beta headache

Hi Folks,

I'm still using the the SQL Server 2005 June CTP to develop. I'm working for a client that intends to upgrade, but has not done so yet. We believed that we had 365 days from the date of installation before it would expire (late July). But Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 just expired, which is used by SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio, so now we can no longer develop SSIS packages or Reporting Services reports.

What can I do?

I thought that maybe installing Visual Studio 2005 express might work, but when I went there, it seems that it is split up into modules (e.g. Visual Basic 2005 express, Visual C++ express, etc...). I don't know if just one of these would be sufficient and if so, which one. Even if it would, it says I'll need to completely remove the SQL Server 2005 beta, as well as the Visual Studio 2005 beta, and I think the .net framework.

My contract is up at the end of June, and it was understood that the client was going to take care of the upgrade. Is there a quick fix here? What can I do with minimal effort? (I don't really have time to wait for the client to get the upgrade approved and done. I know, sniff, sniff! lol.)

Uninstalling and reinstalling really shouldn't be terribly time consuming. You should definitely get off the betas and onto released software. For SQL, you can go straight to Express at SP1 level (i.e., don't bother installing Express RTM because the remastered version with SP1 bits is now available, and better). If you don't have stuff in master like special logins, a simple uninstall/reinstall will be easiest. If you do feel a need to retain the Master database, use the special /savesysdb switch when you uninstall and then you can carry all that stuff over to the current build.

Sorry, I don't have any answers for you on the Visual Studio Express bits to use. I'm sure they've got a forum up here where you can ask that question.