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chupaulFlag for United States of America

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How to delete Default Instance Sql Server 2005 Complelely and keep named Sql2005 Instance

Hi all,

Background: Installation of Sql 2005 - had problem with missing SSRS.

I originally installed Sql2005 default instance on my Dell / Vista Laptop.
I had trouble with NOT seeing Reporting Services installed ( because of IIS7 not being configured right).
and then used the screen to "uninstall" the Default Instance.

I then configued IIS7 correctly and reinstalled Sql 2005 using a named instance Sql2005
and Reporting Services installed fine this time.
So, I then try to UPGRADE to  Sql 2005 sp2 and I can't because the installer is
still "seeing" the original "Default Instance".
Also, the Windows Services was still showing the Original Instance too.

Q. How do I delete the named instance completely, so that I can run my Sql 2005 sp2 upgrade on my named instance ?

Is this easy to do ?

Thanks, Paul
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Kevin Cross
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When you run installs / uninstalls, they ask which instance.  You simply run the uninstall and select the default instance.  The named instanced and its corresponding services/files should remain.  
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ASKER

I meant to say, how to COMPLETELY delete the Default Instance not the named instance Sql2005 (default instance  vestiges still there ), the Upgrade installer still sees the default instance ( Service) it ? and tries to upgrade it and fails ?

I believe the Default Instance is already uninstalled as I tried to Uninstall below and only see the
named instance Sql2005 and the SqlExpressinstance.

Control Panel > Programs and Features

    MS Sql Server 2005 Uninstall

X  Remove Sql Server 2005 instance components
        -  Sql2005: Analysis services, Database Engine, Reporting Services
        -  SqlExpress: Database Engine

   Remove Sql Server 2005 Common Components
   - Integration Services
   - Notification Services
   - Workstation Components

Thanks, Paul
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ASKER

More specifically, I still see the Default Instance in the Services.

Windows Services on Vista is still showing the Default Sql Server instance


Name                        Status   Startup Type  Logon As

-- default Instance
Sql Server (MSSSQLSERVER)             Disabled     .\Paul
Sql Server Agent (MSSQLSERVER)        Disabled     .\Paul
Sql Server Anaylsis Services ( MSSQLSERVER ) Disabled  .\Paul


-- My named instance: SQL2005
Sql Server Agent (SQL2005)   Started  Automatic    Local System
Sql Server (Sql2005)        Started   Automatic    Local System
Sql Server Anaylsis Services ( SQL2005 ) Started   Automatic    Local System
... more ....

-- SQLEXPRESS
Sql Server (SQLEXPRESS)     Started   Automatic    Network Service

Thanks, Paul
>Windows Services on Vista is still showing the Default Sql Server instance
you can delete those entries in the registry, if a reboot does not clean them up.
the "uninstall" might indeed not be able to remove the service without a reboot.

otherwise, you can remove those entries in the registry (at your own risk, obviously)
Avatar of chupaul

ASKER

angelIIII,

Thanks, a little more detail please.
Can you provide instructions on deleting the entries ?
What is the risk ? named instance won't work ?

What is the alternative ? Uninstall everything.
How to wipe out all instances and start over ?

Thanks, Paul
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Avatar of Guy Hengel [angelIII / a3]
Guy Hengel [angelIII / a3]
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>What is the risk?
it's mainly the same sentence, ms tells you when thy suggest modifying things in the registry

>named instance won't work ?
if you do the "job" correctly, no
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ASKER

angeliiii,

I will delete the
MSSQLServer entry

Should I delete these other entries and these Services should also be removed on reboot ?
MSSQLServerOlapService - Analysis Services
MSSQLServerADHelper - ??? Active Directory ( I don't think I need it )

Thanks, Paul
if the service is marked as disabled, yes, you can delete the key indeed.
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Ok, after deleting multiple Registry entries and rebooting, the default Sql Server services were gone and I was able to run the Sql Server 2005 sp2 setup on the remaining named instance.

Thanks, angeliiii
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ASKER

expert should have provided help on locating all the Sql Server services that needed to removed from the default Sql Server instance install
e.g. Full Text Search, Sql Server Agent, Analysis Services etc.
in addition to the default Sql Server instance