[KB7186] Error "Installing SQL Express (851A001A) when installing on a Domain Controller" in ESET Endpoint Encryption Server

• When installing the ESET Endpoint Encryption (EEE) Server all-in-one pre-install, the process fails at the Installing SQL stage
   
• In the preinstall logfile, you see the following error entries:

RunInstallerandWait : dwExitCode : 851A001A

ERROR : Installing SQL Express

• When viewed in the services list, the SQL Server (DESLOCKSQL) service will not be able to start and will return error code 945

• Ignoring the installation error, repeating the installation attempt and continuing with setup attempts result in the EEE Server Setup Wizard screen where the SQL Server details are unknown and not prefilled

This error is most likely triggered by installing on a server operating system that is using the Domain Controller role. When the host is configured in this way, the Microsoft SQL installer will fail even if it is launched by hand and the process run manually.

The cause of this issue is that the default account used to start the SQL service is being denied the right to start when the system is configured as a Domain Controller.

For security and performance reasons, Microsoft does not recommend using SQL Server on a Domain Controller. The recommended solution is to install the EEE Server on a different host. EEE Server components do not require a server edition operation system for hosting. It is also possible and recommended to host the software within a Virtual Machine environment. You can find more details in the following articles:

• ESET Endpoint Encryption Server System Requirements
   
• Using the Enterprise Server in a virtual machine environment

To install on a system using a Domain Controller, follow the steps below to apply SQL to the system interactively:

I. Obtain the SQL installer

1. Run the Preinstall again to install the remaining components but do not exit the Preinstall once it has finished.
    
2. To obtain the SQL install package, press the Windows key  + R on the keyboard, type %temp% and then click OK.

Figure 1-1

3. In the AppData → Local → Temp folder, navigate to WZSE0.TMP → installers.
    
4. Copy SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe.

Figure 1-2

5. Click Exit to close the preinstall interface.

II. Uninstall the current SQL installation

1. Open the Control Panel and then click Uninstall a program.

Figure 2-1

2. Select the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 entry (if you are not already using SQL Server 2012 for anything else) and then click Uninstall/Change.

Figure 2-2

3. Click Remove.

Figure 2-3

4. On the Setup Support Roles screen, click OK.
    
5. On the Select Instance screen, the DESLOCKSQL instance should be the only one present and also auto-selected. Click Next.
    
6. On the Select Features screen, select the check box next to the Database Engine Services and SQL Server Replication entries and then click Next.
    
7. On the Removal Rules screen, click Next.
    
8. On the Ready to Remove screen, click Next and then wait for the uninstall process to complete.
    
9. On the Complete screen, click Close.

III. Install a new instance of SQL

1. Launch SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe that you copied in part I step 4 above.
    
2. Click New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.

Figure 3-1

3. On the Licence Terms page select the check box next to I accept the license terms and then click Next.
    
4. On the Product Updates screen, if an internet connection is available you will be offered to download updates for SQL, but if no internet connection is available a warning is displayed. Click Next.
    
5. On the Feature Selection screen, the Database Engine Services and SQL Server Replication options should have been automatically selected. Click Next.
    
6. On the Instance Configuration screen, change the Named instance name to DESLOCKSQL. The Instance ID will automatically change to match. Click Next.
    
7. On the Server Configuration screen, select the account name for SQL Server Database Engine, click the drop-down and select Browse.

Figure 3-2

8. Enter the appropriate account details and then click Next.

9. On the Database Engine Configuration screen, select the option Mixed Mode, and then type in the password to use for the SQL Server system administrator (SA) account.  It is important that you record the login details you used (for part IV step 2 below). Click Next.

Figure 3-3

10. On the Error Reporting screen, click Next.
     
11. On the Complete screen, click Close.
     
12. Close the SQL Installation Center dialog.

IV. Configure the EEE Server

1. Launch the EEE Server from the Start menu (the Setup Wizard will appear in your web browser).
    
2. Follow the steps through the wizard and when prompted for the SQL details, for the SQL Server Name use localhost\DESLOCKSQL and use SA login details you specified when you configured the SQL installation (part III step 9 above).

Figure 3-4

Follow the remaining steps through the wizard to complete setup and to log in to the Enterprise Server.