Home Forums Discussions Problems Using Microsoft SQL 2008 Express 64bit

Hello Everyone,

Well I just finished getting Amazing Charts v5.0.29 working with Microsoft SQL 2008 Express 64bit on Windows 2008 R2 64bit with 4GB RAM. It is working fine as what I can see.

My question is, has anyone been using MSSQL 2008 x64 with Amazing Charts in production for awhile, and has had no problems?

One thing I've noticed the SPEED increase. You can see a slight difference which is always good especially with heavy IO during peak hours.

I want to make sure it will be fine as new versions of Amazing Charts gets released and database tuner that it will be fine with MSSQL 2008 x64.

Thanks,
Rob

We are running with three different operating systems on various computers in our network. Our database computer is 32bit. At least two of our computers are 64bit that we have been using for about a year. We have had absolutely no problems.

I'm talking about SQL Server 2008 64bit not the operating systems or workstations.

SQL 2008 actually attaching and housing the databases.

You are running SQL 2005 32bit on your 32bit OS.

I haven't decided to put SQL 2008 on yet. If I do, I have the Standard edition. Express still limits you to 1 CPU and 1 GB of RAM, so I don't know how much of a performance increase you will get. I am certainly not a SQL Server expert, and my guess is 2008 would have advantages over 2005, but it still has limited RAM.

Have you thought about increasing the amount of RAM on your server in general?

I have combined the two threads which started the same. I moved a couple of posts for continuity. Thanks.

If I could I would love to move my AC to SQL 2008 but I thought AC did not support that? I have Windows 2008 server with 24gb of ram just waiting for some action.

I believe it is possible to do if you upgrade from 2005 Express after install rather than uninstall 2005 Express and then do a fresh install of SQL 2008. That is why my SQL person told me. Could be wrong.

I got my ac v6 on sql 2008 r2 64bit. and do updates + database tune no problemo, you cant go from 2008 to 2005 but why would you.

Neo,

I believe it works. Not sure if it is supported. I am still working with it.

@Rob Who said anything about going from 2008 to 2005?

Only way I see anyone wanting to upgrade from SQL 2005 express is because their database exceeds SQL 2005 express database cap.

I would agree. 4GB to 10GB. If you're looking for better performance, then SQL 2005 Standard or Workgroup or SQL 2008 Standard or Enterprise. Then you get to the RAM. Of course, it will cost you.

It is more than just that. You get better performance by far, and what I love is the SQL replication to another sql server. We have AC on a xen hypervisor running win2008r2x64 two hosts replicating, no down time. DB is stored on a equalLogic SAN.

How is that better performance by far. You can't add more pages. It's still 1GB of RAM.

How will you know if it will be fine with new releases and data tuners until they occur unless it is supported by AC?

That was 2008 x64 not R2 and in a test environment running few users.

Now in production I got 2008 r2 x64 with latest SP that ms just released and with 20-users you can see the IO is much quicker, and the difference is there.

The datatuner works plus updates because I already have tried on this sql 2008 r2 works great.

Modify ac xml file and registry good to go.

datatuner isn't looking at the sql server version it is looking at the ac,meds,codes tables to update. Has nothing to do with version of SQL.

Rob, with all due respect, is this your post? I am just responding to your post. First, you ask if anyone has more experience with SQL 2008 because of new versions and database tuner, then you tell me the tuner has nothing to do with the version of SQL. I kind of know that.

I am not sure where you are going here.

Fullsize

Yes that is my post, I'm here to just let others know after months of production it works without any errors. And on top of that the new version 6 upgrade went in fine so in case anyone is going that route, they have some info. It isn't an easy task though but possible with great results.

And here is the version info of AC DB right from the table


Fullsize

Hi Rob, Modifying AC to run on SQL express 2008 64Bit is by far not an easy task. I agree that 2008 64bit would offer an advantage vs SQL express 2005. This is especially evident if you have alot of users loged on at the same time with multiple transactions. For the average user SQL express 2005 is ok unless you have a large database. Even then they will move one to SQL 2005 standard. DDefinitely not supported by AC. The only way to accomplish this though is to modify the database. When AC installs it will automatically install SQL express 2005 and attach the Database to SQL express 2005 even if SQL 2008 is present. I would love to get your input into how you were able to move the database to SQL express 2008.

AC doesn't automatically install 2005 Express, and I recently saw a white paper walking through the steps of upgrading from 2005 Express moving the instance to 2008.

When you say, "they" will move...who is they? Whether it is AC or the practice, 2005 Standard isn't nearly as cheap as 2008 Express.

Not an easy task, it takes a lot of work around but possible. Very basic input here:

Detach the 2005 express DB, AC, Codes. Get to the mdf files, move them out of default ac folder. Uninstall sql 2005 express install the version of sql you want ie 2008 r2. attach the mdfs back to sql 2008 r2. This is by far the easiest part in moving to sql 2008 r2. This part is good if you will not do any updates for quite some time. Updating part takes a bit more, so the db tuner can pickup your 2008 r2 ac,codes,meds db to go to a next version..

You will have issues on data tuning + upgrades. That I have another solution but like I said very basic input I put here, and that one would a little hectic to type.

Actually if you do main computer install in order to upgrade, yes AC will try to look for an instance of SQL Express 2005 and if it doesn't see it it will try to install it automatically. And if you are running 2008 SQL you will have an issue. But there is a work around.

I think the ultimate solution would be to have an installer/setup with the option to deselect things like bonjour, web server, sql etc... And have the typical for regular users.

Interested in more information on SQL Express 2008 and exactly how you are working around the issues with upgrading. We have run into a real road block with Amazing Charts. Our database is too big to run the tuner for the upgrade to v. 6.0. Tech Support can "take" our database and tune it for us while we "just deal with it"...their words not mine. Their other option is for us to purchase the full version of SQL for $4,100.00 to access more memory, although they weren't sure how much more memmmory...

I am more inclined to use SQL 2008 since we have 17 workstations accessing the database as well.

Any info would be helpful

Keep in mind that the free version of SQL (2008 Express) is still limited to 1 CPU and 1GB of RAM. The only advantage (besides its being more robust in other areas is the 10GB vs 4GB.

I do not know this, but the database tuner would still need to tune all of your data.

I don't know what getting 2005 Standard with a much higher capacity for RAM is going to do for the size of your database.

One thing for sure is that AC is going to need to fix the database tuner issue, and will likely need to make future builds with 2008 Express if only for the size of the database.

I think with 17 workstations, a SQL version which can utilize more RAM from the server assuming that the server has 20 or whatever GBs of RAM, will help your performance issue.

So is it possible to install AC on SQL Server 2008 x64 if so can someone share the step as I would love to try it.
Thanks

It isn't a simple, step by step process especially the non-express version. If you don't know how to do it already, you would likely need someone expert in SQL. It sounds like there are some on here that are pretty good.

If you want to message me, I can give you connections to someone who has worked on all 2008 versions in a test environment and is certified to do this type of thing.

Thanks Bert I'll try it out on my test server and see what type of a mess I can make : )

I too want to move the database away from SQL 2005, since I currently have to reboot the server weekly to keep speed decent. Haven't found the root cause yet.

Rob, I was interested in mirroring. Since you have yours mirrored, perhaps you can tell me (other than failover) if there is anything else you are doing with the mirror? Advantages? I was thinking the mirror could be brought online for non-clinical tasks and practice management without affecting clinical integrity and audit trails.

All, with the default AC installed SQL engine, we cannot mirror, correct?