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The software I am installing requires SQL Server 2008. I have SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Version. I am having problem in the setup and finally I am arriving on the conclusion that my SQL Express can be the problem. However I am highly skeptical.

I have asked the vendors and they we cannot confirm if their software works with the Express version.

Have you ever run into a problem where a product will work with full version (of Database) and not a free version?

Here is the Limitation of SQL Server 2008 R2

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The following are the limitations of SQL Server Express:

  • 4 GB max database size (10 GB for 2008 R2)
  • Single CPU socket
  • 1 GB of RAM
  • No SQL Server Agent service

When you say you are having a "problem in setup", what is the problem? The only thing in the above limitations I can think would error out is if you tried to restore a database that is greater than 4 GB (or 10 GB for R2), or if the setup application is trying to do something with SQL Server Agent.

Conversely, the setup application could potentially be just doing a basic check on the edition of SQL Server (through @@version) and then bombing out when it finds Express. Hard telling not knowing your specific issue.

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@EricHiggins Ah, I didn't see the "R2" in the question. Thanks for the correction, I have edited my answer accordingly. – Thomas Stringer Mar 27 '12 at 17:40
My database is around 5GB. Everything works for me, except that my client software can not connect to the database. Both are on the same computer. – Jackofall Mar 27 '12 at 17:43
Unless the app vendor is programmatically detecting the version of SQL and punting if it's Express, there's no limitation on the SQL Server side. I'd check w the app vendor.@Shark, np :) – Eric Higgins Mar 27 '12 at 17:51
@Jackofall The software could potentially be using TCP/IP (even though it is on the same computer and would typically use Shared Memory). Go into SQL Server Configuration Manager and enable TCP/IP protocol for the SQLEXPRESS instance. – Thomas Stringer Mar 27 '12 at 17:54
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Is it possible they don't support named instances? Or require a specific instance name? – SqlACID Mar 28 '12 at 11:28
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