Along with the release of the MAP Toolkit 6.5 beta, we are making a survey available to capture your experience with the SQL Server scenarios within the MAP Toolkit. The information that we gather in the survey will help us with the next major release...

Hi all, Back at the end of August, I transition from the SQL Server engineer team working on SQL Server Setup to the MAP (Microsoft Assessment and Planning) Toolkit Team. Since I have been on the new team, I have been working on updating the MAP Toolkit...

With the release of SQL Server “Denali” CTP3, we have introduce the “Product Updates” functionality in SQL Server Setup. Product Update is a new feature in Microsoft SQL Server Code-Named “Denali”, Community Technology Preview 3 (CTP 3) Setup. It integrates...

With the release SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1, I have compiled the list of steps to create a slipstream drop. Once you have created this slipstream drop, you can install the original release of SQL Server 2008 R1 and SP1 at the same time. The slipstream functionality...

In this SQL Server “Denali” CTP3 release, you can try out the new Product Update functionality. We have made a test update available for you to run through the Product Update functionality and provide us feedback. To provide feedback, provide a comment...

Overview: Product Update is a new feature in Microsoft SQL Server Code-Named “Denali”, Community Technology Preview 3 (CTP 3) Setup. It integrates the latest product updates with the main product installation so that the main product and its applicable...

We are looking for feedback on three items for SQL Server Code Name “Denali”. First, are the supported OSes . Second, are the supported upgrade paths . Third, is the way the installer handles unsupported OSes and upgrade paths . Specifically we want to...

In this blog, I will cover how to upgrade a SQL Server 2008 R2 cluster to the next version of SQL Server called “Denali”. The version of Denali that I am using is a build before the final CTP3 release. The process and dialogs should most be unchanged...

When installing SQL 2008 R2 BPA on a machine that is not connect to a domain, you may see the following. To verify you are hitting the know issue with the BPA installer trying to enable PowerShell remoting, run the following command to generate an installation...

Today (Jan 25th, 2011), Microsoft released SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 (SP4) to Microsoft Update. SP4 was made available on the download center back in December 2010.   The SP4 update for non-Express SQL Server editions (Developer, Enterprise...

I decided to created a blog on how to perform an Edition Upgrade as I have been getting several related questions each month. These steps are valid for SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, and likely the same in the next version of SQL Server (“Denali...

Just over a week ago Service Pack 2 for SQL Server 2008 was published to Microsoft Update as an optional update. We have been notified that customers are hitting error 0x84C40007 when the Microsoft .NET Frameworks 4 Client Profile is already installed...

With the release of SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2, I am revising my instructions on how to create a slipstream drop containing the original release and Service Pack 2. These instructions are for English SQL Server but will work with any language of SQL...

In SQL Server 2008 R2, we added the command line parameter /UIMODE=AutoAdvance. The official documentation is at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259(SQL.105).aspx . If you add this command line parameter when running SQL Server Setup.exe...

Now that CUs are beginning to ship for SQL Server 2008 R2, I figured I needed to send out updated slipstream instructions for SQL Server 2008 R2. Since the original release of SQL Server 2008 R2 knows how to slipstream, the instructions are easier. ...

If you will be there and have feedback on SQL Server Setup come by and see me.  I will be answering questions around upgrade at the Database Platform (DAT) Track.

Check it out: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/ff625277.aspx .   This is just the initial phase of a solution-based portal page to help you discover useful Setup content. The content will continue to evolve.

The final release of SQL Server 2008 R2 was made publically available on April 21, 2010! SQL Server Express continues to ship in 4 different packages. In this release of Express, we simplified the installation wizard. For the November CTP release, I documented...

Recently, I have been getting several questions regarding whether SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2 is support on Windows XP x64. The simple answer is yes .  The confusion comes in around the service packs for Windows XP x64. If you search the...

Several folks have recently been asking how to slipstream Express with Advanced Services and Service Pack 1. Here are the instructions. Let me know if you encounter any issues.   1. Download “Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Express with Advanced Services...

Just like SQL Server 2008, you can install SQL Server 2008 R2 on a MUI system. Additional checks have been added to SQL Server 2008 R2 to ensure you don’t install on an unsupported localized or MUI system. Therefore it is important you properly configure...

Starting in SQL Server 2008 R2, we have added Sysprep functionality. The Sysprep functionality enables rapid deployment and configuration of SQL SQL Server.  The SQL Server sysprep functionality allows you to install files and then configure at a...

How can i tell what SQL Server features and version do I have installed? This question has been asked a lot recently.  Starting in SQL Server 2008, we added a SQL Server discovery report as an option on the Tools page on the Installation Center. ...

Overview: With the release of the SQL Server 2008 R2 November, we have simplified the SQL Server Express (all editions and package) installation process.  In this release, we have completed the following: Reduced the number of clicks by 50% when...

Microsoft is committed to making the SQL Server the best database in the industry for embedding with your application. For us to achieve this goal, we need your candid feedback on your experience with embedding SQL Server Express.  If you have used...