MSDE > SQL Express

We have a product on the market, with 100k or so installs that use MSDE as its database (desktop application in .net). Our number 1 complaint is massive installation problems with MSDE.

Now, we are stuck a bit - first, we need to release a Vista Compatible version - which means no MSDE. We also need to migrate users from MSDE to SQL Express, with no data loss (we deal with financial information, and people tend to have zero tolerance for data loss here).

So, I have large scale reservations for two reasons - first, Microsoft's track record in supporting and making MSDE in the past has not been stellar.

With that said - are the multiple installation failure issues fixed in SQL Express? Did MS make the effort to get SQL Express to install on Win2k/XP/Vista improved? Are their benchmark figures out there regarding SQL Express install failure rates?

Additionally, can I get some information regarding MSDE to SQL Express upgrades done during for existing customers?

jason

Hi Jason,

Great strides have been made in installation for SQL Express and it is much better than MSDE. This is not to say there are no issues, a quick search of this forum will confirm that there are, but I have not seen the kind of wholesale failures that were common with MSDE. I think SQL Express is way better for install than MSDE.

I don't know of anyone that tracks benchmarks such as you describe, sorry. I can point you to an article that we have that describes best practices for upgrading from MSDE to SQL Express, you can find it here. I have confidence that our upgrade procedure will not harm or lose our data since your database files are just left in place and then attached once the new server is installed, but I would be remise to not remind you that you should take responsibility for protecting your own important data.

I'd say that it's critical to backup your databases as a first step of any migration process. Additionally, you may want to consider doing a side by side upgrade in stead of in place to give you maximum control. During a side by side upgrade, you manually move your databases, so you can choose to use a copy (leaving the original safe) or even migrate your data by restoring a backup rather than using the original mdf. One thing to remember, once the database is converted to SQL 2005, it can't go back to 2000 format. If you are concerned that you might want to roll back the migration, you need to ensure that you keep a copy of the 2000 format database around until migration is complete.

Mike