SQL Server Setup

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...

[Updated on April 7th, along with the availability of SQL Server 2008 SP1] Today, I am going to show you how to create new source media that will slipstream the original source media and SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. Once you have created this drop...

We have been hearing that customers installing SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 August CTP are hitting the following error: “Invoke or BeginInvoke cannot be called on a control until the window handle has been created.” This issue is occurring due...

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...

[Updated on Sept 15th to add question #13] [Updated on June 12th to add an issue with the PCUSource parameter] General slipstreaming questions: Question #1: What is Slipstreaming? Answer: It is a term used to describe merging original source media with...

[Updated on April 7th, along with the availability of SQL Server 2008 SP1] Starting in SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1, you can update the product using our "Slipstream" infrastructure.  Below, I have the basic steps for slipstreaming the...

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...

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...

SQL Server is supported on Windows 7, but you may need to apply the latest Service Pack level to be supported.    Here are the supported products and SP levels: SQL Server 2005: SP3 is required SQL Server 2008: SP1 is required SQL Server 2008...

The executable files included in SQL Server 2005 SP3, SQL Server SP2 CUs (Hotfixes) and SQL Server 2008 have been manifested to include Vista and Windows 2008 information. Due to a bug in Windows XP SP2 without the hotfix or XP SP3 release you may encounter...

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. ...

In SQL Server 2008, we added a tool to fix some registry keys to address some known issues.  We recently discovered this tool can fail on rare occasions when it does not have permissions to all required registry keys.   If a rule fails with...

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. ...

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...

Today, I am going to show you how to create new source media that will slipstream the original source media, SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1, and a CU based on service pack 1. Once you have created this drop, you can install SQL Server 2008 SP1 and a CU...

[Updated on 2/16/2010: Corrected an issue with step #6] In today’s blog I will show you have to create a drop of SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express with Service Pack 1. Without these steps, you need to install the original release of Management...

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...

[Updated on June 10th, 2009 to reference mention SSMS and SP1 availability on Microsoft Update] [Updated on April 14th, 2009 to reference the final SP1 update] The SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 1 has been released. The internal workings and...

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...

Starting on April 28th, service pack 1 for SQL Server 2008 will be posted to Microsoft Update. The update will patch any edition or whether the instance is clustered or a stand-alone instance. To obtain the update, you need must opt into Microsoft Update...

Starting in SQL Server 2008 SP1, uninstall will be supported.  When you install a Service Pack, an entry is added to Add or Remove Programs or Program and Features in Vista and above.  The uninstall wizard is launched through this entry.  ...

Several customers have asked how to create a source media drop that only contains the management tools. SQL Server 2005 had a Tools folder, but this was removed in SQL Server 2008 as the source media layout was changed. The SQL Server 2005 source media...

[Updated on April 7th, along with the availability of SQL Server 2008 SP1] Today, I am going to show you how to create new source media that will slipstream the original source media and SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. Once you have created this drop...

[Update on September 4th, 2009] We are still discussing when to make SQL Server 2008 SP1 available through Automatic Update. At this time, it would be released through Automatic Update in September. SQL Server 2008 SP1 started to be deployed through...