System: Windows 7 64-bit
My first mistake was trying tro install SQL Server 2008(64-bit) 180 day evaluation. It never worked, couldn't get it to connect in SQL Managment Studio. There were always different errors, the main one seems to be :
TITLE: SQL Server Setup failure.
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SQL Server Setup has encountered the following error:
The given key was not present in the dictionary.
I get this error whether I try to repair, add or uninstall. I tried every article I could find from MSDN and other blog sites. I was at one time able to uninstall things and remove registry keys. I then tried to reinstall SQL Server Express thinking maybe it was easier. I got the same problem. I was able to get an instance to connect, but it wouldn't allow me to install reporting services. So after three weeks I went back to a earlier restore point now I have the same mess I started with. I have too much data to try and reformat my drive. If some one could tell me how to fully remove all aspects of SQL and then how to install SQL Server Express w/Advanced Services. Another thing I noticed is when I tried to install SQL Server Express 64-bit, it kept telling me there were compatibility issues. I then tried to install SQL Server Express SP1 as was advised by MS, but none of this has helped. I think I have so much stuff installed over other installs that I am hopelessly lost. If you can help please let me know. If you need error logs or event logs let me know how to get them and I will provide what I can.
Thanks.