Credentials for the SQL Server Agent service are i

Question

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I'm trying to install SQL Server 2008 development server on my local machine as administrator.

During the installation I receive this error, any idea how to solve it?thanks

[Error Message]
The credentials you provided for the SQL Server Agent service are invalid. To continue, provide a valid account and password for the SQL Server Agent service.

[Details] Microsoft.SqlServer.Configuration.Agent.InputValidationException: The credentials you provided for the SQL Server Agent service are invalid. To continue, provide a valid account and password for the SQL Server Agent service.

Answer 1

In my case password was expired. Change the password and try the step again.

Answer 2

Taking SQL Server cluster role offline-Online on node 1 worked for me.

Answer 3

the button 'Use same account' below thee main window will fill in all the textboxes automatically. this worked fpr me.

Answer 4

I solved using as credential built-in accounts as the NetworkService this article point me out in the right direction http://www.sqlcoffee.com/SQLServer2008_0013.htm

Answer 5

Well I have been battling to understand why, when at the Account section of the installation of a second node, the system will not accept the password I used to log in. I have been scratching my head - reading every post under the sun all to no avail.

I did notice that some service accounts were given as [e-mail] and others were given as DOMAIN\service.instname.instno (the latter being the Win2000 version)

I also noticed comments about strength of password so I thought - I can do that so I changed the password to a much higher strength and RDC in to the server - with new password and thought - best to update the services on the existing node first. I stopped the service, clicked on password and pasted in from the clipboard - (can't go wrong eh?) ha ha says Windows.. Got ya.. it wouldn't accept the password - that I just logged in with. I clicked on browse to select the service account and VOILA! the account name changed to the DOMAIN\user version and readily accepted the password. I then repeated the exercise on the other service. I then found that the node installation would continue (after backing up and forward through the process) to pick up the new name format and accepted the passwords without complaint.

I think the moral of this experience is to use the wizards and select through the "browse" button rather than manually entering the service name.

I hope my experience saves someone else the pain I went through.

Still Confused

Answer 6

In my case it was more of a Microsoft bug, than an actual issue. I installed under the Administrator login and used strong password btw but I was still getting this error constantly.

I tried to install with Windows credential without entering the password, but that did not go through either. Was getting the same error.

Then I cleared all password textboxes manually and copies the correct password in each text box. Hit enter, and it went through.

The error was most likely misleading.