Named instance vs Default instance

  • Hello everyone, I am trying to install SQL 2000 on a server that previosly had a SQL 2000 installation. During installation, the checkbox for Default instance is grayed out and I am not able to choose it. Any idea why it is grayed out and how I can fix that? Also, if I end up having to install a named instance, I would like to know what exactly will be different from a Default instance. Thanks.

  • I had this as well. I'm sure you can clean out the registry and get a default, but I didn't bother.

    No difference for a named instance. Just have the name appended. My instance is "steve", so I have an MSSQL$Steve service and I type MyMachinename\steve to connect.

    Steve Jones

    sjones@sqlservercentral.com

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones

  • I had this as well. I'm sure you can clean out the registry and get a default, but I didn't bother.

    No difference for a named instance. Just have the name appended. My instance is "steve", so I have an MSSQL$Steve service and I type MyMachinename\steve to connect.

    Steve Jones

    sjones@sqlservercentral.com

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones

  • I see, I went to the registry location

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer and changed the MSSQLServer directory name. I was then able to install a default instance of SQL Server. I wonder if it is now safe to delete the old MSSQLServer directory?

  • May or may not be depending on the install path. What I suggest do is test by renaming the folder and see if this causes any issues. If not then should be ok, if does it should give you an idea of what is not safe. Then work from there.

    "Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)

  • There's an KB article for manually cleaning up SQL Server 2000 instances, but I'm not having luck finding it tonight, though I keep hitting the SQL Server 7 one. It should answer your questions, though.

    K. Brian Kelley

    http://www.truthsolutions.com/

    Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

    http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

    K. Brian Kelley
    @kbriankelley

  • Finally! Here is how to remove SQL Server 2000 instances manually:

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q290991

    There are some registry steps as well, so as always, take the proper cautions.

    K. Brian Kelley

    http://www.truthsolutions.com/

    Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

    http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

    K. Brian Kelley
    @kbriankelley

  • Hi,

    The checkbox is grayed out because you can only install a named instance on a box with a default installation.

    With a name instance, you don't have all the protocols being supported. I think protocols like 'Banyan vines, multiprotocol, appletalk ' are not supported on Named Instance.

    To use query analyser for example, you have to specify the name of the machine plus the name of the instance.

    Each instance has its own directory to store the executable, its own sql server agent.

    You can also check the port which is only 1433, when you install named instance you can choose any port but it is problematic.

    Ref: Inside sql server 2000 and BOL

    Good luck

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