DQS installation fails: Exit code 255

Question

Hello, I am having a heck of a time installing DQS.   I have tried installing from command, from specific Instance directory, etc.  No matter what method , the below error is thrown.  Also, There are no system restrictions, elevated prompt
issues, etc. at play, so those rudimentary causes can be ruled out.  
Environment:
Virtual Machine running on HyperV
Clean/New installation of OS and SQL
Server 2008 R2 SP1 Datacenter Edition
SQL Server 2012 Developer Edition - I have applied CU1 hotfix but that did not help.  Hotfix location = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2679368
-------------------ERROR during install-----------------------
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] Executing action: Create data quality schema.
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] Script: 'recreate_schema.bat BISQL12 DQS SQL_Lat
n1_General_CP1_CI_AS'
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM]
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] ! was unexpected at this time.
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM]
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] Script process returned unexpected exit code: '255'.
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] Action 'Create data quality schema' finished with error
, aborting installation.
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] Starting installation rollback...
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] Installation rollback completed successfully.
[8/24/2012 11:01:54 AM] DQS Installer finished with errors. Please see installa
ion log file at C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL
Log\DQS_install.log
Looking at the 'recreate_schema.bat' file, I see that it attempts to create the DQS databases by calling create_databases.sql.  If I try to manually execute that script through SSMS, it fails as well.  It throws errors such as....
Msg 102, Level 15, State 1, Line 31
Incorrect syntax near ':'.
:r db\drop_dq_databases.sql
---- and ------
Msg 102, Level 15, State 1, Line 1
Incorrect syntax near '$'.
 CREATE DATABASE [$(DQS_DB)] COLLATE $(DQS_COLLATION)
I am at a loss.  Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

net helpmsg 255 shows the error means something cryptic... The extended attributes are inconsistent.
1. Is your computer in US English, or is it set to another locale?
2. Is there any command interpreters / command shells installed? I saw a wierd problem like this on the forum when someone had a command shell system installed that overrode the Windows default cmd with some add-ins.
3. If I recall, one of the first things the .bat file does is to use SQLCMD to run the .sql scripts. Do you have SQLCMD on the box? I think it is under C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn\sqlcmd.exe
Is there any older instance of SQL installed? The reason I ask is that if the older version is in the PATH environment variable, it might be picking up the wrong SQLCMD and getting an error because of that. You could search the hard drive to be sure.
Try to change the PATH for the command prompt session to only include the right folder
SET PATH=C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn
If you have an MSDN subscription, you can also open up a ticket with our support team for assistance, see my signature to get started.
Thanks, Jason
Didn't get enough help here? Submit a case with the Microsoft Customer Support team for deeper investigation - http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance