sql server 2008 and 2005 on same machine?

Question

I already have sql server 2008 installed and now need to install 2005 express as well. When I try this, the installation fails with: "An installation package for the product Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer cannot be found" - any ideas anyone?

Answer 1

Yes, you can definitely have both SQL Server 2005 (any edition) and SQL Server 2008 (any edition) on the same machine. But of course - you cannot have both be the default instance (which you access without specific instance name). Typically that's not a problem since the Express editions default to the .\SQLEXPRESS instance name. Just something to remember when installing.

HOWEVER: you need to make sure to first install your SQL Server 2005 and then the 2008 edition. It won't work the other way around, unfortunately.

So in your case: you'll need to first uninstall SQL Server 2008m, then install SQL Server 2005 Express and SQL Server 2008 on top of that again.