Microsoft SQL Server 2012 no database engines

Question

I just installed MS SQL Server 2012 (Express). I went through the whole install process from SQLManagementStudio_x64_ENU.exe (other things were already installed) with checking all the checkboxes, so I thought I had everything necessary.

When I try to connect to .\sqlexpress, I get a message saying "Cannot connect to .\sqlexpress". See below for message detail, I copied it from another question because mine is in Dutch :-) Cannot connect to .\sqlexpress

I did some research through my friends Google and Stackoverflow, but none of the solutions work. 1. There is nothing in Database Engine -> Local Server Groups -> Register Local Servers (it says "No local servers of type "Database Engine" were found" 2. I cannot restart the services as I only have one "SQL related" service (SQL Server VSS Writer) 3. There are no services listed in Sql Server Configuration Manager -> SQL Server Services

Does anybody know what's wrong? Please let me know if you need additional details. Thanks, a SQL Server newbie

Answer 1

The SQLManagementStudio_x64_ENU.exe as the name says only contains SQL Server Management Studio, which is the GUI used to manage servers. It does NOT includes any DB engine or anything else but the client tool, so it's normal that you don't have the service installed.

Look at the downloads at the official download website. The file named SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU.exe or SQLEXPRADV_x86_ENU.exe are the full installs that includes both the client tools and database engine together. It's normally the best possible download I can think of from all the choices.

Answer 2

If I recall correct the file SQLManagementStudio_x64_ENU.exe only contains the management tools and not the server software. You need to download another file (SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU.exe if you want the complete package with server and reporting services etc.).

See this page for more information