Monday, March 20, 2006

Altiris Deployment Server Setup Error

Funnily enough, the Altiris Deployment Server 6.5 setup is able to determine that SQL is installed on a machine, and determine the instance name, but can't determine if the correct network connectivity is present for it to actually work.

So when going through the install you think all is well, until you get a "Setup was unable to run "DBinstaller.exe" to create the "express" database" and get told the installer will quit.

Rather cryptic... and it's because no network protocols are enabled by default in MSDE 2000 + SP4 installs (ie DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS=1 by default now). The way to fix the error is to go into %programfiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn and run srvnetcn.exe. You'll see all network protocols disabled by default - just enable TCP/IP, restart the SQL Server service and then re-run the DS 6.5 install, and all actually will be well.

6 comments:

John Tuffin said...

Thanks for this it saved me a bunch of time hunting down a problem of why my installation was failing

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable!!!
Thanks for the solution.

I had this flaw some years ago,
and your solution brought back
bad memories of fault finding
this solution!

Thanks a heap!!!

Anonymous said...

It happens with SQL Server 2000 (8.00.2039 SP4).
We had working DS 6.8 install on the test network and were going to test 6.8 SP1. Unfortunately, now DBinstaller.exe fails when running setup with existing DB in place.

Both Named Pipes and TCPIP are enabled on the SQL server and there are no problems creating ODBC connection to it.

Account used is exactly the same used during previous installs and got all necessary permisions on the DB.

Only difference between manually created ODBC conenction and one created by DBInstaller.exe is the registry key under: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer\Client\ConnectTo]
with binary value:
"SERVERNAME"="DBMSSOCN,SERVERNAME,1433"

Go figure....

Anonymous said...

This is unbelievable...!! I was scratching my head for weeks.

Thanks a million!!!

GreenerRabbit said...

Same problem "Setup was unable to run "DBInstall.exe" to create the "eXpress" SQL database."

I went to "Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\SVRNETCN.exe"

Ran the .exe and then moved TCP/IP from the left side to right and did as it said "must restart the service."

After completing that I ran the Altiris Setup and it worked.

SinrG202 said...

Hi,

Just want to say thanks for this. I am sticking Deployment Console 6.9 SP5 on a server at my new work place (used it in my last job and have found it invaluable).

Anyway, I'm using SQL Express server so have run the install twice (one for another database) so I have 2 instances. The problem I had was that srvnetcn.exe doesn't exist in that folder. I did however manage to change this setting by;
Right Click My Computer > Manage > Services & Applications > SQL Server Configuration Manager > SQL Server Network Configuration > Find the Instance I want to add TCP/IP and enable it..

I did then have to add ports in (as I have dual instances) and then restart the service. This now works.

I wouldn't have done it without your pointer though.

Thanks!