SQL Server 2012 Silent Installation – Password for Services

sql-server-2012

I am a database developer and I have a task to prepare silent installation of SQL Server 2012 using configuration file.
I have a problem with passwords for server services like: RSSVCACCOUNT="NT Service\ReportServer"

During normal installation with user interface there is no need to specify passwords for services. I assume that setup generates random passwords or they are handled by Windows virtual accounts.

However when I use configuration file then setup expect to provide a password either in the file or in the command prompt.

My question is why do I have to provide a password with silent installation while it is no needed during normal installation.
Is there a way to silently install SQL Server without specifying passwords for services?

Best Answer

Just to preserve this as an answer for future readers:

I have seen this type of failure before. Somehow something still knows that that managed account had been created already and therefore now requires a password.

Try your install script against a newly setup VM.

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Because SQL Server 2012 isn't out yet, and we're dealing with beta code, this is probably best handled as a support request at Connect.Microsoft.com. Include all of your logs, and they may be able to diagnose it.

If you do want to pursue it here, include the full build number that you're using, and expect to hear people answer with, "You should try again with the latest release candidate."

Sql-server – SQL Server 2012 installation silently fails

If this is RTM, I would recommend slipstreaming SP1 + the latest CU into setup before installing, and making sure you install from a local source rather than an ISO, network folder, external drive, etc.

To slipstream you can just download SP1 (likely SQLServer2012SP1-KB2674319-x64-ENU.exe) and/or a CU (CU3 is here; CU4 should be released any moment now) to a folder (say C:\SP1Updates\), extract the files (you should end up with .exe files like SQLServer2012-KBxxxxxxx-x64.exe and you can ignore or get rid of the source 4xxxxx_intl_x64_zip.exe files) and then run setup from a command line like so:

setup.exe /UpdateEnabled=1 /UpdateSource="C:\SP1Updates\"

Or you can download the slipstreamed ISO from here (they have slipstream in the name, just note they contain SP1 but no CU):

Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) (download link)

Some blog posts that go into greater detail about slipstreaming:

You might also try the technique here, and you should be able to use slipstream here as well if you want (you'll just need to use a different PatchLevel, 11.00.3000.00 I believe):

SQL 2008/2008 R2/2012 setup disappears/fails when installing Setup Support files

In case that blog post disappears, I'm going to steal the content and paraphrase (since part of the instructions seem incorrect):

Save the following in a .reg file and merge to populate the registry:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Bootstrap]
"BootstrapDir"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft SQL Server\\110\\Setup Bootstrap\\"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Bootstrap\Setup]
"PatchLevel"="11.00.2100.60"
Next, copy ~~the following files and folders from~~ all of the media to:
 C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Setup Bootstrap\SQLServer2012
Next, run setup from the new location, and it should proceed beyond the point of error this time.

(Note that I haven't tried this technique.)

Best Answer

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