I am unable to define the installation path during SQL server 2005 tools
installation. I am running out of space on "C:" drive and would like to move
the SQL Server tools to my "D:" drive.

I have VS2005 on the same computer. I uninstalled the SQLexpress, as part
of my attempt to move all the tools to my "D:" drive.

It seems that the "native client" installation is the first to run in the
standard setup, and it defines the installation path for all the other
installation packages.
1. I tried running the Native Client installation separately and was unable
to modify the installation path in that installation either.
1b. I tried passing an *.ini file with the location I want from command-line
for the native client installation.
2. I saw KB article that indicate that the Native Client install uses
"%Program Files%\Microsoft SQL Server\" ... can this be changed?
3. Can I install the package in another order?

There's a neat trick to install the tools in a separate directory:

The SQL Serverinstalls the application to the directory noted in the
registry data item named ProgramFilesDir in the registry subkey HKEY_
LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVe rsion. Change the data of
the ProgramFilesDir to reflect the target path you prefer.

And by the way, after you've done this, change back the path, otherwise you
might run in some serious problems.

Best regards,
io

PS> please let me know if this helped a little, so anyone can use it


"cb" wrote:

io -
Thank you for the suggestion.

After a good night's sleep, I had an intuition. I tried installing the
Express edition first, and, there i was able to modify the installation path
to install to my "D:" drive. Then, when i installed the sql2005 tools, the
installation path was pointing to my "D:" drive (and still could not be
modified). I managed to get about 30% to 40% of the installations (express
and sql2005 tools) onto my "D:" drive. I guess the fundamental libraries
"had" to be installed to my "C:" drive.

Would your suggestion have allowed more of the installation to be put on my
"D:" drive?

-cb

"io" wrote: