Knowledgebase: Setup POSitive (General)
How to Install SQL Server 2019 Express
Posted by Sean W, Last modified by Dean Martin on 23 January 2023 08:29 AM

This article focuses on installing a NEW 'INSTANCE' of the 64-bit SQL Server 2019 Express instead of trying to upgrade from SQL Server 2005.


--- PROJECT SUMMARY---

  1. Review the system requirements for SQL Server 2019 Express
  2. Steps to install SQL Server 2019 Express
  3. Connect POSitive to the new computer\instance
  4. Windows and Microsoft Updates
  5. Configurations necessary for using POSitive on more than one computer
  6. Troubleshooting SQL Server installation error: Wait on the Database Engine Recovery Handle Failed



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System Requirements for SQL Server 2019 Express
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Be sure to review the hardware and software requirements for installing the supported SQL Server edition you choose. However, we recommend using a modern computer with 8GB or more of memory (RAM).
NOTE: Installation of SQL Server is supported on x64 processors only. It is no longer supported on x86 processors.



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SQL Server 2019 Express Installation Instructions
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NOTE: We highly recommend contracting with a computer consulting firm, information technology professional or Authorized POSitive Software Dealer as our Standard Support does not include network setup and configuration. Whereas Advanced Support offers "best effort" troubleshooting support for POS hardware problems, networking errors, or other issues that affect the operation of your POSitive product. We can also handle the periodic installation of updates for POSitive products. Alternatively, you can pay an Incident Fee for the POSitive Support department to provide this "best effort" service. Contact POSitive Sales for details and pricing. The reason we recommend this is because we have found that some aspects of setup and configuration of POSitive software, including SQL Server manipulation and network setup, sharing and security, and other troubleshooting steps which are not intended for novice or intermediate computer users.




--- STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ---

1. Backup your database on your CURRENT SQL SERVER database (see link below for instructions)
http://link.gopositive.com/sqlserverbackup


2. Download SQL Server 2019 Express and SQL Server Management Studio

-Windows 10 Pro-
Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express 64-bit download
Download: https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/confirmation.aspx?id=101064
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
Download: http://link.gopositive.com/ssms


3. Make sure you are logged into Windows with administrator privileges


4. Run the SQL Server 2019 Express setup file you downloaded and follow the instructions and option selections below for each page/section of the setup installation screen:

- Only make the specified changes below
4.1. Click on 'Installation' on the left menu
4.2. Choose 'New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation' on the right
- Step through each Setup screen using the setting selections below
- On the 'Install Rules' screen ignore the 'Windows Firewall' warning

'Installation Type' screen
4.3. Select 'Perform a new installation of SQL Server 2019'

Feature Selection Screen

- Click 'Unselect All'
- Under Instance Features:
--- Select only the following applicable options:
------ 'Database Engine Services'
------ 'SQL Server Replication'
- Under Shared Features: (2014 only)
--- Select only the following options. This will install SQL Server Management Studio:
------ 'Management Tools - Basic'
------ 'Management Tools - Complete (if available)'

Instance Configuration Screen
- Select 'Named instance'
- Enter "POSitive" <-- Remember this for later

Server Configuration
- Set the 'SQL Server Database Engine' Service to 'Automatic' 
- Set the 'SQL Server Browser' Service to 'Automatic'

Database Engine Configuration
- Click the 'Server Configuration' tab
- Select 'Mixed Mode' (VERY IMPORTANT----DON'T MISS THIS STEP)
- Enter Password (Record this password, you will need it later)
- Click 'Add Current User' (Make sure you are logged into Windows as an Administrator)
- (Optional if you want your SQL Data files on another internal hard drive. Skip this if you don't understand it.) Click the 'Data Directories' tab
- (Optional cont'd) Click in the 'Data root directory' and type "X:\POSitiveSoftwareSQL" where "X" is the drive letter of your other internal hard drive



TROUBLESHOOTING the SQL Server install error:
Wait on the Database Engine Recovery Handle Failed
This error comes about because the account which the user selected on the Server Configuration page during installation is somehow not able to bring the SQL Server database engine services online. Either it lacks privileges or it is corrupted. During installation of the database engine services, SQL Server tries to bring online the database services as an internal process, but due to the startup account either being corrupt or not having the appropriate privileges it fails to do so and ultimately the installation fails.

Try uninstalling (review step 3), then reinstalling SQL Server using the 'NT Authority\SYSTEM' Account Name for the SQL Server Database Engine during the Server Configuration phase on the Service Accounts tab.

We found the following articles helpful in troubleshooting this issue:
https://goo.gl/GIiZkZ
https://goo.gl/2jauCZ
https://goo.gl/cqOydR


Congratulations, you have successfully installed SQL Server 2019 Express!!

Next...



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Connect POSitive to the New Computer\Instance:
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Finally, you need to restore your backed up database and get POSitive connected to it.

1. Restore the SQL database that was created on the OLD SQL SERVER to the NEW SQL SERVER
http://link.gopositive.com/sqlserverrestore

2. Exit everyone from POSitive on all computers

3. If applicable, Stop and/or Disable the old "SQL Server ([InstanceName]) service from running or shut down the old server computer that the old SQL Server instance was running on.
See: http://goo.gl/x5JZ8A

4. Launch POSitive, select your company and wait for a connection error appear.

5. Replace the old instance name with the new instance name, and password that you created during Step 4 of the above SQL Server installation instructions (e.g. "SERVERCOMPUTERNAME\POSitive")

6. Click Test to be sure your connection setting are correct

7. Click OK to save your changes and log into POSitive like normal



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WINDOWS AND MICROSOFT UPDATES
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Follow the instructions in step 13 of the 'Add A Workstation: Network Setup Basics' knowledgebase article.



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ADD A WORKSTATION
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If you intend to use POSitive on more than one computer then there are several more steps that need to be completed. See the Add a Workstation knowledgebase article for detailed instructions:
See: http://kb.gopositive.com/addaworkstation




Updated 6/30/2020