Microsoft SQL Server Express fails to install on a Windows XP SP3 operating system during updating of MSXML 6.

Note:  This information only applies to Windows XP with Service Pack 3 installed.  It does not apply to earlier service packs or other operating system versions.

Background:

Prior to service pack 3 for Windows XP, core MSXML 6 files were distributed and managed as a separate installable package.   With Service Pack 3, these files were moved into the Windows Protected Files under control of the operating system.  The installation service pack 3 does not remove the previous versions of MSXML 6, making it an orphaned program on the system that cannot be removed using standard procedures.  Even though the MSXML 6 package may be listed in “Currently installed programs:” (Figure 1) in Add or Remove Programs, the “Remove” button will not uninstall the package on Windows XP service pack 3.

Figure 1: Screen shot of installed programs after upgrading Windows XP service pack 2 with MSXML 6 installed to Windows XP service pack 3.

 

The fact that MSXML 6 is now managed by the operating system can be seen in Add or Remove Programs by checking the “Show updates” checkbox control.  The MSXML 6 package is listed as security update in the Windows XP updates (KB954459).

In cases where MSXML 6 was installed prior to Windows XP service pack 3, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express (a prerequisite for ProMax) can fail to install.  During the installation, the SQL Express installer attempts to check the configuration of the MSXML 6 files and fails just as the removal process fails.  The failure reported by the MSXML 6 installer then aborts the installation of other products included in SQL Express Setup that rely on XML even though MSXML 6 is loaded on the system (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Screen shot of Microsoft SQL 2005 Express setup dialog showing failure to install/update MSXML 6 and dependent products.

 

At that point, two dialogs normally appear indicating that SQL Server 2005 Express failed to install (Figure 3).  The top window labeled “Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Setup” dialog asks whether to send a report to Microsoft while the next window “BR&E ProMax” asks if you want to continue the ProMax installation.

Figure 3: Screen shot of a failed Microsoft SQL 2005 Express install initialed by a ProMax installer.

 

Resolution:

1)      Close and cancel out of all ProMax setup windows.

2)      Download and install the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility.

a.      Click the link below or open a web browser and enter the following URL: http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/9/d/e9d80355-7ab4-45b8-80e8-983a48d5e1bd/msicuu2.exe

b.      Press the “Run” button in the following dialog:

c.       Once downloaded, press the next “Run” button to start the utility installation.

d.      Now press the “Next” button in the following dialog:

e.      Read the License Agreement, select the accept radio button and press the “Next” button.

f.        Press the “Next” button when ready to install.

g.      The installation process will then start and when the progress bar reaches the end press the “Finish” button.

 

3)      Run the Windows Installer Clean Up utility to remove MSXML 6.

a.      From the “Start” menu select “Windows Install Clean Up”.

b.      Left click once on the item labeled “…MSXML 6 …” from the list of “Installed Products:”.

c.       Press “Remove” to remove MSXML 6.

d.      Repeat from (b) if there is more than one installed version of MSXML 6 or press “Exit”.

 

4)      Optional step - Uninstall Windows Installer Clean Up Utility.

a.      From the “Start” menu, select the “Control Panel” and then open “Add or Remove Programs”.  Scroll down and select “Windows Installer Clean Up” from the “Currently installed programs” list.  Once selected a “Remove” button will appear.

b.      Click on the Remove button and press “Yes” on the conformation dialog that pops up.

c.       When uninstall is complete, close the “Add or Remove Programs” and “Control Panel” windows.

 

5)      Restart the ProMax setup program.