SQL Server 2008 Installation Error - Reporting Service Catalog Database File Existence

Figure 1: SQL Server 2008 Installation Error - Reporting Service Catalog Database File Existence

So today, I tried to install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 on the same machine and using the same default instance name and I encountered the error saying that the Reporting Server catalog database file already exists.  I finally got this resolved. If you also face a similar issue during installation of Microsoft SQL Server, try the steps below. This error occurs if we use the same instance name for the SQL Server 2008 installation. The following error messages may be displayed: 

ERROR:

• The catalog database file exists. Select a files-only mode installation.
• The catalog temporary database file exists. Select a files-only mode installation.

See Figure 1 above.
CAUSE:
This issue occurs because the databases for the SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services instance that you want to install already exist on the computer.
RESOLUTION:

To resolve this issue, move, rename, or delete the existing Report Server databases. Or, use a different instance name.

• Go to: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.InstanceName\MSSQL\DATA
• You should be able to see two files related to MS SQL Reporting Service viz. ReportingServerTempDB.mdf and ReportingServerTempDB_log.LDF

 

Delete the above two files related to Reporting Server

• Delete the above two files
• Re-Run the Microsoft SQL SERVER installation check 
• The error should be clear now.
• Continue with the installation.