Getting error Invalid JSON primitive

Question

I am installing Sitecore 9 on my laptop running Windows 10, SQL Express 2016. At the very last steps of installation (around step 29) I am getting stuck at same spot.

The output is

[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CreateCores [11] : ManageSolrCore -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]
[CreateCores [11]]:[SolrCore] Performing Create on https://localhost:8983/solr


responseHeader         core
--------------         ----
@{status=0; QTime=391} sitecore9_fxm_web_index


[TIME] 00:00:29
Transcript stopped, output file is C:\sitecore\install\sitecore-solr.180609.log
ConvertFrom-Json : Invalid JSON primitive: .
At C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\SitecoreInstallFramework\Public\ConfigFunctions\Invoke-ReadJsonConfigFunction.ps1:13 char:74
+ ... th).Where({ $_ -notmatch '^\s*\/\/'}) | Out-String | ConvertFrom-Json
+                                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (:) [ConvertFrom-Json], ArgumentException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : System.ArgumentException,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.ConvertFromJsonCommand

GetSection : Cannot bind argument to parameter 'InputObject' because it is null.
At C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\SitecoreInstallFramework\Public\Install-SitecoreConfiguration.ps1:26 char:73
+ ...  if ($params = GetSection -Section 'Parameters' -InputObject $json) {
+                                                                  ~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidData: (:) [GetSection], ParameterBindingValidationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationErrorNullNotAllowed,GetSection

Install-SitecoreConfiguration : A parameter cannot be found that matches parameter name 'SqlServer'.
At C:\sitecore\install\installation.ps1:88 char:31
+ Install-SitecoreConfiguration @sitecoreParams
+                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: (:) [Install-SitecoreConfiguration], ParameterBindingException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : NamedParameterNotFound,Install-SitecoreConfiguration

It seems to be complaining about a . in JSON file.

Also it seems to be complaining that Install-SitecoreConfiguration : A parameter cannot be found that matches parameter name 'SqlServer'.

At C:\sitecore\install\installation.ps1:88 char:31

+ Install-SitecoreConfiguration @sitecoreParams

I am at loss there. I am just hoping this will be the last hurdle to pass.

Closest link is this question Sitecore installation framework fails parameter error but he was trying to install on SQL Server 2014 and I have read at many places that people have successfully installed on SQL Express 2016 also.

Any clues on this error, thanks?

Windows 10 / Powershell 5.1 / Solr 6.2.1 / Sitecore 9.0.0 rev. 171002 / SQL Express 2016

Tested with following Ms SQL Server 2016 ending in same error

Ms SQL Express 2016 SP1
Ms SQL Express 2016 SP2
Ms SQL Server 2016 Developer SP1

----------------- Installation.ps1 -----------------------

#define parameters 
$prefix = "sitecore9" 
$PSScriptRoot = "C:\sitecore\install\"
$XConnectCollectionService = "$prefix.xconnect" 
$sitecoreSiteName = "$prefix" 
$SolrUrl = "https://localhost:8983/solr" 
$SolrRoot = "C:\sitecore\solr-6.6.1\" 
$SolrService = "solr6" 
$SqlServer = "SQLSERVER" 
$SqlAdminUser = "sa" 
$SqlAdminPassword='Admin1234%^' 


#install client certificate for xconnect 
$certParams = @{     
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\xconnect-createcert.json"     
    CertificateName = "$prefix.xconnect_client" 
    } 

Install-SitecoreConfiguration @certParams -Verbose 

#install solr cores for xdb 
$solrParams = 
@{     
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\xconnect-solr.json"     
    SolrUrl = $SolrUrl     
    SolrRoot = $SolrRoot     
    SolrService = $SolrService     
    CorePrefix = $prefix 
} 
Install-SitecoreConfiguration @solrParams -Verbose 

