Hi,
My understanding of your issue is:
You thought you couldn't manage to install SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
because the SQLExpress Management Console was out of vision. You found that
the SQLExpress service worked fine.
If I have misunderstood, please let me know.

I'm glad to tell you that you have managed to install the SQL Server 2005
Express Edition. Unfortunately, SQL Server 2005 Express Edition doesn't
include management tools like SQL Server Enterprise Manager. It includes a
command line utility (sqlcmd) for management.
To use this function, click Start, click Run, and type sqlcmd.exe.
For its usage, you can refer to:
Using the sqlcmd Utility (SQL Server Express)
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165702.aspx

If you want to use the management tool like SQL Server 2000 Enterprise
Manager, you need to install the client tool "SQL Server Management Studio
Express" which can be downloaded from:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to let me
know. It's my pleasure to be of assistance.

Charles Wang
Microsoft Online Community Support

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