Manually Installing SQL Express on Windows Server and database configuration.

Symptoms:

Installing Print Manager Plus with the default option of [Local Microsoft SQL Express Database Engine] fails due to a download or installation failure when installing the SQL components.

Error: mandatory prerequisite was not correctly installed.

Occurs when choosing Local Microsoft SQL Express:

Causes and Solutions:

While the Print Manager Plus installer makes the best attempt possible to automatically download, and install Microsoft's SQL Express; on occasion unexpected issues arise. 

Manually downloading and installing SQL Express will typically either:

• Install successfully and allow the installation of Print Manager Plus to complete.
• Provide more detailed information on what system conditions are preventing SQL Express from installing.

Download the latest version of SQL Express.

Installing SQL Express:

After download, follow the following steps to install SQL Express.

1. Launch, Extract and choose "New installation or add features to an existing installation."
   Upon launching the setup file, it will extract itself and provide the below menu.  Choose the option for [New Installation or add features to an existing installation].
   
   
   
2. License Terms and Setup Support Files and Rules:
   Setup will require you to except the license, and will then install Setup Support Files.
   It will also run a Setup Rule Setup check, and report any warnings or errors that would prevent a successful installation.
   
3. Feature Selection:
   The only feature required by Print Manager Plus, is [Database Engine Services].  Ensure that is selected and click Next.
   
   
   
4. Instance Configuration:
   This must be set to "PMP".  Any other name and Print Manager Plus install will not be able to recognize it as its own instance.
   
   
   
5. Service Configuration:
   This will typically be one of the below options.  Best practice is to leave all options as their Default Values.   
   
   Domain Controllers: Local System
   Domain Members: Network Service
   Workgroup Members: Network Service
   
   
6. Database Engine Configuration - Account Provisioning:
   The next screen will allow you to specify what users will have Administrative rights to manage the SQL Instance, and it's database.
   The default settings will function, however will be limited to the user you are installing with.
   We recommend adding the "BUILTIN\Administrators". This will grant full control over the SQL Instance, to any user who is an Administrator of the system.
   
   
   
7. Error Reporting and Start Install:
   Select your desired Error Reporting options and Next to start the installation.
   
   
   
8. Finish Installation:
   
   

Enabling Network Protocols
By default Microsoft SQL Express does not allow any network connections using protocols such as Named Pipes and TCP/IP.  For connection reliability, and interaction with additional Servers and Workstations, these need to be enabled with these steps.

1. Launch SQL Server Configuration Manager:
   This tool will now be installed, and accessible within your start menu at the following path:
   Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server
   
   
   
2. Locate the "PMP" Instance:
   Within the Configuration Manager, expand [SQL Server Network Configuration] and then select [Protocols for PMP]
   
   Named Pipes and TCP/IP will be Disabled
   
   
   
3. Enable TCP/IP and Named Pipes:
   Right click on both TCP/IP and Named Pipes and choose [Enable]
   
   
   
4. Restart SQL Server (PMP) Service:
   Still within the Configuration Manager, browse to SQL Server Services, and locate the service named "SQL Server (PMP)".
   
   Right click and [Restart] the service. Once restarted you can continue to the next section.
   
   
   

Resuming the Print Manager Plus Installation

Now that a SQL Instance for Print Manager Plus has been installed, you can restart the Print Manager Plus installation.

Database Location:
At this screen go ahead and select the [Local Microsoft SQL Express Database Engine] option.
It will use the SQL Express instance you just installed, rather than attempting to download and install a new one.

Advanced - Install and Configure SQL Instance By Command Line

The installed SQL Express can also be installed by command line.  The command line the Print Manager Plus installer uses is listed below.

SQLEXPR_x64_ENU /ACTION=Install /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS /QS /FEATURES=SQLENGINE /INSTANCENAME=PMP /SQLSVCACCOUNT="NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" /AddCurrentUserAsSQLAdmin /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS="BUILTIN\ADMINISTRATORS" /TCPENABLED=1 /NPENABLED=1

However, this will not report a failure reason in the event the installation is unsuccessful.