Registry key missing to verify installation, SQL Server is installed

Hi All,

I have come across one scenario where i have installed SQL server 2008 , but in the registry i do not see the \InstaceNames\SQL key.

I am using the registry check to detect the presence of SQL server 2008 Sp3 or Higher in the way given below. Read the instance names under they key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\Instance Names\SQL\ , For the names, check the "data" filed value•
The same data field value will be added as registry key entry down, So check the current Version of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\"Same Data FieldValue"\MSSQLServer\CurrentVersion) .

The above check has been successfull in all the cases. In one scenario in Win 7 32 bit OS,i do not see the registry entry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\Instance Names\SQL\, i,e \Instance Names\SQL\ is not available even though SQL 2008 is installed.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

asked Apr 20 '12 at 08:04 AM in Default

Bhavani
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1 answer:

"Is installed" does not necessarily mean it is running. The fact that if this key structure is missing SQL Server will not even start. I tested this by renaming the Instance Names key on my SQL Server instances, and it would no longer start after restart.

This key has to exist in order for SQL Server to detect the start up parameters that are stored within the registry hive for the instance.

Can you verify that the instance is running, or runnable?

answered Apr 22 '12 at 02:15 PM

Shawn_Melton
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