When installing the Core Server in Express Setup mode the installation seems to fail for no apparent reason.

The Express Setup mode of the Core Console installer installs both Core Console and a SQL Express instance as part of the install process. In some cases the SQL installation can fail and not provide a specific error as to why the install has failed.

Situations that can cause this include;

- Installing Core Console on a domain controller can result in a failed install due to the included install of SQL Server. Microsoft does not recommend the installation of SQL on a Domain Controller this will cause the SQL installation to generate a warning and fail.

- Installing Core Console on a system that does not have PowerShell installed will result in the SQL install failing as Power Shell is a requirement of SQL 2008 R2, and if not installed the SQL installation will fail. This will only occur on systems where PowerShell is not included as part of the original operating system install.

- Installing Core Console on a system that does not meet all the prerequisites to install SQL will result in the failure of Core installation.

If installing Core on a domain controller Faronics reccomends performing the installation of SQL as a seperate step.

Windows Power Shell Download
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/scriptcenter/dd742419.aspx

SQL Express 2008 R2 Home Page
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/