Looking for a way to programatically, or otherwise, add a new instance of SQL 2005 Express Edition to a system that already has an instance installed. Traditionally, you run Micrsoft’s installer like I am in the command line below and it does the trick. Executing the command in my installer is not the issue, it’s more a matter of dragging around the 40 MBs of MS-SQL installer that I don’t need if they have SQL Express already installed. This is what my installer currently executes:
SQLEXPR32.EXE /qb ADDLOCAL=ALL INSTANCENAME=<instancename> SECURITYMODE=SQL SAPWD=<password> SQLAUTOSTART=1 DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS=0
I don’t need assistance with launching this command, rather the appropriate way to add a new instance of SQL 2005 Express without actually running the full installer again.
I’d go into great detail about why I want to do this but I’d simply bore everyone. Suffice to say, having this ability to create a new instance without the time it takes to reinstall SQL Express etc. would greatly assist me for the deployment of my application and it’s installer. If makes any difference to anyone, I’m using a combination of NSIS and Advanced Installer for this installation project.
After months/years of looking into this it appears it can’t be done. Oh well, I guess I just reinstall each time I want a new instance. I guess it’s because each instance is it’s own service.