Install sql express 2005 and backup database on application install

Question

Hi
I have a c# wpf application that requires SQL Express 2005 database and I want to deploy Sql Express with my application. So I googled but didn't find any valuable information how to create an installer that will

  1. install Sql Express 2005 and 
  2. restore my backup database 

before my project installetion? I have tried to install SqlExpr.exe silently with custom actions in visual studios setup project, but it is not possible, because 2 msi installers can't run in the same time. So Is there any free and easy to use tool that supports this type of installer scripts , or I have to write custom exe that will install this all. please provide an example.

EDIT

Is Click Once the case? I want to have installer files in one place, and don't want installetion from the server, as click once suggests.

Thanks a lot

Answer 1

We have similar needs in one of our installers. Our solution was to write a "bootstrapper" exe like you mentioned. We use the exe to shell out the sql express installation and then our own MSI sequentially.