SQL Server install unable to find access path

Question

SQL Server install unable to find access path

Pablo 96

Hi

Trying to install in my Win10 SQL Server Express (Developer too) I find this error:

Exit code (Decimal): -2147024893
Exit message: No se puede encontrar una parte de la ruta de acceso 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20211031_145834'.

The exit message translates as something like "Impossible to find access path".

This happens trying to install it either in C or in D.

Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-10-31T19:51:51.037+00:00

So do you have that path on your machine? And if you don't, which part is missing?

Are you trying to install an English or a Spanish version of SQL Server? I take that your Windows is a Spanish version?

What anti-malware software are you running?
Pablo 96 Reputation points

2021-10-31T20:02:43.067+00:00

Assuming that the path is : 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20211031_145834'... The path doesn't exists before the installation because I don´t have SQL Server, I guess.
After the failed installation it does not exists either, but a similar one exists in D ('D:\System\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20211031_164829').

My Windows is in Spanish but I'm trying to install the English version.

I'm running Windows Defender.
Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-10-31T20:11:48.903+00:00

Normally, Setup creates one folder for each installation attempt. Actually, I think it creates one for the so-called landing page, and then one for the installation itself.

Have you made any changes to the default settings for ProgramFilesDir, since you are trying the D: drive? Could this confuse Setup?

Is the non-existing path always on C:, even if you attempt to install on D?

And when I asked for the path, I had the entire path in mind. That is, is there a C:\Program Files, a C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server etc?

Answer accepted by question author

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Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-10-31T19:51:51.037+00:00

So do you have that path on your machine? And if you don't, which part is missing?

Are you trying to install an English or a Spanish version of SQL Server? I take that your Windows is a Spanish version?

What anti-malware software are you running?
Pablo 96 Reputation points

2021-10-31T20:02:43.067+00:00

Assuming that the path is : 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20211031_145834'... The path doesn't exists before the installation because I don´t have SQL Server, I guess.
After the failed installation it does not exists either, but a similar one exists in D ('D:\System\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Setup Bootstrap\Log\20211031_164829').

My Windows is in Spanish but I'm trying to install the English version.

I'm running Windows Defender.
Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-10-31T20:11:48.903+00:00

Normally, Setup creates one folder for each installation attempt. Actually, I think it creates one for the so-called landing page, and then one for the installation itself.

Have you made any changes to the default settings for ProgramFilesDir, since you are trying the D: drive? Could this confuse Setup?

Is the non-existing path always on C:, even if you attempt to install on D?

And when I asked for the path, I had the entire path in mind. That is, is there a C:\Program Files, a C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server etc?

Answer 1

Pablo 96

I've changed the default new programs path in the friendly UI more than once (from C to D and viceversa), but the registers are setted like this:

It does not matter if I try to install on C or D, the folders are created in the same way (some in C, others in D) and the error keeps unchanged.

After the attempt to install it is created in C this path: 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\150', but then the coincidence with the required path ends, because that folder only contains another one called "SSEI".

Maybe it is the ProgramFilesDir register, as you say...

Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-10-31T20:42:43.163+00:00

I will have to admit that I don't know about the friendly UI. In those days I played with ProgramFilesDir, I did it through the register, but I guess that was long before the friendly UI. These days I leave it untouched.

The above looks mess in that some are on C and others are D. I would suggest that you clean up so that all is either on C or on D, reboot and start over.
Pablo 96 Reputation points

2021-10-31T21:18:29.523+00:00

Thank you, it worked :)

Answer 2

henry crist 0

It also worked for me. Thanks.

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SQL Server install unable to find access path

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