named instance rename

is there a way to rename a named instance?
Jason,
For SQL Server 2000, read:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa197071(SQL.80).aspx
For SQL Server 2005, the server can be renamed, but not the instance. See:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143799.aspx
RLF
"jason" <jason@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9E08D712-1072-4209-B83C-8076623FCD07@.microsoft.com...
> is there a way to rename a named instance?
|||Jason,
I got to the first link through http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260414 which
is "meant to address frequently asked questions encountered during the setup
or after the installation of multiple instances of SQL Server on the same
computer."
However, after a closer reading of the SQL Server 2000 document I don't
believe it is actually telling how to rename the instance name, only the
server name.
RLF
"Russell Fields" <russellfields@.nomail.com> wrote in message
news:OGUopdOZHHA.3628@.TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Jason,
> For SQL Server 2000, read:
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa197071(SQL.80).aspx
> For SQL Server 2005, the server can be renamed, but not the instance. See:
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143799.aspx
> RLF
> "jason" <jason@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9E08D712-1072-4209-B83C-8076623FCD07@.microsoft.com...
>
|||thanks for the feedback, i find it odd that MS doesn't let you change the
name of an instance. any thoughts on why that is?
"Russell Fields" wrote:

> Jason,
> I got to the first link through http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260414 which
> is "meant to address frequently asked questions encountered during the setup
> or after the installation of multiple instances of SQL Server on the same
> computer."
> However, after a closer reading of the SQL Server 2000 document I don't
> believe it is actually telling how to rename the instance name, only the
> server name.
> RLF
> "Russell Fields" <russellfields@.nomail.com> wrote in message
> news:OGUopdOZHHA.3628@.TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
>
|||Hello,
Since the named instance will create folders and registry keys based on the
instance name provide during installation, it will
not be easy to change those constant names.
Thanks
Hari
"jason" <jason@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A198F0BE-0026-4071-ABA6-FD68D5DB5396@.microsoft.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
> thanks for the feedback, i find it odd that MS doesn't let you change the
> name of an instance. any thoughts on why that is?
> "Russell Fields" wrote:
|||Hi, Jason,
I understand that you would like to know how to rename the named instance
of your SQL Server.
If I have misunderstood, please let me know.
For a named instance, SQL Server does not provide a way to rename the
instance name unless you uninstall the instance and then install a new SQL
Server instance; however you can rename the server name.
Please refer to:
Renaming a Server
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa197071%28SQL.80%29.aspx
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to let me
know.
Have a nice day!
Best regards,
Charles Wang
Microsoft Online Community Support
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|||It is a simple matter to un-install another instance for many reasons and for
the same reason, you cannot easily rename an instance, but you can create a
new instance with the name you want. You are allowed to install 16, if I am
not mistaken.
As far as renaming goes, keep in mind that if you uninstall MSDE 2000 (I am
not sure how the SQL Express works), there is a key in the registry
HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL$MyInstance which holds a
great deal of information about your instance and which references many other
registry keys. In the process of uninstalling you run across two barriers,
the first being these registry keys and the second being that the databases,
by default, are read - only and remain that way while they are attached.
Assuming you have attached databases when you uninstall, you cannot remove
the directory they are in because they are read only.
Imagine how you would react if you uninstalled a named instance and it
removed your database(s).
Again, best way to rename is to create a named instance with the name you
desire and then move the databases from the one named instance to the other
(detach and attach).
Regards,
Jamie
"jason" wrote:

> is there a way to rename a named instance?
|||thanks!
"thejamie" wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
> It is a simple matter to un-install another instance for many reasons and for
> the same reason, you cannot easily rename an instance, but you can create a
> new instance with the name you want. You are allowed to install 16, if I am
> not mistaken.
> As far as renaming goes, keep in mind that if you uninstall MSDE 2000 (I am
> not sure how the SQL Express works), there is a key in the registry
> HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Microsoft SQL Server/MSSQL$MyInstance which holds a
> great deal of information about your instance and which references many other
> registry keys. In the process of uninstalling you run across two barriers,
> the first being these registry keys and the second being that the databases,
> by default, are read - only and remain that way while they are attached.
> Assuming you have attached databases when you uninstall, you cannot remove
> the directory they are in because they are read only.
> Imagine how you would react if you uninstalled a named instance and it
> removed your database(s).
> Again, best way to rename is to create a named instance with the name you
> desire and then move the databases from the one named instance to the other
> (detach and attach).
> --
> Regards,
> Jamie
>
> "jason" wrote:
|||Actually I meant the first line to say it is NOT a simple matter to
uninstall... nevertheless, if you do, then make sure you delete the regkey
for MSSQL$MyInstance (ask which one it is if you are not sure - messing with
the registry is always dangerour) and after you uninstall, then copy the
databases from the old instance folder to your new instance and attach them
to the new instance... probably a good idea to delete the old folder after
you copy the databases just in case you decide to reinstall the old instance
for some reason.
One more thing to remember. The sixteen msi's that are run from the MSDE
installation use different GUID keys and access the instance name and
reference it accordingly. This procedure is followed during an uninstall
also. SP4 improved the uninstall process considerably over the sp3a. It
may be smart enough to do all this without monitoring the registry, but I
check anyway as I had tons of trouble with the sp3a installation. Each GUID
is related back to a particular numbered instance of the msi.
Glad it helped.
Regards,
Jamie
"jason" wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
> thanks!
> "thejamie" wrote: