SQL Server Express Example Installer

[jjreilly66]

I've tried for days and cannot get an installer for SQL Server Express 2014 SP2 x64. I have added it as a prerequisite. The SQL Express log says

SQL Server installation media on a network share or in a custom folder can cause installation failure if the total length of the path exceeds 260 characters. To correct this issue, utilize Net Use functionality or shorten the path name to the SQL Server setup.exe file.

The path that is too long is

C:\Users\softwright\AppData\Roaming\WeaselSoft\TestingSqlServerExpress\prerequisites\SQL Server Express 2014 SP2\SQLEXPR_x64_ENU\x64\setup\

I'm not even sure *WHY* it is extracting into AppData, or how to change that.

Ultimately, I want to run setup with the /QS flag and a configuration file that I've created. This does work from a command line.

I've attached my project. Maybe I did something obvious.

I'd appreciate either a working example installer or help in figuring out how to fix what I've got.

Thanks.

[Sorin]

Hello and welcome to our forum,

The maximum path length supported by Windows is 260 characters. The behaviour you encounter is triggered by a limitation of the SQL Server installation. Because it uses some long paths to install, the setup needs to be located in a path with a shorter length to keep all the paths necessary for the installation under 260 characters.

You could avoid this error by choosing another extraction folder for the SQL Server Express prerequisite. To achieve this go to "Prerequisites" page, select "SQL Server Express 2014 SP2 x64" prerequisite from the "Predefined Prerequisites" list and edit the "Download/extraction" folder from "Global Prerequisite Options". You could, for example use a short path like "c:\Prerequisites".

Best regards,
Sorin

[jjreilly66]

Thanks for your reply. I knew about the path limit. I was asking about how to change the extract folder, which you answered. It seems to me to be less than optimal for your pre-packaged prerequisite to not just work without changing this. No matter. I'm beyond that.

Can you please explain this prerequisite installation progress. It looks like AI knows that SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe is the self-extracting archive containing SQL Server Express. So AI knows to run that to extract the SQL Server Express installation package. Then it seems that it knows to run the "setup.exe" file to do the installation. Is that correct? Where in AI do I put the command line arguments to setup.exe?

Is there a benefit / drawback to unzipping SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe and including those files explicitly in my installer?

Is a working example available? Even a different version of SQL Server Express would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Eusebiu]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I knew about the path limit. I was asking about how to change the extract folder, which you answered. It seems to me to be less than optimal for your pre-packaged prerequisite to not just work without changing this. No matter. I'm beyond that.

We will consider your suggestion, thank you.

Can you please explain this prerequisite installation progress. It looks like AI knows that SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe is the self-extracting archive containing SQL Server Express. So AI knows to run that to extract the SQL Server Express installation package. Then it seems that it knows to run the "setup.exe" file to do the installation. Is that correct? Where in AI do I put the command line arguments to setup.exe?

It is not Advanced Installer that knows everything about the SQL Server Express installation, the "SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe" package does that. Advanced Installer only launches that package and waits for a return value from it. In case a command line is sent to that package, it sends it further to the "setup.exe" file.

Is there a benefit / drawback to unzipping SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe and including those files explicitly in my installer?

I'm not aware of an benefit/drawback to unzipping the "SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe" package and including the files in your installer, but since that package does all the job, it is recommended to keep it as it is.

Is a working example available? Even a different version of SQL Server Express would be appreciated.

Unfortunately, I do not have an example project where the files are extracted from the "SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe" package, but you can test this in a new project.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[jjreilly66]

I have spent 5 days trying to get SQL Server Express to install by including the prerequisite. No joy.

After hardwiring the extract package, I get past that. Then it would hang up executing the SQL Server Express's install .NET action. I got around that by adding .NET as a prerequisite. Then it would hang up executing the SQL Server Express's install VC++ 2010 redistributable action. I got around that by adding both the 32-bit and 64-bit redistributables as prerequisites. At this point, it hangs running the install action for something like "SQL Tools"; I don't remember the exact string.

It just doesn't work. I tried the /SkipInstallerRunCheck flag. That doesn't help.

I'd be interested to know if *anyone* has gotten SQL Server Express 2014 to install with AI. I can't make it happen.

[Eusebiu]

Hi,

I'm not sure why you encounter these issues. SQL Server Express was installed as a prerequisites many times from Advanced Installers without problems. Can you reproduce the problems on multiple clean machines?

Since the prerequisite is added in the "pre-install" section, the "/SkipInstallerRunCheck" is not needed. If you want to install it as a feature-based or post-install prerequisite you need, indeed, to use that flag as described in the "How can I install the SQL Server as a feature-based prerequisite" FAQ. Also, you can download this sample which installs the SQL Server Express 2014 SP1 as a prerequisite using a configuration file.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[jjreilly66]

This example installer also fails for me. I'm testing in a virtual machine running Windows 7 Home x64. I have a clean VM which consists of just the install from an original DVD years ago. I simply copy it to create a new, clean operating system, so I'm able to test repeatedly from a machine with nothing other than what came with the OS.

It also hangs on the action that tries to install the x64 .NET framework.

I am working on reimaging a computer, rather than using a VM.

[Eusebiu]

Hi,

In order to see the reason why SQL installation fails on your test machine, you can read the following log file:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Summary.txt

Indeed, I noticed that the SQL installation fails with my INI file because the password from it is to simple. I changed it to "SimpleSQLTest1234." and it worked as expected.

Also, please try to send the "/SkipInstallerRunCheck" command line argument to the prerequisite, not the "/SKIPINSTALLERRUNCHECK=1" one that seems to cause problems.

Can you test the above configurations and see if the prerequisites installation works?

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[skywalker]

Ok thank you, this is working for me.

But how can I do this that the files will be automatically extracted? Actually he is asking where to extract the SQL Express files.

thx

[Eusebiu]

Hi,

In order for the files to be automatically extracted, you can install the prerequisite fully silent by sending the "/q" switch to it.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[jjreilly66]

Thank you, Eusebiu!

I tried both of your suggestions. At least one of them fixed the installation.

I appreciate your help!

-reilly.

[Eusebiu]

You're welcome Reilly. I'm glad I could help.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[skywalker]

Hi,

In order for the files to be automatically extracted, you can install the prerequisite fully silent by sending the "/q" switch to it.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

When I put the SQL Express install in the "Pre-Install" I get a error with /q
How to solve this?
Errormessage: SQL Server Express 2014 SP1 x86 mandotory prerequisite was not correctly installed.


"Feature-based" it is working but he is asking me the Install Type "Server" or "Client". How can I set it that he should use the "Server"?


thanks

[Eusebiu]

Hi

When I put the SQL Express install in the "Pre-Install" I get a error with /q
How to solve this?
Errormessage: SQL Server Express 2014 SP1 x86 mandotory prerequisite was not correctly installed.

This error message appears if the prerequisite cannot be installed correctly. Can you send me your project, so I can take a look of the prerequisite configuration?

"Feature-based" it is working but he is asking me the Install Type "Server" or "Client". How can I set it that he should use the "Server"?

Is this a prerequisite dialog or a dialog from the main package? Can you please give me more details (maybe a screenshot with the dialog)?

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[skywalker]

Just for your info.
I went through everything again clean, now it works.

I appreciate your help, thanks