I see this question a lot: ''I have a SQL Server 2008 R2 database.  Can I attach it to a SQL Server 2008 SP2 instance?'' Part of this stems from the confusion over exactly what 2008 R2 is in the first place.  It is not a service pack to SQL Server 2008; it is its own, full-fledged version.  A lot of people don't fully realize this ...

After five tries, I've given up trying to install AdventureWorks on machines where Denali exists - even in cases where 2008 or 2008 R2 instances also exist, and when my goal is to install AdventureWorks on earlier releases.  The installer crashes before I can even select which instance to use. First, I downloaded AdventureWorks2008R2_RTM.exe ...