Symptom:   SQL Installation fails with reference to COM+ problem, and a message about renaming a manifest file.   This may be result of the Microsoft DTC service not being installed on XP Pro.

Please follow the steps outlined here to re-install the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator service (MSDTC) if it is missing from the services:

From http://support.microsoft.com/kb/891801

1.At a command prompt, type the following command:

%WINDIR%\System32\msdtc.exe -uninstall

2.Start Registry Editor, and then remove the following registry keys if they exist:

3.At a command prompt, type %WINDIR%\System32\msdtc.exe -install.

4.Wait for disk activity to stop

5.In the registry, create the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSDTC\XADLL

6.At a command prompt, type regsvr32 mtxoci.dll.
You will receive a message that states that DllRegisterServer in Mtxoci.dll succeeded. Click OK to close the message.

7.At a command prompt, type %WINDIR%\System32\msdtc.exe -resetlog

8. Refresh the Services applet and you should see the MSDTC service.

 

After you have the MSDTC Service installed, you will need to re-install the MS SQL Server.  Since the initial try at installation may have left it partially installed, run the "Add/Remove" program utility in the Windows Server Control Panel and remove the partially installed MS SQL Server before reinstalling per the instructions at SQL Express Manual Installation.