Finally was able to download VS2005 ater joining MS Empower program.  Hurray!

After installing that together with SP1, started to install Strataframe and ran into Fatal execution engine error 0x7927e03e.  Install utility: Application has generated an exception that could not be handled.  Proc ID= 0xad4 (2772) thread id=0xed (3792)

After clicking ok to stop application, it goes into phase 2 of the installation (!) install VS templates, build SF databases, build sample databases, deploy SF data, deploy sample data.

What may have been the problem?  Is it likely that installation was ok?  Should I uninstall and reinstall?

TIA,

Alex

If that exception was thrown before the templates were installed, then it was thrown by the MSI engine through the InstallAware install.  If you have your StrataFrame menu, and you can add references through the .NET tab (rather than having to browse for them), then you're probably OK.  But if you notice any gremlins, then you might want to reinstall. 

Oh, and the Empower program is awesome... <$400 for 5 OS, 5 Office, server, Exchange, etc. & an MSDN premium with 5 licenses... you can't beat it.

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Thanks Ben, I am working on it.

After starting VS2005 by clicking on VS2005 icon a very "psychedelic" form comes up with sharp contrasting colors.  Then the Database Connection Wizard appears but I am unable to login to SQL server (maybe has to do with SQL Server deficiency mentioned above (?) ).  Despite that problem, if I cancel I am able to enter VS2005 (!).  What do you mean by "add references through the .NET tab (rather than having to browse for them)"?

Re the Empower program, it's great!  Do non-beginners get something similar or does the price go up sharply?

Thanks for the answer,

Alex

If you installed SQL Server Express then you may have forgotten to provide the instance name which by default is SQLEXPRESS.

MYCOMPUTERNAME\SQLEXPRESS

Yes, but StrataFrame will not operate properly without having a connection to the StrataFrame database.  You should have provided this when you installed StrataFrame...if the StrataFrame database is not installed then you really need to go through the SF install again and make sure the StrataFrame databases are deployed.

When StrataFrame is installed you can choose an SF reference just as though you would a standard .NET reference.

Thank you.  I am installed and doing the tutorial.