Err Msg: Setup Was Unable to Install the Microsoft Data Engine

ID: Q228925

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Office 2000 Server Extensions

SYMPTOMS

When you install the Office Server Extensions (OSE) to a Windows NT Server running on a Cyrix Processor, the Server Extensions installs, but the installation of the Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) fails. If you choose to continue the installation, you cannot configure the Server Extensions without access to a SQL Server computer. If you attempt to install the MSDE after the installation, you will receive the following error:

Setup was unable to install the Microsoft Data Engine. If you continue the installation, you will need to provide the name of another machine running Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 or greater. Do you want to continue?

Clicking Yes allows setup to finish. When you attempt to install MSDE later using Setupsql.exe, the following error occurs:

This program is not supported for this processor type. The minimum requirement for x86 processors is 586.

CAUSE

Windows NT 4.0 views the Cyrix CPUs as 486 CPU instruction set compatible. Because Windows NT 4.0 is capable of running on a 486 CPU instruction set, Windows NT 4.0 installs and works without problems. However, MSDE is designed to make full use of the newer 586 Class CPU instruction set, so it fails to install on Cyrix CPUs when setup does the preinstall hardware verification.

RESOLUTION

MSDE requires a Pentium class processor and makes use of the 586 instruction set.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Office 2000 Server Extensions version 4.0.2.2717.

Additional query words:

Keywords : ose2000
Version : winnt:
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug