The purpose of this blog is to help you determine how to update an existing installation of SQL Server 2008 or how to install an updated SQL Server 2008.

 

SQL Server 2008 Express original release already Installed:

  • Can be patched by using the full SQL Server 20008 SP1 installer
  • Can be patched by using the SQL Server 2008 SP1 Express package when /Action=Patch is specified on the command line.
  • Microsoft Update: The full SQL Server 20008 SP1 installer will be published to Microsoft Update for updated Express instances

 

SQL Server 2008 any other edition that is already installed:

This includes Express with Tools, Express with Advanced Services, Enterprise, Standard, Developer, Evaluation, and etc.

  • Can be patched by using the full SQL Server 20008 SP1 installer
  • Microsoft Update: The full SQL Server 20008 SP1 installer will be published to Microsoft Update for updated Express instances.

 

New install of SQL Server 2008 Express

For each SQL Server 2008 Service Package release, a new SQL Server 2008 package will also be shipped. You should use this package for your latest installations. Starting with SQL Server Service Pack 1, you can slipstream in a cumulative update (hotfix) through the slipstream (see note1) infrastructure.  Instructions will be provided by the time SP1 releases on how to accomplish this.

 

New install of all other editions SQL Server 2008

Pre-Service Pack 1:

Prior to the release of Service Pack 1, in you need to patch setup due to a known issue, you need to follow the instructions location here.

 

Post-Service Pack 1:

Once Server Pack 1 ships, you can combine the SQL Server 2008 original media and Service Pack 1 at runtime to avoid issues that cause a setup failure or provides the ability to perform a single install that takes you up to Service Pack 1. This is referred as slipstreaming. There are two procedures for using slipstreaming.

 

Procedure 1: Pre-install SQL Setup and then run RTM from DVD.

This option is recommended if you are installing SQL Server 2008 on a single machine. If you will be installing on several machine it is recommended that you follow procedure 2 as it will save time.

See official documentation here for detail instructions.

Procedure 2: Create a merge (slipstream) drop

This procedure is recommended if you will be installing SQL Server 2008 on several machines. See Creating a merge (slipstream) drop for details.

 

NOTES:

(1) Slipstreaming is integrating a SQL Server 2008 update and the original installation media so that the original media and the update are installed at the same time.