How to get SQL Server Setup file Location
Question
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 7:16 AM
Hi All,
I am requested to list out SQL Server setup file location but a bit confused with it, I can see two setup files in two different locations:
All Programms>Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2>Configuration Tools>SQL Server Installation Center (64bit)>Right Click>Open File Location: Directing to LandingPage
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\SQLServer2008R2\x64
But here below it is found the setup file location:
E:\Software\SW_DVD9_SQL_Svr_Enterprise_Edtn_2008_R2_English_MLF_X16-29
Here in case I have to install a new instance which one I have to select?
To repair the existing instance which setup file I have to select?
Please suggest.
Grateful to your time and support. Regards, Shiva
All replies (8)
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 7:42 AM ✅Answered
Hi Shiva,
After you download SQL Server from Microsoft site, you will extract the SQL Server setup files inside to a folder such as E:\Software\SW_DVD9_SQL_Svr_Enterprise_Edtn_2008_R2_English_MLF_X16-29 in your scenario. The folder contains 1033_enu_lp, resources, x64 and a bunch of files.
Run setup.exe from the above folder, SQL Server installation center wizard will show up and you can install new instance or repair existing SQL Server instance from the wizard. Also navigate to the "options" tab in SQL Server installation center wizard, you will find SQL Server setup file location from "Installation Media Root Directory” textbox.
For more details about how to repair SQL Server 2008 R2, please review this article.
Thanks,
Lydia Zhang
Lydia Zhang
TechNet Community Support
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 8:44 AM ✅Answered
Hi Shiva,
No matter you install a new SQL Server 2008 R2 instance or repair existing SQL Server 2008 R2 instance, you can start from the above installation center, but in the process you need to browser for folder where you put SQL Server 2008 R2 installation media. After that, you will be allowed to repair or install SQL Server instance in the installation center.
In addition, besides using installation center wizard to repair existing instance, you can also repair SQL Server instance from command prompt, which is described in my original post. The key is to navigate to the path that SQL Server 2008 R2 installation media locates in.
Thanks,
Lydia Zhang
Lydia Zhang
TechNet Community Support
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 9:52 AM ✅Answered
Hi Shiva,
Yes. The E:\Software\SW_DVD9_SQL_Svr_Enterprise_Edtn_2008_R2_English_MLF_X16-29 folder contains executable and a bunch of files for SQL Server 2008 R2 installation/repair. The setup.exe in the folder is the actual installation file.
Thanks,
Lydia Zhang
Lydia Zhang
TechNet Community Support
Wednesday, October 14, 2015 1:28 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote
Hi Shiva,
Yes. To repair your existing SQL Server, please ensure that the SQL Server setup file you provide matches the version and edition of your existing SQL Server.
Thanks,
Lydia Zhang
Lydia Zhang
TechNet Community Support
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 7:46 AM
For Repairing Existing instance
Launch SQL Server Installation Center (64-bit) from start Menu -> Click Maintenance in the left-hand navigation area, and then click Repair to start the repair operation
Another Option for Repairing - > Open Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features
Select - > Microsoft SQL Server 2008 - > Unistall/Change ->Then Click Repair
For New Installation - > Click Installation in the left-hand navigation area, and then click New Standalone ...
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 8:24 AM
Sorry for the ambiguity,
To be clear, we are maintaining few servers and want to propose implementations as per the Microsoft best practices.
In this perspective even we are short of details we want to upgrade Service Packs initially one after another but here our challenge is that these servers are earlier maintained by other DBA's and we are left with no useful information, in these scenarios specifically.
Now we don't have SQL Setup file location which is considering as a hurdle to install new instances & repair existing instance (if required) & rollback service pack may require un-install and install new instance in worst scenarios.
Now here we are drafting precautionary measures and roll back procedure hence collecting all available setup file locations:
In regards to my early question and as per my observation I have found that below location can direct to setup file:
All Programms>Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2>Configuration Tools>SQL Server Installation Center (64bit)>Right Click>Open File Location: Directing to LandingPage
**C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\**SQLServer2008R2\x64
from setup Bootstrap we can see log folder there Summary text file can be seen, here we can find the setup file location. Ok now it's clear for me on how to find the setup file location.
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143702.aspx
Please bare me, now my question is:
To repair an existing instance do we have to select installation center: All Programms>Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2>Configuration Tools>SQL Server Installation Center (64bit)>Run As Administrator
Since it is an already installed instance I can see it's setup file here "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\SQLServer2008R2"
Note: Just before x64 folder (as shown below)
(LandingPage Location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\SQLServer2008R2\x64)
So double click this installation center will allow us to repair existing instance?
In a case, even if client is not sure about setup file or if the setup file is not existed as shown in summary file (Note: It's not for the existing instance, common setup file for all new instances) and if we are requested to install a new instance can we use this instance specific setup file (as mentioned in the above location landing page, installation center) or does it restricted for that specific instance?
Please suggest
Grateful to your time and support. Regards, Shiva
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 9:38 AM
Hi Lidiya,
Thanks for your time,
Now I got better understanding on this scenario,
To install/repair we need to have a root setup file.
Means when we install a default or named instance its file are created in its provided location i.e. example: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\SQLServer2008R2\setup.exe here it creates a 'setup' file and this setup is not the actual setup file by which we have initiated our installation and it's actual setup file location is E:\Software\SW_DVD9_SQL_Svr_Enterprise_Edtn_2008_R2_English_MLF_X16-29\setup.exe
Installation from E:\Software\SW_DVD9_SQL_Svr_Enterprise_Edtn_2008_R2_English_MLF_X16-29\setup.exe is the root and open to install any instances or repair.
Where as C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\SQLServer2008R2\setup.exe is instance specific which can't be used for repair or install new instance.
Even we use installation center it should be browsed from E:\Software\SW_DVD9_SQL_Svr_Enterprise_Edtn_2008_R2_English_MLF_X16-29\setup.exe as it the actual installation file.
Am I correct, apologies if still I am confused. Please suggest
Grateful to your time and support. Regards, Shiva
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 10:06 AM
Really grateful to your assistance on this Lydia.
So based on this conversation I request client to provide setup file for an instance on which I have observed there is no setup file. I believe having setup file in place is handy and helps me to repair the instances in worst scenarios if the service pack fails, is this a right approach? Please suggest.
Grateful to your time and support. Regards, Shiva