When you attempt to install Microsoft Project Central with the Install Now option, you may receive an error message similar to the following:

This issue can occur when you already have Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) or Microsoft SQL Server installed on your computer. Microsoft Project Setup attempts to automatically install MSDE. If a database engine is currently installed, Setup cannot continue.

To resolve this issue, use one or more of the following methods.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Method 1: Create a Default Database and Table Installation for SQL Server

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

1. Insert your Microsoft Project 2000 CD-ROM.
2. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS prompt.
3. At the command prompt, type cd CD-ROM to open the CD folder, where CD-ROM is the letter of your CD-ROM drive.
4. To run the script that creates the Microsoft Project Central Project_CentralDB database and tables, type the following
   osql -U account name -P password -i Crttable.sql
   where account name is the name of the database service account (sa by default). NOTE: The parameter letters U, P, d, and i are case-sensitive.
   
   
5. Press ENTER.
6. To create the default records in the tables, type the following
   osql -U account name -P password -d db name -i Insdefsq.sql
   where db name is the name of the database.
7. Press ENTER.
8. To create the default values in the records, type the following:
   osql -U account name -P password -d database name -i Insdefsi.sql

Method 2: Uninstall MSDE and Run Project Central Setup

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Services.
3. In the Services dialog box, click MSSQLServer, and then click Stop.
4. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open the Windows Task Manager.
5. In the Windows Task Manager, click sqlmangr.exe, and then click End Task.
6. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
7. In the list of installed programs, click MSDE. Click Remove.
8. Follow the onscreen instructions to remove MSDE.
9. Start Windows Explorer, and then double-click the mssql7 data folder.
10. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
11. Press DELETE. When you receive the confirmation message, click Yes.
12. Click Start, and then click Run.
13. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
14. Right-click the following key, and then press DELETE:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Web Server\SQLInstalledByPrj
    When you receive the confirmation message, click Yes.

For additional information on installing and uninstalling Microsoft Project Central, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: