multiple sql instances

i have sql server 2005 express running. during install, i had issues with a system dll that i found answers online and resolved. i am still very green, but i know much more now than i did at the time. i believe that as a result of the partial then failed installs i have multiple instances either fully or partially installed. when i am in the sql server mgmt express environment, it lists two sql engines. i only ever use one, and would like to safely remove the second without damaging or corrupting anything done with the other instance.

my reasons for wanting to do this are twofold. first, i would like to free up the drive space taken up by the second instance. (i am a stickler for clean harddrive mgmt and maintenance). second, now that i have used the software and am somewhat more familiar with it, i would consider installing a second, intentional instance so that i may attempt to better customize some of the install-time settings and configurations.

can anybody give me any pointers/ guide me in the direction of information on how to SAFELY go about this?

thank you in advance for any help.

Hi,

Do uninstall and the wizard will ask you which instance you would like to unstaill, select the one you need to remove.

Good luck!

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uninstall wizard lists 2 instances as MSSQLSERVER and SQLEXPRESS

SQLEXPRESS is the one i use. is MSSQLSERVER a system thing installed on all versions that i should leave alone? or am i safe to proceed?

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doKtorhallam:

uninstall wizard lists 2 instances as MSSQLSERVER and SQLEXPRESS

SQLEXPRESS is the one i use. is MSSQLSERVER a system thing installed on all versions that i should leave alone? or am i safe to proceed?

Hi,

Actually you have two somehow diffrent things, SQLEXPRESS which is a FREE light version of MS SQL Server 2005 which has the basic functionality and it has some limitation. In addition to MSSQLSERVER which has more features (e.g. Sql Agent for Job scheduling and DTS or SSIS).

If you are working with SQLEXPRESS only and you want to free some GB from your hard drive .. .remove the SQLSERVER instance by using the wizard .. this will not affect your SQLEXPRESS (it might remove the Management Studio from your machine but you can download it again as a seperate component from MS website).

Hope this help you.

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i am a little confused now. i realize i got the express edition, but where along the line could i have gotten anything above and beyond? i never shelled out the cash (because i cant afford and its only just budding into slightly more than hobby status), is it possible microsoft somehow attached a time-bomb free trial? i know i never requested such a thing.

but.... as long as its there, (even at least for now) maybe i will try and play around with it a little and check out some of the extra features it has.

so anyways, thanks, and i'll mark you as the answer.

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Hi doKtorhallam,

You can download a 180 days trial MS SQL Server 2005 from Microsoft website.

Hope this will help .. good luck.