sqlncli_x64.msi cannot be found while installing SQL Server 2005 64bit on Windows Server 2008 R2

Recently while installing SQL Server 2005 64bit on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise 64bit an error message displays that “An installation package for the product Microsoft SQL Server Native Client cannot be found. Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package ‘sqlncli_x64.msi’.” as shown below.

After that, the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Setup Progress will display some errors with a status “Setup Failed. Refer to the Setup log for details”.

 

When trying to install the Microsoft SQL Server Native Client Setup by hand it displays a similar error message that the file ‘sqlcli_x64.msi’ cannot be found.  It’s unable to locate the sqlcli_x64.msi ( 64 bit version of SQL Server Native client). It’s puzzling, I am trying to install with 64 Bit version of SQL Server 2005 and it’s unable to locate the sqlcli_x64.msi, crazy thing is file is already available in installation folder and it’s showing me that error strange???.

After so much of trial I found solution for this problem is that someone started the installation with a wrong edition (32 vs. 64) edition and left the components there.

Go to Add/Remove Programs and remove the existing SQL 2005 components, and then reinstall.

Voila!!! It works fine.. It’s puzzling why the error comes up, but it is resolved after re-installation.