How do I apply SP4 to my Backup Exec instance of MSDE 2000?

Applying SP4 to MSDE 2000 is a bit interesting because you have to apply it once for every instance you have of MSDE. This sounds crazy, but is actually quite useful if you have 4 instances of MSDE, and only 3 of them are certified for SP4.

Backup Exec 10.0 initially installs with MSDE 2000 SP3a, however, it will run quite happily with MSDE 2000 SP4. Here is the syntax to upgrade the BKUPEXEC instance of MSDE 2000.

Setup /upgradesp sqlrun INSTANCENAME=BKUPEXEC /L*v C:\MSDELog.log

You will need to reboot the server, and then SP4 is all done.

That method works just fine for almost all instances of MSDE 2000. All except for if you are running Small Business Server 2003. DO NOT apply MSDE 2000 SP4 to the SBSMONITORING, SHAREPOINT or MSFW (if ISA 2004 is installed) instances of MSDE using the method mentioned above. YOU MUST install SBS 2003 SP1 instead, which includes applying MSDE 2000 SP4 to these named instances, otherwise all hell will break loose (or something like that). May God Bless Microsoft and their hidden pitfalls.

May The Force Be With You……….always.

Paul Eddington.

KB keywords: backup exec BackupExec Veritas MSDE SQL 2000 service pack sp 3a 4 Microsoft server desktop engine database