We got Maximizer CRM 10 which now only comes with SQL Server.
Server installation was fine.

However, the client install on a Vista machine fails with an obscure error "Cannot install SQL Express Server or the current exisiting one does not work properly".

However, a clean SQL Express setup completes without problems.
Frequent uninstalls/re-installs did not help...

The setup log is not very helpful either:

 12-4-2007 17:34:56: InstallSQLExpressServer: Enter
12-4-2007 17:36:40: ExecuteSQLScriptEx() Enter
12-4-2007 17:36:50: ExecuteSQLScriptEx: Execution result 0 (Hidden).
12-4-2007 17:36:50: ExecuteSQLScriptEx() Enter
12-4-2007 17:36:59: ExecuteSQLScriptEx: Execution result 0 (Hidden).
12-4-2007 17:36:59: ExecuteSQLScriptEx() Enter
12-4-2007 17:37:11: ExecuteSQLScriptEx: Execution result 0 (Hidden).
12-4-2007 17:37:45: InstallSQLExpressServer: installation of SQL Express failed
12-4-2007 17:37:45: InstallSQLExpressServer: Leave
12-4-2007 17:37:53: OnAbort() Enter.
12-4-2007 17:37:53: OnAbort: Un-register MaConfig.dll if needed.
12-4-2007 17:37:54: ========== Maximizer CRM 10 Setup Log File - Abort ==========
12-4-2007 17:37:54: ========== Maximizer CRM 10 Setup Log File - END   ========== 

It would appear that the installation of SQL Express has failed but as it is probably installing in silent mode it doesn't record the failure correctly.

Try running the installation again but locate the SQL Express installation on the CD and run it by itself in admin mode so it can fully install, at the very least that should give you a better idea of why it is failing.

Thanks for your quick reply - I did run SQL Express setup in admin mode (sqlexpr32.exe) and the installation completed successfully without any problem.
The SQL Server services (SQLEXPRESS and SQL Server VSS Writer) are running.

Afterwards, I tried to install Maximizer again.

Still the same problem...

Is there any way to increase the verbosity of the setup process so that the log will be more informative?

Update:

There seems to be a more general problem with the MaximizerCRM 10 installation.

The installation fails on other Vista machines too and can be reproduced.

I attach the installation and error screenshots.

Maximizer10_installation.pdf (246 Kb, Pending Moderation)

Solved using workaround.

1. Install SQL Express manually ("3RDPARTY\SQLExpr\SQLEXPR32.EXE")
During installation, create the database "MAXIMIZER"
2. Optionally install SQL Express manager ("3RDPARTY\SQLExpr\SQLServer2005_SSMSEE.msi"
3. Re-run Maximizer installation
This time, it should not try to install SQL Express and continue with the Maximizer installation

Hi, Roland. Thanks for the follow-up.

One minor correction: If you are installing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition manually you must create an instance named 'MAXIMIZER'. Maximizer CRM 10 Group Edition will only recognize a SQL Server instance named 'MAXIMIZER'.

(I know you probably meant "instance" but you wrote "database" and that might confuse others.)