The bane of Sql 2005 Express

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The bane of Sql 2005 Express

Stevishere

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Points: 193
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January 16, 2008 at 9:19 am

#185687

I am out of brain cells. I can not figure out how to upgrade instances of sql express to sql 2005 or even add an instance of sql 2005. I have installed/upgraded everything else (SSMS, etc.) to SQL 2005.
I am dazed and confused. I don't even know where to start in explaining what I have tried and done. I have 303 log files going back to 3/27/2007 from various attempts.
Where do I start in figuring this debacle out???

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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Matt Miller (4) SSC Guru Points: 124210 More actions · Answer 1

Go to the command prompt in the SQL Server setup directory and run

Setup /SKUUPGRADE=1

Should prompt you to upgrade every component (including the database engine). Now - it won't change your instance name, so if that's called SQLEXPRESS, then it will keep the name. But the components will be the production version.

This may whine at you if have service packs installed, in which case you might need to uninstall SQL Express, and install 2005 into the same place. Don't touch/move the directories it leaves behind - just uninstall/reinstall.

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Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?

Stevishere SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 2

Thanks Matt.

I have done that. Running SKUUPGRADE=1 was how I finally was able to use SSMS instead of the Express version.

BTW, I can not find any SS Agent running anywhere. At some point when I was working, it told me it couldn't perform an operation without SS Agent and to enable it.

Now what?

Thank you so much for your reply.

Matt Miller (4) SSC Guru Points: 124210 More actions · Answer 3

If it's installed - there should be a service (which the default installed will set to manual startup). Try setting the service to auto startup and start the service, and see how it does.

If you don't see a service - you might need to revisit the install and add Agent.

Also - to address one of your initial questions - using the Advanced version of the install (advanced pops up at some point in the first 4-first screens during setup) was how I switch/determine which instance, or if I want to ADD an instance.

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Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?

Stevishere SSC Enthusiast Points: 193 More actions · Answer 4

I went to Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services. Relative to SQL, I only see:

(2) instances of SQL Server (those are the Outlook and Accounting Express instances)

1 line of SQL Server Reporting (On the Express DB again)

1 Line for the Sql Server Browser

1 line for Sql Server Active Directory Helper (Disabled)

I don't really need to udgrade the express databases.

I develop for clients that typically have SQL server hosted. In all cases it is SQL 2005 (mode 90). I need to be able to either copy one of the remote databases to my local SQL 2005 then upload that to a different remote hosted (again SQL 2005 in mode 90).

I have SQL 2005 Developer installed locally (or some pieces it appears). I am unable to create a new instance of SQL 2005.

Thank you so much for your reply.