Sql-server – can I copy-paste SQL Server 2005 Express on XP Pro or Vista machine and make it work without installer

installationsql serversql-server-2005windows

I am having installer problems on several machines trying to install SQL Server Express 2005 Express as well as later versions (but I would be happy with 2005 anyway). However, I do have one machine where it runs fine. So, is there a way to clone the installation by copy-pasting the files and then doing some magic to make it work? So far when I put the folder into another XP Pro machine and tried launch ssmsee.exe, it didn't start – command executed in cmd quietly and nothing happened.

Is this approach in fact doable with some relevant fixes? Or is the installer the only way?

Best Answer

No, you need to go through the installer to get SQL Express working on the other machines.

Related Solutions

How to automate Oracle DB installation (like a ‘hands-free’ install)

Two solutions:

Install Oracle manually the first time. Then zip all ORACLE_HOME and for future installation simply:

Unzip oracle_home into the new home
Run $ORACLE_HOME/bin/relink all
Run ./runInstaller -silent -attachHome ORACLE_HOME="<Oracle_Home_Location>" ORACLE_HOME_NAME="<Oracle_Home_Name>"

SID is a property of the database/instance and is separate from installation of the software.

Other solution (not my preferred but probably the preferred for mass deployment) is to create a response file. The sample is available in the installation dir:

<11g Disk>/database/response/enterprise.rsp

Copy this file, edit it and replace default values with your ones (mainly the path, install type, etc). Then run:

./runInstaller -silent -responseFile myresponsefile.rsp

You can also install the DB manually the first time and record the response file witht he command:

./runInstaller -record -destinationFile myresponsefile.rsp

The first one is my preferred because you can easily install and patch the database with the last PSU available, then you have a consolidated installation can be moved around. Of course all systems must be already prepared with needed packages.

SQL Server 2005 – How to Make a Copy from a Mirror Copy

You might try something like the following, replacing the db and table names ...

into desired_copy_db_name..tablename(col1, col2, ...)
select col1, col2, ...
from live_mirror_db_name..tablename

This would be after the structure of the copy_db had been created.

Best Answer

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How to automate Oracle DB installation (like a ‘hands-free’ install)

SQL Server 2005 – How to Make a Copy from a Mirror Copy

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