Multiple installions of SQL Server

We have previously installed 2 applications on our server that automatically installed there own instances of MSDE.

We have also subsequently installed a further application that automatically installed its own instance of SQL Server 2005 Express.

We have now installed for our own use SQL Server 2005 Workgroup edition.

Hence we have now ended up with many versions/editions/instances of SQL Server installed and running.

I am concerened this is effecting the overall performance of the server.

Is there any way to consolidate all this to one installation (ideally the SQL Server 2005 Workgroup edition)?

Thanks

of course , it may create chaos.When you have many instances running(i assume that on single physical machine) it may create a memory contention. You can keep a instance and you can use detach /attach or Backup/restore method to transfer database from other instance database to this instance and later remove the unwanted instances.

Madhu

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Thank you for the reply.

Yes I thought it may cause problems.

Two further questions:

If I uninstall the applications that have installed their own instances of MSDE and SQL Server 2005 Express and then reinstall them now we have SQL Server 2005 Workgroup edition installed, would they automatically attach themselves to this instance rather than creating their own?

Is it possible to do what you suggest above and have all using one instance even for the MSDE applications?

Thanks

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no it will not attach automatically, you need to attach the database using sp_attach_db. Once it is attached its permanent. I guess , you uses User instance of sql server express. In that case , you need to change the connection string once you have attached that database to workgroup edtion.

Madhu

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OK thank you.

What about the MSDE instances? Can they be attached too? I notice we have instances for SBS 2003 services such as WSUS as well as for our two applications that use MSDE.

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