Thinkpads Forum

New TP500 running XP Pro sp-2 (downgrade). After deleting MS Office demo, reboot came up with "SQLDUMPER FAILED INITIALIZATION" error and it occrs every boot although everything else seems to run fine. After trying unsuccessfully to "repair" via CP AddRMV Programs and trying several other options, I finally just REMOVED the 3 MS SQL programs from CP AddRmv Programs. No more error stops upon Windows start. I had tried to re-install the program from it's folder, but it said it couldn't install because the FOLDER it was looking for (C:\aaxxxxxxx) was unavailable. I verified it was not there.

I tried using the RESTORE function to a backup I created the first day I used the T500, but Restore said it could not restore (that or another one also). I created a manual Backup point and Restore was able to restore from that one a few minutes later.

I tried using Rescue and REcovery but saw no option to INSTALL a program. I did find options in R&R to RESCUE files, but all that did is return folders/files to the C drive, but did not install them and it appeared they could not be installed and registered from the folder (ie MS Office 2007 demo).

Are these MS SQL programs used by XP or Lenovo to do something useful or just more bloatware?

How would I reinstall them without doing a total system restore of facctory preload?

Is there some way to get a copy of XP and Vista Business (system was preloaded with XP downgrade) on cd from Lenovo?

If I remember correctly, you can download MS SQL Server from MS's website and use it for free as long as it's not for commercial/production use.

I personally have no need for it, but was concerned it may be used by Lenovo or XP for managing system resources or error reporting, logs, etc. So far everything seems to be running correctly, but I've only had the laptop a couple weeks and have no idea if SQL might be REQUIRED sometime.

Too bad Lenovo and other mfgs don't specify which programs can be safely removed without affecting system performance.

Here is a link to M$ SQL Server 2008 including the free editions available to be downloaded.

Grumpy wrote:I personally have no need for it, but was concerned it may be used by Lenovo or XP for managing system resources or error reporting, logs, etc. So far everything seems to be running correctly, but I've only had the laptop a couple weeks and have no idea if SQL might be REQUIRED sometime....

All I can tell you is that I've used Win XP since around 2003 on a variety of machines and never had MS SQL Server installed and have not run into a problem because of it not being on my machine.

Grumpy wrote:...Too bad Lenovo and other mfgs don't specify which programs can be safely removed without affecting system performance.

They can't do that because usages of different users vary too much. For example, if you don't need to access the internet or any thing not present on your computer, you could safely remove all thing related to the TCP/IP protocols, Access Connection and a few other services. But for the average user that would not be recommended.

I'm gonna quit worrying about it. Getting rid of it got rid of the problem it was causing and seems like if it were 'necessary' someone would have spoken up by now. Thanks for the replies.

MS SQL installed on a Lenovo/IBM product came with MS Office (demo) installed. It is a Microsoft product, comes with Office, and is not needed by or used by Lenovo so far as I know. That is the case where I have seen it. I also uninstalled it and Office (to use my clients' license) and did not experience any issue from uninstalling it. ... JDH

basketb wrote:If I remember correctly, you can download MS SQL Server from MS's website and use it for free as long as it's not for commercial/production use.

Incorrect. The MS SQL Express edition is and always been free even for commercial use (after registration which is also free). There are some technical limitations only and no developer tools.