Sql-server – SQL Server 2005 upgrade service pack via command line

sql server

I have been wracking my brain over upgrading sql server 2005 to sql server 2005 sp4. I have a script for installing new instances of sql servers for all versions and they all work wonderfully. Problem is, sql server 2012 can't upgrade sql 2005 SP3 and below. So, I have to install up to sql 2005 SP4, AND THEN upgrade through sql 2012, which is highly annoying.

I need to do this silently via the command line, but I cannot get it to work at all. Here are some samples I tried:

 "SQLSP4.exe /qb /ACTION=Upgrade /INSTANCENAME="FOOBAR""
 "SQLSP4.exe /quiet /instancename="FOOBAR""

among a couple other variations. I could not find anything online at all. In fact, the one helpful thread ended in saying that Microsoft didn't have any support for this, but I'm not sure about that.

What can be done here? Does anyone have any experience in updating service packs via command line?

Best Answer

I have used below in past to upgrade all instances running sql 2005 to SP4. Just put this in a .bat file 

@echo off
set hour=%time:~0,2%
if "%hour:~0,1%"==" " set hour=0%time:~1,1%
echo      Started at %date% %time%
SQLServer2005SP4-KB2463332-x64-ENU.exe /allinstances /quiet

echo      Completed at %date% %time%
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