yes, that did the trick, with INSTANCENAME="MSSQLSERVER" it works as with the MSI File, the service is called MSSQLSERVER and the instance is PCNAME.

Thank you very much, jimo!