dms
Posts: 164
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:11 am
Location: UK

sql server express with RAM pre condition

Hi

Aside from its better handling of large databases one of the advantages of the 64 bit version of sql express is its ability to make use of more memory if it happens to be available. Therefor if you are installing on a machine running a 64 bit os with more than 4gb of ram it makes sense to install the 64 bit version of sql server even if you know that the database that you intend it to handle may not be huge because you will at least gain from increased performance. conversely if you have a 64 bit os, but only 4 gb of ram and you know your database won't be that big then it makes more sense to go with the 32 bit version (given that it's a smaller download).

I can see no way to use the amount of ram available as an install condition for a prerequisite. Am I missing something or is this currently the case? If it is the case would you consider adding the amount of available ram on the machine as an install condition for prerequisites?

Dom
Dan
Posts: 4529
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:51 pm

Re: sql server express with RAM pre condition

Hello Dom,
I can see no way to use the amount of ram available as an install condition for a prerequisite. Am I missing something or is this currently the case?
Indeed, we don't have a predefined install condition in order to check the amount RAM installed or available on the target machine.

However, you can create your own custom executable (.EXE) which search the amount RAM installed or available on the target machine.

Then you can add a new search to the prerequisite install condition, the Search done by a custom executable option. This option enables you to specify your own EXE file. The setup will interpret the result based on the return code of your EXE. In case of the EXE finds a suitable version of the prerequisite, the returned value must be 0. Any other value will be interpreted as failure.

Also, you can take a look on the How do you get total amount of RAM the computer has? thread which may help you.

Please let us know if you have other questions.

Best regards,
Dan
Dan Ghiorghita - Advanced Installer Team
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