#deploy xconnect instance 
$xconnectParams = @{     
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\xconnect-xp0.json"     
    Package = "$PSScriptRoot\Sitecore 9.0.0 rev. 171002 (OnPrem)_xp0xconnect.scwdp.zip"     
    LicenseFile = "$PSScriptRoot\license.xml"     
    Sitename = $XConnectCollectionService     
    XConnectCert = $certParams.CertificateName     
    SqlDbPrefix = $prefix  
    SqlServer = $SqlServer  
    SqlAdminUser = $SqlAdminUser     
    SqlAdminPassword = $SqlAdminPassword     
    SolrCorePrefix = $prefix     
    SolrURL = $SolrUrl      
    } 

Install-SitecoreConfiguration @xconnectParams -Verbose 

#install solr cores for sitecore $solrParams = 
$solrParams = @{     
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\sitecore-solr.json"     
    SolrUrl = $SolrUrl     
    SolrRoot = $SolrRoot     
    SolrService = $SolrService     
    CorePrefix = $prefix 
} 

Install-SitecoreConfiguration @solrParams 

#install sitecore instance 
$xconnectHostName = "$prefix.xconnect" 
$sitecoreParams = 
@{     
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\sitecore-XP0.json"     
    Package = "$PSScriptRoot\Sitecore 9.0.0 rev. 171002 (OnPrem)_single.scwdp.zip"  
    LicenseFile = "$PSScriptRoot\license.xml"     
    SqlDbPrefix = $prefix  
    SqlServer = $SqlServer  
    SqlAdminUser = $SqlAdminUser     
    SqlAdminPassword = $SqlAdminPassword     
    SolrCorePrefix = $prefix  
    SolrUrl = $SolrUrl     
    XConnectCert = $certParams.CertificateName     
    Sitename = $sitecoreSiteName         
    XConnectCollectionService = "https://$XConnectCollectionService"    
} 
Install-SitecoreConfiguration @sitecoreParams

----------------- sitecore-XP0.json -----------------------

// -------------------------------------------------------------------------- //
//         Sitecore Install Framework - Sitecore XP0 Configuration            //
//                                                                            //
//  Run this configuration to install a single instance of Sitecore.          //
//  This instance is configured to use Solr.                                  //
//                                                                            //
//  NOTE: Only single line comments are accepted in configurations.           //
// -------------------------------------------------------------------------- //
{
    "Parameters": {
        // Parameters are values that may be passed when Install-SitecoreConfiguration is called.
        // Parameters must declare a Type and may declare a DefaultValue and Description.
        // Parameters with no DefaultValue are required when Install-SitecoreConfiguration is called.
        "Package": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Description": "The path to the Web Deploy package to deploy."
        },
        "LicenseFile": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Description": "The path to the Sitecore license file.",
        },
        "SqlDbPrefix": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Description": "The prefix used for all Sql databases.",
        },
        "SolrCorePrefix": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Description": "The prefix used for all Solr cores.",
        },
        "XConnectCert": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Description": "The certificate to use for encryption. Provide the name or the thumbprint."
        },
        "SiteName": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "Sitecore",
            "Description": "The name of the site to be deployed."
        },
        "SitecoreAdminPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "b",
            "Description": "The admin password for the Sitecore instance."
        },
        "SqlAdminUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "sc9",
            "Description": "The Sql admin user account to use when installing databases."
        },
        "SqlAdminPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "admin1234%^",
            "Description": "The Sql admin password to use when installing databases."
        },
        "SqlCoreUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "coreuser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Core connection string."
        },
        "SqlCorePassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Core connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlMasterUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "masteruser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Master connection string."
        },
        "SqlMasterPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Master connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlWebUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "webuser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Web connection string."
        },
        "SqlWebPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Web connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlReportingUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "reportinguser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Reporting connection string."
        },
        "SqlReportingPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Reporting connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlProcessingPoolsUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "poolsuser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Processing Pools connection string."
        },
        "SqlProcessingPoolsPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Processing Pools connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlProcessingTasksUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "tasksuser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Processing Tasks connection string."
        },
        "SqlProcessingTasksPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Processing Tasks connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlReferenceDataUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "referencedatauser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Reference Data connection string."
        },
        "SqlReferenceDataPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Reference Data connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlMarketingAutomationUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "marketingautomationuser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Marketing Automation connection string."
        },
        "SqlMarketingAutomationPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Marketing Automation connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlFormsUser": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "formsuser",
            "Description": "The user to create and use in Experience Forms connection string."
        },
        "SqlFormsPassword": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "4rfv%TGB6yhn",
            "Description": "The Sql password for the Experience Forms connection string in Sitecore.",
            "Value": "4rfv%TGB6yhn"
        },
        "SqlServer": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "SQLEXPRESS",
            "Description": "The Sql Server where databases will be installed."
        },
        "SolrUrl": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "https://localhost:8983/solr",
            "Description": "The Solr instance to use."
        },
        "XConnectCollectionService": {
            "Type": "string",
            "DefaultValue": "https://XConnect",
            "Description": "The url for the XConnect Collection Service."
        },
        "XConnectReferenceDataService": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Reference": "XConnectCollectionService",
            "Description": "The url for the XConnect Collection Search Service."
        },
        "MarketingAutomationOperationsService": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Reference": "XConnectCollectionService",
            "Description": "The url for the XConnect Marketing Automation Service."
        },
        "MarketingAutomationReportingService": {
            "Type": "string",
            "Reference": "XConnectCollectionService",
            "Description": "The url for the XConnect Marketing Automation Reporting Service."
        }
    },
    "Variables": {
        // Database names.
        "Sql.Database.Core":                "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_Core')]",
        "Sql.Database.Master":              "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_Master')]",
        "Sql.Database.Web":                 "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_Web')]",
        "Sql.Database.Reporting":           "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_Reporting')]",
        "Sql.Database.Reference":           "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_ReferenceData')]",
        "Sql.Database.Forms":               "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_ExperienceForms')]",
        "Sql.Database.Pools":               "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_Processing.Pools')]",
        "Sql.Database.Tasks":               "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_Processing.Tasks')]",
        "Sql.Database.MarketingAutomation": "[concat(parameter('SqlDbPrefix'), '_MarketingAutomation')]",

