Issue
Attempting to install Power Monitoring Expert 7.2 / Power Monitoring Expert 8.0 and have chosen to use SQL Server Express. The SQL Server Express install as initiated by the PME installer seems to complete, but then the PME installer fails during the 'Gather Information' phase, and displays a dialog that states:

A database connection test was performed
A connection to the database could not be established.

Please ensure that:
* The database software is installed correctly
* The database server is running and is available to the computer
* The username and password provided are correct.

Product Line
StruxureWare Power Monitoring Expert

Environment
StruxureWare Power Monitoring 7, Power Monitoring Expert 7.2, Power Monitoring Expert 8, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2014

Cause
The cause of this is a failed SQL Server Express installation. If .NET 3.5.1 (PME 7.2.2) or .NET 4.5.2 (PME 8.0) is not installed on the target machine, when the PME installer launches the SQL Express installer, the SQL Express install will fail silently. When the PME installer carries on, it correctly determines that there is no database server present, thus the warning dialog.For PME 8 installations, ensure that prior Visual Studio 2010 instances are running Service Pack 1.

Resolution
The solution to this problem is to install .NET 3.5.1 (PME 7.2.2) or .NET 4.5.2 (PME 8.0) on the server, and re-run the PME installer. Ensure that the "Restart" option is selected.

**For PME 8 installations, ensure that prior Visual Studio 2010 instances are running at least Service Pack 1.

For further troubleshooting it is recommended that the SQL Server Express installation is run separately from the PME installation. The SQL Express installer provides a detailed error response which may help indicate a problem with installing the SQL Server. You can find the SQL Server Express installer on the PME installation disk in the \setup\setupsupport\SQLExpress\ location.

Released for:Schneider Electric Global