Cannot edit pwd.tmp file Installing IDM 7.1 database on Win2k8 - MSSQL 2005

Question

Hi there,
I am installing IDM 7.1 on a virtual Windows 2008 Server, MS SQL 2005.
I am stuck at a very early stage in the Installing-SQL-database guide; I have tested the database
connection successfully, using the mxmc-test.cmd script. I am failing on the next step, running the
mxmc-install.cmd.
There are two different errors, both with the final message "echo was unexpected at this time".
The first error skips past the password prompt for users sa, mxmc_oper and confirm password
for mcmx_oper, shows the error message and then returns me to the command prompt.
Once I added my logged-in user [SID]adm as "mapped to the Database" in  the
MS SQL Management Console > Login Properties > User Mapping, I got a new variation
on the above message.
The second message again skips past the sa user password prompt, but then
displays additional text:
E:\IDM\51035967\DATA_UNITS\IC_DESIGNTIME_71\Database\SQL-Server\mxmc-install
***Install an Identity Center database mxmc_db
***This command will install a new Identity Centre database.
***To continue press Enter, otherwise CTRL-C
Press an key to continue . . .
Enter password for user sa:
Access is denied.
E:\IDM\51035967\DATA_UNITS\IC_DESIGNTIME_71\Database\SQL-Server\pwd.tmp
Access is denied.
Enter password for mxmc_oper:
Access is denied.
Confirm password for mxmc_oper:
Access is denied.
echo was unexpected at this time.
I have previously enabled the sa user, and reset its password to be the installation
master password. I first tried with domain\[SID]adm , then localmachine\[SID]adm, then
with Domain\Administrator, and lastly with local machine\Administrator
Whan I manually add some text to pwd.tmp, I am not allowed to save the file, as
either [sid]adm. As administrator I am able to save the file.
When I run the script as either Administrator I get the first error.
With either [sid]adm  user I get the second error.
So it appears to be Windows 2008 Server file security, for my [sid]adm users.
They are both in the Administrators group for the local machine,
and the E:\ has full access for Administrators group.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Kind regards,
Andy Minshull

Answer 1

I have solved this issue; there are two parts to the solution;
1: Write Permission to pwd.tmp
Although the installation cd folder had already been copied from the host to the VM guest, copying the folder to a new name resolved the issues with the file security. Not sure why exactly, but once done, SIDADM is able to edit pwd.tmp manually, as well as via the script.
2: Alternative Install Script.
We were greatly helped [by this SDN post|Re: identity center install problem: "echo unexspected at this time";, 4th reply:
(I'm installing on a virtual machine)....
Then I tried mxmc-xinstall with given prefixes. That worked for me.
On inspection of the mxmc-install script, it sets the necessary variables, based on some user input, then passes the values to the script mxmc-xinstall. Running mxmc-xinstall with no switches shows the prefixes required. Also, the mxmc-xinstall script is outlined in the Install guide, under section "Installing the Identity Center database with a given prefix", since it provides the opportunity to choose a prefix other than the standard "mxmc".
These two actions have solved my problem. So, based on the fact that Karsten had the same problem, on the same OS and on  a VM, I guess it is safe to assume that this is a bug specific to using Win2k8 on VMware. Our VMWare version is Server 2.
All the best,
Andy
Edited by: Andy Minshull on Jan 7, 2010 12:23 PM
Edited by: Andy Minshull on Jan 7, 2010 12:28 PM