Creating a new named instance

As understand it, the only way to add another SQL Express 2005 named instance is to run SQLEXPR32.EXE again.However, when you to, right at the end, you get the following error message:

"An installation package for the product MS SQLK Server VSS Writer cannot be found.Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package 'SQLWriter.msi'"

So, I deleted all named instances, and the repeated the procedure and did not get this error and it installed fine. Obviously, I would not be able to delete all instances, but in this case it didn't matter.

So, here are my questions:

Question 1) Am I correct you must rerun SQLEXPR32.EXE to create a new named instance? (I think the answer is yes)

Question 2) Is there a way to rename an existing named instance?(I think the answer is no)

Question 3) The install/uninstall for SQLEXPR32.EXE is incredibly buggy. I have spend days trying to remove an named instance with no succes. Once your remove all named instances from Control Pannel, you stll have not removed SQL Express 2005.How do you remove it?We are considering other avenues because of the incredible problems with this product. Also, we inadvertantly installed SQL Express 2005 Advanced Services, when we meant to install SQL Express 2005, so we would like to uninstall Advance Serviuces and reinstall SQL Express 2005

Question 4) I am switching from the Outlook Express newsgroups to these groups. In the context of these groups, what is the difference betwee a Forum and a Newsgroup?

Thanks

Bob

hi Bob,

BobInIndy wrote:

As understand it, the only way to add another SQL Express 2005 named instance is to run SQLEXPR32.EXE again. However, when you to, right at the end, you get the following error message:

"An installation package for the product MS SQLK Server VSS Writer cannot be found. Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package 'SQLWriter.msi'"

you can try unpacking the SQLExpress installer and manual install SQLWriter.msi and, eventually, SQL Native Client msi as well, as this is usually the one causing problems.. but your case does not indicates it..

So, I deleted all named instances, and the repeated the procedure and did not get this error and it installed fine. Obviously, I would not be able to delete all instances, but in this case it didn't matter.

So, here are my questions:

Question 1) Am I correct you must rerun SQLEXPR32.EXE to create a new named instance? (I think the answer is yes)

yes..

Question 2) Is there a way to rename an existing named instance? (I think the answer is no)

no

[quote]

Question 3) The install/uninstall for SQLEXPR32.EXE is incredibly buggy. I have spend days trying to remove an named instance with no succes. Once your remove all named instances from Control Pannel, you stll have not removed SQL Express 2005. How do you remove it? We are considering other avenues because of the incredible problems with this product. Also, we inadvertantly installed SQL Express 2005 Advanced Services, when we meant to install SQL Express 2005, so we would like to uninstall Advance Serviuces and reinstall SQL Express 2005

some times you have to manually remove phantoms accessing file system and registry, as described in here and/or here ..

Question 4) I am switching from the Outlook Express newsgroups to these groups. In the context of these groups, what is the difference betwee a Forum and a Newsgroup?

newsgroup are another community type, usually diffused and accessed via NNTP protocol, where forums have been designed for web access, usually with additional features like link sections, tips section and the like.. anyway this one should be consider a forum, AFAIK..

regards