How to Bootstrap SQL Server 2008 Express SP1?

Question

I am trying to bootstrap SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 into my application. Previously I used Wise for Windows to perform the prerequisite installation, but Wise doesn't support Windows Installer 4.5 yet.

I am now trying to use the Visual Studio 2008 bootstrap technology with WiX 3.0, and have had good success getting the SQL Server prerequisites, and am able to get the manifest for SQL Express 2008 but not SP1. Also, I need to be able to localize the SQLAccount, but I won't be able to do that through modifying package.xml AFAIK. In my previous solution, using Wise, I was able to collect the localized string from the target system and pass the parameter directly to the installer command line.

So really, two questions:

1. Where can I find the bootstrap manifest files for SP1 (or can I make them?)

2. How can I localize the SQLAccount since it appears that the command line parameters are decided at compile time with the Visual Studio bootstrapper.

Answer 1

I only have a maybe solution for yout first question: VS.NET 2008 Bootstrapper for SQL Server 2008 Express Edition with Tools

As the title states it also installs the tools and because of that Powershell but hey at least you got sp1.

Answer 2

Hello Rob, I wonder if you can help please? Did you ever get a simple small solution to the Bootstrap SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 issue. Our new installer for salon software is failing on Windows 7 due to it being 2008 final release not the SP1. Currently after reaserch and seeing yours and no solution i am going to try to find/gen the public key and add the direct download link to the bottom of the package.xml as i have a good working version with prerequisites thats fine XP and Vista. Goalposts keep moving for us developer/releasers. not nice.

Idea: Find the http:// direct file and pop it in at the bottom instead of the 2008 Final link? (below has the greater than less than symbols removed it did not like them)

Strings String Name="DisplayName" SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 /String

String Name="Culture" en /String

String Name="SqlExpr32SP1Exe" ht p://downl oad.microsoft.com/download/SP1-direct-Link??????????????

Thanks, Craig

http://www.SalonSoftwareSystem.com

Answer 3

Hi, many thanks for the response,

but what you are suggesting sounds like a very inefficient knowledge base. based on the fact that google indexes this new or old and a google search can find it new or old. I find it odd to suggest asking the EXACT same question twice in a knowledge base. I would say that this question is not 'closed' satifactoraly as I am asking the same question and this did not help. To take this to an extreme example imagine if there was only one place ont he web that people asked questions and there was only one answer below that question. It wouldmake life a lot easier. (assuming the question was not an open to opinion question!?)

If you are a moderator here I really don't think you should be suggesting this to me. I understand based on the text that it seems answered, and you may not have specific knowledge in this exact area, but from my reply it is obviously not answered.

I also assumed that having given my email that the person I am asking would get the message via email as an update to this thread, that would be very sensible.

Finally if it is 'closed' I should not be able to post on it.

Thanks anyhow,

Craig

Answer 4

You can use the VS 2010 RC or later to bootstrap SQL Express 2008 SP1. WiX 3.5 works there and will allow it.