Install the full text search to an application running on SQL Server 2005 express.

Question

I have an application running on mssql 2005 express and I want to install the full text search.

What should I do?

Can I download the full text search service and install it separately.

Answer 1

Google is your friend: Using Full Text Search with SQL Server Express

Answer 2

To use Full Text Search you'll need SQL Server 2005 Express with Advanced Services. If you previously installed Express (standard), then (sadly) it isn't as simple as running the Advanced installer and adding Full-Text Search option to your existing install.

The error I got was:

Reason: Your upgrade is blocked. For more information about upgrade support, see the "Version and Edition Upgrades" and "Hardware and Software Requirements" topics in SQL Server 2005 Setup Help or SQL Server 2005 Books Online.

Build version check:

Your upgrade is blocked because the existing component is a later version than the version you are trying to upgrade to. To modify an existing SQL Server component, go to Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel, select the component you would like to modify, and then click Change/Remove.

There appears to be two solutions:

1. Backup and detach your existing databases and uninstall SQL Server 2005 Express. Then install SQL Server 2005 Express with Advanced Service (select Full Text Search as an option). Then re-attach all of your databases.
2. Run the Advanced installer and choose a new instance name. You'll have two instances of SQL Express running, but if it is for development purposes then it shouldn't be a big problem. This would be the fastest route to getting up and running with full-text search.

The following pages might also help:

1. Upgrading to SQL Server 2005 Express with Advanced Services
2. SQL Server 2005 Express with the Full-Text option greyed out

If you are going to choose the first path, then I would choose to install SQL Express 2008 Express with Advanced Services instead.