How to update service pack in SQL Server 2008

[FRITZ31]

Hi ,
I am a database developer and already have SQL Server 2008, Now I want to update to service pack 1. I am hitting the error: “The setting ‘PCUSOURCE’ specified is not recognized. Do I need to use slipstream. Please help. Thanks in advance.

[Zecho]

If the SQL Server 2008 Setup support files are installed on the computer, you apply a CU or a hotfix to update the SQL Server 2008 Setup support files, and then rerun the Setup program from the DVD or the network share.To determine whether the SQL Server 2008 Setup support files are installed on the computer, view the entry by using Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel in operating systems that are earlier than Windows Vista. In Windows Vista or later versions of Windows, view the entry by using Programs and Features in Control Panel.

[Reegan]

There are some limitation for update service pack in SQL Server 2008. You must uninstall a failed installation if the Summary.txt log file indicates that you must uninstall and if you add features to an instance that already has the database service installed through slipstreaming, the installation may fail. To work around this issue, you need to add feature by using the original SQL Server 2008 source media or upgrade the instance to SP1 and then use the slipstream infrastructure.

[opaper]

Follow the following steps to create a slipstream drop that you can use for installing the original media and a service pack at the same time.
# Install the following prerequisites for SQL Server 2008.
.NET Framework 2.0 SP2 for SQL Server 2008 Express Edition
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for other edition
Windows Installer 4.5
# Download the service pack package that matches you system architecture. For example download the x64 package of SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 if your system is an x64-based system.
#Extract the service pack by running the following command:
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-x64-ENU.exe /x:C:\SP1
# Run the service pack to install Setup files on the computer. You will receive a Setup Support Files dialog box if the Setup support files have not been installed. You can also run the following file to install the setup support files:
C:\SP1\x64\setup\1033\sqlsupport.msi
# Run the Setup.exe file from the SQL Server 2008 source media by specifying the /PCUSource parameter. For example:
Setup.exe /PCUSource=C:\SP1

[MindSpace]

These steps are for the English version of SQL Server 2008. However, it works for any language of SQL Server 2008 if you obtain the correct language of service pack package.
# Copy the original SQL Server 2008 source media to c:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1.
# Download the Service Pack 1 package. The package names are as follows:
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-IA64-ENU.exe
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-x64-ENU.exe
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-x86-ENU.exe
# Extract the packages as follows:
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-IA64-ENU.exe /x:c:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\PCU
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-x64-ENU.exe /x:c:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\PCU
SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-x86-ENU.exe /x:c:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\PCU
Make sure that you complete this step for all architectures to ensure the original media is updated correctly.
#Run the following commands to copy the Setup.exe file and the Setup.rll file from the extracted location to the original source media location.
robocopy C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\PCU c:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1 Setup.exe
robocopy C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\PCU c:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1 Setup.rll
# Run the following commands to copy all files (not the folders), except the Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll file, in C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\PCU\Architecture to C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1 \Architecture to update the original files.
robocopy C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\pcu\x86 C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\x86 /XF Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll
robocopy C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\pcu\x64 C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\x64 /XF Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll
robocopy C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\pcu\ia64 C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\ia64 /XF Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll

#Determine if you have the Defaultsetup.ini file in the following folders:

C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\x86
C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\x64
C:\SQLServer2008_FullSP1\ia64

If you have the Defaultsetup.ini file in the folders, open the Defaultsetup.ini file, and then add PCUSOURCE=".\PCU" to the file

# Start the Setup program.

[Modifier]

You can install the SQLSupport.msi file directly to your system but you must install the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1. Just double-click the hotfix package to install the SQL Server 2008 Setup support files. After you extract the contents of the package, the updated SQL Server 2008 Setup support files will be installed. The hotfix package will complete the installation without notifying you when it is completed. To confirm that the files are installed, view the entry by using the Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel in operating systems that are earlier than Windows Vista. In Windows Vista or later versions of Windows, view the entry by using the Programs and Features item in Control Panel.