CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#sql-servervb.netdeploymentsql-server-2008-express
student
student

Reputation: 3

How can I setup an application that uses SQL Server 2008 Express on a machine that already has SQL Server 2005 Express

I have developed an application in VB.Net (VS2010) and make a setup & deployment that checked in prerequisites SQL Server 2008 Express.

When I install it on another system that use installed application that uses SQL Server 2005 Express, I get this error:

SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 1 (x64) cannot upgrade the existing instance of SQL Server 2005 Express (x64 WoW) named 'SQLEXPRESS'. Uninstall this instance of SQL Server 2005 Express and retry installing SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 1 (x64)

I think only one SQL Server Express can exist on a machine.

But I can't uninstall SQL Server 2005, because an application uses it.

What can I do in setup to prevent this error?

Thanks

Upvotes: 0

Views: 204

Answers (1)

marc_s
marc_s

Reputation: 754598

You can easily have multiple instances of SQL Server - any edition - on a machine at the same time.

The instances must have unique names, however.

So if the SQL Server 2005 Express is installed as SQLEXPRESS, then your SQL Server 2008 Express must be installed with a different instance name, e.g. SQLX2008 or whatever - just not SQLEXPRESS

And your application's config file of course must be updated to connect to that new, separate instance by its name.

Upvotes: 3

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