David McKillen WebStrategies Inc.

So if you suddenly realize your Web host for whatever reason decided to “upgrade” your database from MS SQL Server Management Studio Express 2005 to MS SQL Server Management Studio Express 2008 and find yourself in a predicament attempting to push the square peg in the round hole then rest easy you are not alone.

I came across this issue myself not so long ago. I thought to myself – ok this will be easy peasy lemon squeasy, I’ll just upgrade from 2005 to 2008. The problem was every time I tried, the install would just literally disappear. I tried the usual gauntlet of fixes, restart, unsintall etc. yadda yadda … to no avail. Luckily I managed to find a fix that at least worked for me and HOPEFULLY might help you too!

Here’s the fix:

1) Make sure you download Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 as I’m thinking this is why the the install keeps getting booted off for no reason.

2) Then simply select SQL Server Management Studio Express from the list of options made available here at the SQL Server 2008 R2 download site.

Works a treat for me!

David McKillen WebStrategies Inc.