Moving install dir and system DB's during install?

  • Good day,

    I am trying to install SQL 2008 (64-bit) for a POC. And being driven slightly dilly in the process.

    It seems you cannot move the system databases from the default location, which is in the install dir for the instance. Even the command-line install switch for that option seems to have been discontimued. Any ideas?

    Even more frustrating: I can't move the install itself from the default dir. The install GUI gives and error when you change the field. If you go through some work-arounds by creating the install config ini file via the GUI, edit it to show the correct dir and then install via command-line, it simply reverts back to c:\program files\.... by the time you come to the pre-install summary. I have even added the INSTALLSHAREDDIR on the command-line install options (with the same dir value) and the same happens. Don't do the install quiet, specifically so I can see this summary before firing off the install.

    Any ideas will be welcomed.

    Thanks

  • You can move the system databases to any directory you want and in fact it's much simpler than in SQL 2005. I think what you tried was changing the directory for the shared features. This must be under Program Files.

    You set the datadirectory in the step Database Engine Configuration. Here you have a tab for datadirectories.

    If you use the unattended installation you should use the parameter /INSTALLSQLDATADIR.

    [font="Verdana"]Markus Bohse[/font]

  • I am actually trying to do both.

    We want our system databases on a different drive than our installs. We also want SQL install to be done on a different drive than Windows. That would preferably include the shared files.

    As for moving system DB's moving being easier that 2005... my option to change it is greyed out. To be clear: I can specify user DB's and logs location, tempdb and tempdb log, backup dir, everything on that screen. The System DB's path defaults to within the install dir of the instance - and cannot be changed - it is greyed out. Maybe to do with my using the Enterprise Evaluation licence?

    Thanks, I will try that option you specified, though. Will give feedback.

  • SeaBee (1/30/2009)


    I am actually trying to do both.

    We want our system databases on a different drive than our installs. We also want SQL install to be done on a different drive than Windows. That would preferably include the shared files.

    As for moving system DB's moving being easier that 2005... my option to change it is greyed out. To be clear: I can specify user DB's and logs location, tempdb and tempdb log, backup dir, everything on that screen. The System DB's path defaults to within the install dir of the instance - and cannot be changed - it is greyed out. Maybe to do with my using the Enterprise Evaluation licence?

    Thanks, I will try that option you specified, though. Will give feedback.

    When you specify a non-standard path for your user databases during the setup, the system databases will be placed into the same folder. The fact that you use an Evaluation license shouldn't make any difference.

    [font="Verdana"]Markus Bohse[/font]

  • MarkusB (1/30/2009)

    When you specify a non-standard path for your user databases during the setup, the system databases will be placed into the same folder.

    Thanks Markus, I did not pick that up... Don't think the line specifying the location changes - if it does, I looked straight into my eyelids!

    Your other suggestions seems to be working - the install is running at the moment. Will uninstall and check out this option, as it is much neater. We can actually then fool it by putting our "User DB Dir" to our system DB dir and then change that option after the install to get our user DB's where it should be.

    Just to confirm from your previous mesage - you say there's no way to move the actual install directory (INSTALLSHAREDDIR)? Well, that's what my frustrated efforts also shows - makes no difference what you put that value to, it has no effect.

  • SeaBee (1/30/2009)


    MarkusB (1/30/2009)

    Just to confirm from your previous mesage - you say there's no way to move the actual install directory (INSTALLSHAREDDIR)? Well, that's what my frustrated efforts also shows - makes no difference what you put that value to, it has no effect.

    Umm, I think I was wrong.

    You actually can change that path as well, just tried it on a virtual machine.

    Only once you have installed any of the shared features like SSMS, client connectivity tools etc. you can't change it during a later installation. Maybe if you do a full uninstall, but I haven't tested that.

    [font="Verdana"]Markus Bohse[/font]

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