Install

I'd suggest that you start using SQL Express! (Sorry, had to do it.)

SQL Express only includes the database engine and the configuration tools, so you're seeing exactly what you should. You can work with the engine using a number of different tools, here are a few:

• SQLCmd - Command line tool included with SQL Express to run T-SQL Commands.
• Any version of Visual Studio 2005 included GUI database tools, I recomend the Express line of products as they are currently free. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express
• SQL Management Studio Express - This is a scaled back version of the full Management Studio that is will be released in the next couple months. It is currently available as a Community Technology Preview, check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/sql to get to the CTP download page.

One you pick your tool, you can start creating databases and objects to use as you like.

Regards,

Mike Wachal
SQL Express team

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Check out my tips for getting your answer faster and how to ask a good question: http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=307712&SiteID=1

MikeWachal-MSFT at 2007-9-8 >

Hi David,

SQL Express is newer than MSDE 2000 and offers some improved functionality, but if you want to use the older version...

I would go for MSDE 2000 SP4 since that is newer than Release A. The behavior you describe is by design since you must supply a strong password for the SA account when installing MSDE. The readme file that is available on the download page for MSDE explains how to install it and the correct usage of the SAPWD switch.

Mike

MikeWachal-MSFT at 2007-9-8 >