I have PC running windows 2K Prof and am trying to install a piece of sw that requires SQL server. I have never installed this before, but I went on MS website to see if there was a download and I downloaded the MSDE200A kit...It is the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) Release A kit. I'm not sure if t his is the right one, but when I attempted to install it, it said that "a strong password is required for security reasons. Please use SAPWD switch to supply the same"...My guess is that I am installing the wrong kit....Does any one if I am, or if not, where I can get it? Thanks, Mark Mark Chiasson Hudson Public Schools

The one you are installing is the free one which supports up to 25 connections. The SA password is for SQL server built in administrator account and they are saying that it should be a complex password so no one can gain access to your SQL server - you can run in SA authentication mode, in Windows authentication mode or mixed ..meaning both. If you are not concerned about security just leave the SA password blank and use the Windows authentication - use an account from your domain or workgroup.

Ok, but as soon as I start the installation it comes back saying this (about the SAPWD) and exits me out. Is there a setting that I can use to bypass, so that when I start the installation it will continue? Mark Chiasson Hudson Public Schools