Thread: Installation Problem-SQL Server Express 2008

Hi Guys, I see a lot of people have problems installing this. I've tried various "suggestions" I've seen online to no avail.

My issue is that I downloaded SQL Server 2008 Express version using the MS Web Platform Installer 2.0 from the SQL Server 2008 Express link.

Anyway, the download goes fine and I don't have any other instances of SQL Server on my computer (Vista Home edition; up to date with latest updates from microsoft etc etc)

I click on SQL Server Installation Center (running as administrator). I go to Tools in the Center and click on System Configuration checker...everything passes. I go to Installation and click on "New SQL Server Installation or Add Features to Existing Installation"

I then get a dialogue box that says, "Browse Folders" with a folder explorer box at the bottom. I tried selecting C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100 and it says "The specified folder is not a valid installation directory" So I tried about 50 other folders, not matter what I do, I get the same message.

I navigated to other areas of the Installation Center like "repair" etc, pretty much every thing I do gives me the same error RE: invalid installation folder.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Hi J,

Yeah, I went to the slip stream site; someone suggested that from another forum.

I downloaded SQL Server 2005 Express a while back but never installed it because it was doing the same thing. I completely uninstalled all the software before loading this one.

The problem I had with the slipstream site was that I found it very confusing. I wasn't really able to follow it in any particular direction.

They talked about requiring MS Installer 4.5 but the newest version of SQL 2008 express comes with web platform installer. The commands also weren't working that were suggested in the article.

Jason,

That directory doesn't exist on my computer. I did a key word search on my computer for myinstance and returned nothing.

Ok...that should have included a "duh" So I found the instance and re-read the article you pointed to.

I went into regedit and I see keys for SQL Server 2005 there...so I guess when I downloaded it last year, it wrote to the registry.

I'm attaching a printscreen of the HKey_Local_Machine registry.

Do you think I need to manually remove the 2005 software from the registry?

When I try to install 2008 to the current instance, it still says it's not a valid path.

Thanks!

Ok,
If anyone is following this, it seems that I was actually already installed as I'm able to get into SQL Server Management Studio with no problem. It's weird because the SQL Server install said I had to run the install from the installation center once I downloaded the files.

I'm not sure if maybe there's a step I'm missing, but all seems fine. Who knew? I've seen quite a few other people with similar problems so I'm not sure if we're all just idiots (don't answer that!) or if maybe there's a component to the server itself that I"m missing. Anyway, I'm able to use it, so at least my issue seems closed.

Thanks!

Guess you can't complain when it's free, eh?