Trying to Install SQL Server 2008

Thank you Microsoft.....

Today's goal was to install SQL Server 2008, and then work on some consulting projects. Well, 4 hours later.......I can now begin.

I am running SQL Server 2005 Express on my machine and I wanted to leave that instance intact and install a new instance of SQL Server 2008.

At first pass, the installation squaked at me by telling my I needed to install Visual Studio 2008 SP1. OK...done.

During the next attempt of the "System Configuration Check" that takes place after you select everything that you would like to install, but before the files actually get installed, I received the following message, "The SQL Server 2005 Express Tools are installed. To continue, remove the SQL Server 2005 Express Tools."

Hmmmm. I didn't have the SQL Server 2005 Express Tools installed. The tools aren't in my Programs list, in the Start menu, or on my C: drive at all. How am I to uninstall something that isn't installed?

After searching the Internet, I found this helpful advice.....

Go into the Register and rename the following key

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\ShellSEM

Note: The affected 64-bit version key is:
HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\...
...\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\ShellSEM

I renamed my key to ShellSEM.old and the "System Configuration Check" ran smoothly from there.

I've read a lot in blogs about this being caused by Red Hat's SQL Prompt3 but I don't have SQL Prompt installed on this machine so try this trick (at your own risk of course) even if you aren't using Red Hat's SQL Prompt3.