When running the SQL Server 2008 setup, I receive the following error message:
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TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Setup
Dec 25, 2013 I think I ran a tool, Windows6.0-KB948465-X64, and that allowed me to install SP2. Anyways, after installing x64 SP2 for Windows Server 2008, I started having system stability issues. I've since rolled back to Windows Server 2008 x64 SP1, and have not had any reliability or stability issues.
The following error has occurred:
Unable to open Windows Installer file 'G:x64setupsql_engine_core_inst_msisql_engine_core_inst.msi'.
Windows Installer error message: The system cannot open the device or file specified. .
Click 'Retry' to retry the failed action, or click 'Cancel' to cancel this action and continue setup.
...
Please let me know how can i fix this is as i am unable to continue the installation process ... please help!
Regards
Sana.91Sana.91
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5 Answers
This happened to me. The installer actually seemed to be working with no error for over 2 hours, but I knew something had to be wrong with that. I restarted it left it overnight and came in to see the error mentioned in your post.
Copying the files from the CD to the hard drive, and then running the setup.exe from there helped me resolve the issue. I see that in the comments below the selected answer this is sort of mentioned, but the comments ended with hoping it would fix the problem, and for me it did.
Taylor BrownTaylor Brown
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Try to copy .msi to drive C: and execute it from there.
ventikventik
This answer relates to installing a 2008 R2 service pack, not installing 2008 from scratch, but this question was one of the first results when searching for the error message. Might help someone...
![Installer Installer](/uploads/1/2/6/1/126170827/307862854.jpg)
I got the same 'The system cannot open the device or file specified.' message.
I looked in the setup installation logs here: C:Program FilesMicrosoft SQL Server100Setup BootstrapLog
Found the error, and the file it was looking for in the WindowsInstaller directory.
Went to the Installer directory, found the file, backed it up, and deleted it.
Ran the setup again, and got a more meaningful error, explaining the missing file, and the corresponding file from the initial installation, in my case, 2008 R2 SP1.
Downloaded SP1 on my PC, extracted it, dug out the file, in my case, sql_common_core.msp.
Just copied that file to the server, ran it, it repaired/installed/did something quickly.
Ran the setup again and everything went through just fine.
A whole lot of details regarding fixing these types of setup errors is here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969052/en-us
statikuzstatikuz
This unfortunately, is very open-ended. I'm assuming G: is a removable media drive? Are you able to see the file path in explorer?
Luke WyattLuke Wyatt
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The same problem was with me. I turn off my windows firewall and re-try it, and it works for me. You can turn off your firewall while installing SQL Server.
Sachin KumarSachin Kumar
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Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged sql-serversql-server-2008installationwindows-installer or ask your own question.
From Microsoft:
The Microsoft Windows Installer is an installation and configuration service. Windows Installer enables software users to efficiently install and configure products and applications. The installer can also provide software products with new capabilities to advertise features without installing them, to install products on demand and to add user customizations. The Windows Installer supports advertisement of applications and features according to the operating system.
![Windows Installer Server 2008 X64 Windows Installer Server 2008 X64](/uploads/1/2/6/1/126170827/789969769.png)
Version 4.5 of the Windows Installer has several new features, including: Custom Action Execution On Update Uninstall--This feature enables an update to add or change a custom action so that the custom action is called when an update is uninstalled. Shared Component Patching Resiliency During Uninstall--This feature makes sure that the most recent version of a component is available to all the products.
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From Microsoft:
Windows Server 2008 Iso X64
The Microsoft Windows Installer is an installation and configuration service. Windows Installer enables software users to efficiently install and configure products and applications. The installer can also provide software products with new capabilities to advertise features without installing them, to install products on demand and to add user customizations. The Windows Installer supports advertisement of applications and features according to the operating system.
Windows Server 2003 R2 X64
Version 4.5 of the Windows Installer has several new features, including: Custom Action Execution On Update Uninstall--This feature enables an update to add or change a custom action so that the custom action is called when an update is uninstalled. Shared Component Patching Resiliency During Uninstall--This feature makes sure that the most recent version of a component is available to all the products.