FIX: Error message when you run the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard to upgrade SQL Server 6.5 to SQL Server 2000 SP4: "Couldn't create or register the SQLUpgrade DSN" (903888)

SUMMARY

This article describes the following about this hotfix release:

The issues that are fixed by this hotfix package
The prerequisites for installing the hotfix package
Information about whether you must restart the computer after you install the hotfix package
Information about whether the hotfix package is replaced by any other hotfix package
Information about whether you must make any registry changes
The files that are contained in the hotfix package

SYMPTOMS

When you run the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard to upgrade from Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4), you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:

Couldn't create or register the SQLUpgrade DSN!

For a list of all publicly released SQL Server 2000 Post-Service Pack 4 hotfixes, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

894905 Cumulative list of the hotfixes that are available for SQL Server 2000 SP4

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next SQL Server 2000 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

You must have Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP4 installed to apply this hotfix. For more information about how to obtain SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

290211 How to obtain the latest SQL Server 2000 service pack

Restart information

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information

You do not have to change the registry after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix file information

This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain of all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build. SQL Server 2000, x86

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time
Upgrade.exe	2000.80.760.0	160,312	18-Dec-2002	00:23

MORE INFORMATION

No installer is provided with this hotfix. Therefore, you must manually apply this hotfix. To do this, follow these steps:

Run the hotfix to extract the Upgrade.exe file.
Copy the Upgrade.exe file to an \Upgrade folder in the default path structure. For example, copy the file to the following folder:
Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Upgrade\

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates