How to install SQL Server 2008 in almost 4 hours
The title is not really appropriate. I should call this post “How to get on someone’s nerves”.
After a fresh install of Windows Vista and Visual Studio 2008 I went on microsoft.com and downloaded the Express version of SQL Server 2008 (200 MB).
Started the installer and got a message informing me that I need .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed. Ok, no problem - went on the download site and got a 2 MB installer. It downloaded another 39 MB and then it took more time to install than was needed for Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite, Full Install. And it required a restart; Visual Studio Installer did not.
After this I restarted SQL Server installation. Guess what? Another message saying that I need Windows Installer 4.5. Again, go to microsoft.com, download the installer, install the update - took less time than .netfx 3.5sp1 - and restart.
Finally I was able to start SQl Server installer. Guess what? After the first check I got another prerequisites failure: Windows Power Shell. Go to microsoft.com (again), search for PowerShell, go on the download page, verify that Windows is Genuine, download, install. Now I got no warning for SQL Installer - Yupii! (but not for long).
The setup program installed a few componenents and… another check… this time it couldn’t find Visual Studio 2008 SP1… Go to microsoft (for the fourth time), download an 800 MB iso image, mount it and start the installer. Did I tell you that .NET Framework 3.5SP1 took a lot of time to install? Well, SP1 for VS2008 took almost double.
After 4 hours from the initial tentative of installation I was able to successfully complete the setup…
6 Responses to “How to install SQL Server 2008 in almost 4 hours”
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September 6th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
And what did you expect? It`s ‘Micro$oft’ duh !
September 7th, 2008 at 10:08 am
That’s why I love Ubuntu :P.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:13 am
At least you could appreciate that it allows you to install the server on other partition than C:. On a pentium 4/windows XP SP3 it took about 2 hours - that’s too much, compared to SQL Server 2005. Creepy… this way, it will not become very popular.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
oh ye it sucks… that’s why i install the 2005 edition :D
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 am
I’ve been through pretty much the same thing just now on Server 2008.
The installer for SQL Server 2008 is simply pathetic.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Microsoft should be embarrassed with the installation issues SQL Server Express 2008 has. Im addition to all the above, I got a the following error: “The INSTANCESHAREDWOWDIR command line value was not specified. This value must be specified when the INSTANCESHAREDDIR value is specified.” What the hell is that? After searching, I found this error only occurs if an install dir different from the default one (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Sql Server) is selected. Are you kidding me Microsoft? Include the latest Windows Installer and PowerShell with it. And have some kind of warning in advance that you must have Visual Studio SP1 before installing. People just want the damn thing to install with no problems. These isues are going to put people off from using SQL Server.