I currently install sql server 2008 easily enough with quiet.

I need to do the same for sql server 2012.

I can't find good instructions to do this. No configuration file is made during the install process to use, as was in previous versions.

I install as an instance MSSQLSERVER

and have an sa password (mixed mode)

I need this silent because we are running it against laptops for users that are clueless.

Is there any real help on this at all?

hi,

actually it's documented in http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd239405.aspx and  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259.aspx

regards

Then the documentation is wrong.

Again as I stated in the text above. NO configuration .ini file is created on a wizard install.

I need some real help, someone that has done this with the express install package.

hi,

did you try the "command prompt" way?

personally I'm not "confident" on configuration files to install "stuff", I do way prefer just to "shell" and call the actual setup with all the "list" of required/desired parameters... but this is my opinion...

regards

hi, check out the below link.

http://www.devx.com/dbzone/Article/31648

So here is what I found out so far.

When installing sql server express 2012 it DOES NOT make a configuration file.

I am already doing silent installs successfully with sqlserver 2008 r2 (x86)

So I think my next step is to install sql server DESKTOP to create a config file for installing sql server express.

I have reservations and am confident that this approach: WILL NOT WORK.

I have to give something a try, because nothing I have done so far is looking good.

Ok, this seems to be working.

You have to use the developer edition to craft the configuration file.

To generate a configuration.ini file from any SQL 2008 Express or SQL 2012 Express installer (via the Wizard) follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt.

2. Launch the SQL 2008 Express or SQL 2012 Express installer package using this command:
SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU.exe /ACTION=Install /UIMODE=Normal

3. Advance through the wizard as normal and specify the options of your choice. At the end of the process you will see a file path to the ConfigurationFile.ini file.

You can then use this for unattended installations.