TaurArian wrote:[color=blue]
> Either one of these of use to you?
>
> Code 737D Error "Posted by Peter Saddow [Microsoft]"
>
> "You receive this error when the previous upgrade has not completed successfully. If you
> view the log at %programfiles%\Microsoft SQL
> Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Hotfix\summary.txt you can get the instance with the issue.
> The message would be: "SQL Server Setup cannot upgrade the specified instance because the
> previous upgrade did not complete. Start the Remote Registry service and go to Add/Remove
> Programs, select the Change button for Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and then select SQL
> instance [2] and complete the setup."
> Follow the instructions in the message."
>
>
> Error: 733F-- Services Failed to Start "From MS Support"
>
> "Description: This error occurs when the installation program can't start the SQL Server
> services. This can happen for several reasons including: expired account password,
> invalid user account, user account does not have permission to start the service, or there
> is something else wrong with the service.
>
> Resolution: To help you determine which service is failing to start, view the summary.txt
> file that is created at %programfiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Hotfix.
> Once you determine which service is failing, do the following:
>
>
>
> 1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
> 2. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Services.
> 3. Locate the SQL Server service causing the problem and try to manually start the
> service.
>
> If the service still does not start, try resetting the password or the user account. After
> doing this, restart the service manually
> More information: [url]http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282254/en-us[/url]
>
> If you need additional help, please post your summary.txt file located at
> %programfiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Log\Hotfix to the SQL Server Setup
> MSDN forum at http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=95&SiteID=1"
>
>[/color]

Thanks TaurArian. The first one came close, but did not succeed.

I uninstalled SQL Server 2005. (If it turns out I need it, I'll
reinstall it - there appears to be an 'express' version available (free)
for download on the MS site.)