SQL Express “Missing Instance ID” Workaround
I recently installed SQL Express 2008 and ran into an annoying issue when I later tried to alter the installation.
The initial SQL install went off without a hitch, but the problems began when I tried to add my application. During the installation process, I was prompted to enable full-text indexing on my SQL server. I had no idea this was a prerequisite…shame on me for not reading the application requirements! To add insult to injury, I was not aware that version of SQL Express I was using did not come with full-text indexing as an installable option.
Back to the Internet I went, searching for a copy of SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services. A 500 MB download later, and I was well on my way to getting things running, or so I thought.
I began my SQL installation, choosing to add or change features to my existing install. Everything seemed to be pretty straightforward and painless until I tried to select which SQL installation to upgrade. Each and every time I tried to select the one and only instance on this particular server, I was greeted with the message, “The instance id is required but it is missing”.
I double-checked the installation options I had selected, I ensured that all of the proper services were up and running, plus I even rebooted the server and tried the installation again. However, no matter what I tried, I received the same error each time I attempted to select my SQL instance.
I poked around for awhile, then finally found a solution. First, I went to the Control Panel and selected the Add/Remove Programs console. There, I located the SQL express install and clicked the Change/Remove button. This brought up a slightly different version of the installer interface, from which I could choose an Add option.
Going through the paces, this installer found my existing SQL instance without any issues and I had my SQL Server, complete with full-text indexing in no time!
16 Responses to “SQL Express “Missing Instance ID” Workaround”
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Hi Mike.
Did you choose the same install folder from the previous version of the SQL server? When I tried to choose the 500Mb (sql server express with advanced Services) It didn’t work.
If I choose the original sql server install folder, the Reporting services option doesn’t appear… Did I understand everything in your post?
Thank you for your help.
Kike
There were two different points where I was asked to choose a folder. I extracted both SQL 2008 installers into separate folders using 7Zip, then chose the appropriate folder when asked.
I believe that I chose the “SQL with Advanced Services” folder the first time I was asked, then the regular SQL installation folder when asked a second time. I can’t guarantee that was the order, but I am pretty sure. I do know that I had to dig down a few levels to find the files it was looking for however.
Hopefully that helps!
Thank You! Worked for me.
Worked fo me too. Thanks.
I had the same problem when I tried to install Sql Server Management Studio 2008. When I ran the installer I kept getting the message “Missing Instance ID etc.”. As you suggested, I tried running the original Sql Server Express 2008 R2 installer, but I kept getting the message “is not a valid Installation Folder”, whenever I tried to select the original media folder.
Anyways, the solution for me was to copy the Sql Server Management Studio installer (msi) file to the “Program Files\Microsoft Sql Server” root directory, prior to running it.
I probably shouldn’t complain since it’s free software, but you’d think Microsoft could come up with a more conventional way to install this feature. (Of course it’s not really free when it takes a couple days to download, then another day to install. Oh well.)
(Another website suggested using the Microsoft Web Platform Installer, but that was a dead end.)
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the post but this didn’t help me, so I am posting my solution below.
I was also having same problem while installing management studio with SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.
I used this installation package http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=E08766CE-FC9D-448F-9E98-FE84AD61F135&displaylang=en
This includes everything in it, simply select the features you want i.e. management studio and works great!
Just a thanks! You saved me a bunch of work!!
Thanks so much. I was observing the same problem with the missing id. Going through uninstall/change and then Add did the trick.
It worked for me too, now I have Management Studio installed without problems. Thank you
It worked for me too, now I have Management Studio installed without any problems. Thanks
Thanks!
great work, thank you for sharing, saved me a bunch of frustration and work! cheers!
GOD BLESS YOU!!! You saved me from further grief after I spent hours working on this!!
Really I appreciated your great help Mr. Salman Elahi.
Thanks
Hey,
Many thanks for an extremely useful post!
Kind regards
Simon