MSDE Not installing

I am running Windows XP Pro. When trying to install MSDE, sql2ksp3, i go to the command line and enter:
setup SAPWD=somegreatpassword SECURITYMODE=SQL and off it goes, gathering information and starting to install.

After a short period of time where the status bar shows about 9 seconds left the status bar runs backwards down to zero and installation stops.

No error message, no crashes, just packs up its tent and goes away.

I have tried running setup from a batch file with the same results.

I have turned off my antivirus program as well as all other programs.

Need Input! - Thanks - T.C.nothing in the System error log?|||Still have the probl if you modify msde setup.ini to install?
e.g.
----------------------------
TARGETDIR="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql$MyInstance\Binn"
DATADIR="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql$MyInstance\Data"
INSTANCENAME="MyInstance"
SECURITYMODE="SQL"
SAPWD="mysapassword"
----------------------------|||Thanks for the tries but...

Adjusting the ini gave me the same negative results.

System Event viewer just tracked that Installer was used.
Application Event viewer returned error message:
"Product: Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine -- Installation operation failed.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp."

and when i follow link to web site i am told Sorry but no help here.|||Hi, I am having the same problem. I have done a bit of research on the net and the MS knowledge base and come up with the following kb article...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];816499|||And seeHOW TO: Manually Remove a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) Instance|||thank you one and all for try but alas to no avail. I have not a previous version of SQL so i am a bit stuck.|||You can try to open RPC services, and Server Services.
They are in control pad.|||I have found what it was, I also was having the problem. You have to start the service Server started, even if it is Manual, you will still need to start it.

In the instalation docs for MSDE SP3 under Install Log Verbose at the bottom to look for "Value 3", and withing 10 lines of that you find the item that failed. I found "InstallSQLAgentSecurity failed..." I then proceeded to do a search for that on Technet and low and behold there it was. in the very first sentance of "829386 - You Cannot Install MSDE 2000 if the Server Service Is Not Running" it says you need the Server service running.|||I had the same problem, with my Windows XP home. I worked on it for 4 hours, the problem was that you have to have a network set-up on your computer. so I entered into setting up a home network wizard, windows installed all the components and then I installed the MSDE. Worked like a charm. So the way to solve this is to start the network Wizard! and then install MSDE.

Thanks guys.sql