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.

Fixing MySQL Server 5.0.51a Installation on Vista

There is nothing worse than trying to install something and it blows up. Well, yes, having to HACK it to get it to work is far worse.....but you have to do it to get MySQL Server 5.0.51a to install on a 32-bit version of Vista (I hear it is a problem on 64-bit Vista also).

To install MySQL Server 5.0.51a in Vista
1. Disable the UAC in Windows Control Panel->User Accounts
2. Use mysql-essential-5.0.51a-win32.msi
3. In the final step uncheck "Configure MySQL Server now"
4. Download and run Resource Hacker http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/
5. Open ...\MySQL Server 5.0\bin\MySQLInstanceConfig.exe with Resource Hacker
6. Navigate to 24\1\1033
7. Change

to

8. Press "Compile script"
9. Exit Resource Hacker and save the result (overwrite the initial MySQLInstanceConfig.exe)
10. Now MySQLInstanceConfig.exe should start normally.
11. Configure the server.
12. Sometimes the server doesn't start:
a) Check Windows Firewall settings (3306/TCP)
b) Try changing the compability mode for the file ...\MySQL Server 5.0\bin\mysqld-nt.exe to Windows XP-SP2.
13. That's all.