SQL2008 Express install not working

[kboller]

Hi,

I include MS SQL2008 Express as a core requisite and though the install appears to run correctly, it doesn't install a new instance of the sql server. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Kurt

[linder]

Kurt,

The include script is a wrapper around the original Microsoft redistributable as a starting point. You can modify it to fit your needs (see Microsoft documentation for the redistributable parameters). Add whatever redistributable command line switch you need for your specific deployment scenario.

Friedrich

[kboller]

So out of the box it doesn't actually do the install, I have to modify it to perform the installation, correct?

[linder]

Hello,

Of cource, it does install out of the box :) It's the original Microsoft redistributable from the Microsoft website. That redistributable handles the SQL installation. The SetupBuilder installer just unpacks it and launches the redistributable (with specific command line switches).

But you have to fine tune the script if you have specific requirements. The full source code is provided in form of an .sbi include script and you can do whatever you want. There is absolutely no limit!

See attached screenshots. I did a quick and dirty SQL 2008 Express install (no script fine tuning!) and it worked...

Friedrich

[kboller]

I've checked everything and I have the variables set to the best of my knowledge. It does install the sql server however the instance is not being created. Any suggestions on what to look for to track that down?

Thanks!

[linder]

Hello,

Please see the attached screenshots. If you have set the INSTANCENAME compiler variable in the "Include Script Compiler Variable Configuration" (in our test it is set to "YadaYadaInstance") then this value will be passed via the command line to the original "SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe" Microsoft SQL installer. And that Microsoft installer creates the instance, not SetupBuilder. Your SetupBuilder installer only calls the original redistributable which then handles the SQL install.

Just for fun, when you start the "SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe" from the command line with the required parameters, does it create your instance or not?

The SetupBuilder include script is nothing more than a "wrapper" around the original redistributable. It embeds the redistributable(s) into the setup.exe and unpacks it at runtime to call it with the required parameter(s).

Friedrich