I am trying to install WSS 3.0 on a virtual server (ESX Host). The VM is currently Windows Server 2008 with a fresh install of SQL Express 2005, but when I try to install WSS 3.0 it fails saying it cannot because SSEE will not load. I don't have the actual error on hand (out of the office) but from what I understand according to the message, WSS won't allow me to install unless I install SSEE. We are trying to not install with SQL Embedded because in a backup and recovery situation, Embedded SQL is limited to block by block backups and the ability to drill down to the individual file and restore. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Aaron's is the first question that I would have asked too. But another one comes to mind - why don't you remove the existing copy of SQL Server Express 2005 and then install using "Windows Internal Database" ? By the look of it you are intending to use a single (VM) server for WSS 3.0 and using the normal SQL Server 2005 Express means your databases are limited in size to 4GB whereas using WID they wouldn't be limited in size. I see the backup/recovery point but if you are intending to use this in production 4GB won't be enough and in any case you ought then to be using real SQL Server and two real machines rather than a single VM. The other thing is that if you are using a VM you can both make snapshots and make complete (scheduled ?) copies of your files for the VM. You don't necessarily need Backup/Restore at all.2010 Books: SPF 2010; SPS 2010; SPD 2010; InfoPath 2010; Workflow etc. 2007 Books: WSS 3.0; MOSS 2007; SPD 2007; InfoPath 2007; PerformancePoint; SSRS; Workflow Both lists also include books in French; German; Spanish with even more languages in the 2007 list.