If you encounter the error “Could not find the Database Engine startup handle” when attempting to install SQL Server 2008 R2, the cause may not lie with SQL Server, but with WinZip. This document describes issues I encountered in attempts to install SQL Server 2008 R2 on a Windows 7 machine, and my conclusion that the issue lay with flawed setup files, as extracted from the downloaded SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer .iso file by the WinZip extraction utility.
Wayne Snyder is an international speaker, author, and PASS volunteer. He is a SQL Server MVP, and author of the popular Learnkey) SQL Server Training series. As a Distinguished Architect for Mariner, he specializes in Business Intelligence Solutions. On the weekend, he sings and plays keyboards for the regional band – soundbarrier.
