SQL Server 2005 setup fails when MSXML Core Services 6.0 Service Pack 2 has already been installed
Posted by jpluimers on 2010/06/25
Recently, I had to configure a pretty up-to-date Windows XP SP3 VM with SQL Server 2005 for a proof of concept.
The SQL Server 2005 setup failed consistently on installing MSXML 6.
I tried making the XP VM really up-to-date.
But the SQL Server 2005 setup still failed at the same reason.
In the end it appeared that the MSXML 6 install that is included in the SQL Server 2005 install barfs when MSXML 6 SP2 is already installed.Microsoft even has an article about that on-line (duh!).
Contrary to the Microsoft article, the MSXML 6 installation log can be found here:
%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Files\
You will find something like this in the the MSXML 6 installation log:
... Property(S): Upgrade_Confirmation = A lower version of this product has been detected on your system. Would you like to upgrade your existing installation? Property(S): AdminMessage = Setup requires user to be in the administrator group in order to continue the installation process. Setup is aborting as the current user is not in the administrator group. Property(S): SupportedOSMessage = Installation of this product failed because it is not supported on this operating system. For information on supported configurations, see the product documentation. ... MSI (s) (14:4C) [13:34:03:952]: Product: MSXML 6 Service Pack 2 (KB954459) -- Configuration failed. ...
Edit – 20100723: the “Windows Installer CleanUp Utility” disappeared from the Microsoft web-site (see comments), so resolving this problem is not possible in an official way any more.
What you should do instead is never install the RTM SQL Server 2005, just install the SQL Server 2005 SP3, as it is a full install anyway.
Here is what you need to to to get the MSXML 6 problem resolved:
- Download the Windows Installer CleanUp utility. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site: KB290301
(direct download) - Run the Windows Installer CleanUp utility.
- Select MSXML6 Service Pack 2 (KB954459) [6.20.1099.0] in the list, and then click Remove.
- Install SQL Server 2005
(The MSXML 6 will reinstall itself as part of the process) - Install your SQL Server 2005 service pack
(currently the latest one is Service Pack 3 –
download SQL Server 2005 Express SP3
download SQL Server 2005 SP3) - Verify the version numbers of the installation at the page How to identify your SQL Server version and edition
Back to real work :-)
–jeroen
Via: SQL Server 2005 setup fails when MSXML Core Services 6.0 Service Pack 2 has already been installed.
The Wiert Corner - irregular stream of stuff 
Ajeesh said
Thank you! This helped.
Bal said
You saved my time.. Thanks Bud
José Mª Fueyo said
The Installer CleanUp utility had been removed from both, KB article and your direct link. Threfore there is no solution today
jpluimers said
Thx for the info; let’s ask around to see what happened.
–jeroen
jpluimers said
In the mean time: the alternative is not to install SQL Server 2005 RTM, but install SQL Server 2005 SP3 instead: it is a full install.
–jeroen