Problem Installing MSDE on a Computer with SQL Server 7.0

If you install an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine on a computer that already has the SQL Server 7.0 client tools installed, the installation fails during the "SkuIt" custom action, and the following error message appears in the setup log file:

"Loading extended custom action library sqlcax.dll

Starting custom action SkuIt

An internal error occurred during the install (failed to load package id).

Contact Microsoft Technical Support.

Action ended 15:35:19 InstallFinalize.  Return value 3."

Solution:

1. Using My Computer or Windows Explorer, browse to the following location: "C:\MSSQL7\Binn."

2. Locate the file named "Sqlboot.dll."  Rename this file (it does not matter what you name the file.  It just has to be something other than the default file name, such as "1Sqlboot.dll").

3. Install the MSDE named instance.

4. Once the install is complete, browse back to the directory in step #1, and rename the file back to its original file name (Sqlboot.dll).