This is as expected, starting with SP3 a strong sa password is required for
security reasons. You can use the switch SAPWD to go past this error.

If you are not using the latest MSDE SP3a i recommend you use that version
found in http://www.microsoft.com/sql/downloads/2000/sp3.asp, download the
files necessary to install an MSDE SP3a instance. Please refer to section
3.7 of the sp3Readme.htm for installation instructions, this is important as
we
introduced new switches starting in SP3. There is an extensive discussion
of the need for a password.

For example you want to install an instance named 'foo' using SQL
authentication and an sa password=footest then a sample command line will
be:
Note that i created a verbose log test.log using the switch /l*v so that i
can confirm sucessful installation by looking at the log after the
installation.

Good luck.

--
Kris Yumul [MS]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

"Neill" <neos (AT) asiamail (DOT) com> wrote

exit."