Hello, I have downloaded MSDE to use with asp.net from microsoft, on the asp.net website it says to open it from the command line by using

cd C:\sql2ksp3\MSDE

Setup SAPWD=********* SecurityMode=SQL

I have done this and Windows Installer opens but I get this error:

Setup Failed to configure the server. Refer to the server error logs and setup error logs for more information

Does anyone know whats happening?

Are you sure you downloaded MSDE or just Service Pack3 for MSDE?
What link do you use to download? You might just get your Office2000 CD to install MSDE as it is on there, then just apply SP3a

Ok I found it on my Office XP cd, I ran the setup then after it 'configured' MSDE setup it closed, I tried to run setup again but I get this error

This installation package could not be opened. Verify that the package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid windows installer package.

This is the link to the one i downloaded http://asp.net/msde/Default.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1 - http://asp.net/msde/Default.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1

Thanks, Mart.

Check in your Program Files directory if there is a Microsoft SQL Server Directory. It should have removed everything on a failed setup but you never know.

The Error message itself can have a few causes. For example if you install off a network share and the sharename is longer then 12 characters. Past the complete sentence to support.microsoft.com and fish the description that best matches your circumstance. If that does not work, get back here as something can be figured out. Also check your event log if it gave you a hint.

Ok I think I found the problem, on the ms website it says you can get that error because a corrupted installer was cached. So I did what they said and the installer Opened Wahey! But it closed again after it was 'preparing'.

What is wrong with it?

Ok ignore that last post, I have got SQL Server Manager working and asp.net webmatrix has found the server. But I can't create databases or anything because it says I have the wrong username, what is the default username for SQL Server? And how do I change it?

Thanks, Mart

Hi Mart,

Log in as user "sa" (without the quotes) using the password you specified as SAPWD when you did your install.

To connect from the command line, you would type

osql -Usa -P*****

this should log you into the master database of the default server.  You can create your new databases from here or use a third party tool.

Bruce 

hmm that doesn't seem to work either, this is the error i get from the commmand line Login failed for user 'sa'. Reason: Not associated with a trusted sql server connection.

How do I acociated trusted connections?

Thanks, Mart.

Go to regedit then

HKEY_Local_Machine>Microsoft>MSSSQLServer>MSSSQLServer> and change the Value for LoginMode to 2 this will change you SQL to be in Mixed mode. Gotta restart the service though. After that you will be able to login with sa as described above.

Thanks michael i can login now, i have created a database using the ASP.NET Web Matrix wizard but I don't know how to make tables. I Tried creating a DSN for it and exporting my old access db into it but it hasn't come up. How do I edit databases and tables etc.

Thanks, Mart.

Thanks michael im using this one http://www.webattack.com/get/dbamgr2.shtml - http://www.webattack.com/get/dbamgr2.shtml  if anyone else needs one. This is the final question then im sorted . Could someone connect to my server get in with username 'sa' and no password (I tried it with no password and it works!). If so how can I put a password on the 'sa' account?

Thanks, Mart.

There's also an MS tool somewhere that will scan all servers for blank SA passwords.

Mart, if you had that problem then it also probably means you haven't installed any service packs, as they won't allow a blank sa password (by default) any more.

Suggest you download them from Microsoft when you get a chance.

Cheers,
Andrew