Question

I have an instance with a certain name in SQL Server Express 2005, and I want to install SQL Server Express 2008, and having the SAME INSTANCE NAME, since the old app version I’m trying to installer comes with a SQL Server Express 2005 installer, and the new one with SQL Server Express 2008 installer.

I don’t want users to uninstall the old application (and thus the SQL Server Express 2005 instance), so would it be possible to have something like and “upgrade” of the instance?

I’m using a bootstrapper with the following line:

<Command PackageFile="SQLEXPR32_x86_ENU.EXE"
         Arguments='/q /hideconsole /action=Upgrade /features=SQL /instancename=DUBOCALC 
                   /enableranu=1 /sqlsvcaccount="NT Authority\Network Service" 
                   /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS="Builtin\Users" /skiprules=RebootRequiredCheck'
         EstimatedInstalledBytes="225000000"
         EstimatedInstallSeconds="420">

Thanks a lot everybody in advance!

Answer 1

You can’t have the same Instance name or use the same port. Each instance must be unique in these regards.

You have to do an “in-situ” upgrade