How do I configure a named instance in SQL EXPRESS 2008 R2?

  • I've installed a SQL Server 2008 R2 Express onto a user's machine (he's stuck on the east coast, due to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), and we'll be putting this onto all of our users' machines. Anyway, after installing it I expected the installation routine to prompt me to define an instance of SQL Server 2008 R2 Express, either the default instance or a named instance. It didn't, so I closed the installer. Now when I bring up SSMSE, and it wants to connect to an instance, there isn't one on his machine. So, how do I create a named instance?

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • When it installs, there's an option for the instance name. The installer defaults to SQLEXPRESS or some variation on that (it's been a few months since I installed 2008). It very definitely is in the installation wizard.

    I think it might skip that step if you pick a default option earlier in the wizard, but I wouldn't swear to that.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
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  • Great, then I must have missed it. OK, so how do I now add a named instance?

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • Run the installer again. It'll ask if you want to add a new instance or modify an existing one, when you get to the right step.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • I've run the installer again. It gets to the Feature Selection page, and there I'm stopped.

    As you can (I hope) see, the features are all selected, and disabled. When I try clicking on the Next button it complains because I've not selected anything. But it tells me that everything is selected. I'm confused; either it's all selected and installed and I can go on, but it won't let me.

    Addendum: OK, I tried to put a link to a picture I captured of the dialog box, first on SkyDrive and then on Flickr, but in each case it fails. I don't know why, but it does. So, here's the URL, sorry, you'll have to copy-and-paste into your browser's address bar.

    https://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Uploads/image-unavailable.png

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • That's only showing the client tools--there should be a section in there for the database engine as well. Are you sure this isn't just the Management Studio Express installer you're running, rather than the full database with advanced services installation? (I think the latter is a little over 700Mb, to give you an idea how big the installer should be).

    (Full installer is available here, FYI: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=25174)

  • Good question, Paul. I think I may have gotten the wrong download. I just checked and the name of the download is SQLManagementStudio_x86_ENU.exe, and it's about 156MB in size. I thought I was getting what I needed; I want the SQL Express engine and a management tool. The Advanced looked like it came with the SDK, which I thought wouldn't hurt. Perhaps I have gotten the wrong download, I'll take a look at the link you provided.

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • Well, Paul, that was it. I had only downloaded and installed Management Studio Express. Man, I feel so stupid. I'm sorry everyone, my bad.

    Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.

  • No problem.

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