splash.hta

So I'm trying to install my 180 day free trial of SQL Server Enterprise edition that comes with the MCTS training kit on my home computer and I can't get the CD to autorun.

I do the obvious thing and explore the CD and find what looks like the executable file and click on that. It still won't open.

I dig around the internet and find out that the installation wizard actually has to start through a file on CD called splash.hta. Only I can't get my machine to recognize an .hta file. I keep getting this error:

Splash.hta
The parameter is incorrect.

Hey, thanks error message writer guy, for the cryptic note.

Turns out I need to associate the .hta with it's .exe file which happens to reside in Windows\system32. This coy file is named mshta.exe. So I associate it and it works.

The installation goes forth and prospers until the System Configuration Checker in the SQL Server Installation Wizard reminds me I forgot to enable IIS.

Easily done in add/remove Windows components. Voila. Now, we can get down the to the business of a full install.