        // The security certificate details
        "Security.CertificateStore":                "Cert:\\Localmachine\\My",
        "Security.XConnect.CertificateThumbprint":  "[GetCertificateThumbprint(parameter('XConnectCert'), variable('Security.CertificateStore'))]",
        "Security.XConnect.CertificatePath":        "[joinpath(variable('Security.CertificateStore'), variable('Security.XConnect.CertificateThumbprint'))]",

        // Solr core names.
        "Solr.Core.Name":       "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_core_index')]",
        "Solr.Master.Name":     "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_master_index')]",
        "Solr.Web.Name":        "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_web_index')]",
        "Solr.MD.Master.Name":  "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_marketingdefinitions_master')]",
        "Solr.MD.Web.Name":     "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_marketingdefinitions_web')]",
        "Solr.MA.Master.Name":  "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_marketing_asset_index_master')]",
        "Solr.MA.Web.Name":     "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_marketing_asset_index_web')]",
        "Solr.Testing.Name":    "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_testing_index')]",
        "Solr.Suggested.Name":  "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_suggested_test_index')]",
        "Solr.FXM.Master.Name": "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_fxm_master_index')]",
        "Solr.FXM.Web.Name":    "[concat(parameter('SolrCorePrefix'), '_fxm_web_index')]",

        // The sites full path on disk
        "Site.PhysicalPath": "[joinpath(environment('SystemDrive'), 'inetpub', 'wwwroot', parameter('SiteName'))]",

        // The sites data folder
        "Site.DataFolder": "[joinpath(variable('Site.PhysicalPath'), 'App_Data')]"
    },
    "Tasks": {
        // Tasks are separate units of work in a configuration.
        // Each task is an action that will be completed when Install-SitecoreConfiguration is called.
        // By default, tasks are applied in the order they are declared.
        // Tasks may reference Parameters, Variables, and config functions.
        "CreatePaths": {
            // Ensure the destination path for the site exists.
            "Type": "EnsurePath",
            "Params": {
                "Exists": [ "[variable('Site.PhysicalPath')]" ]
            }
        },
        "CreateAppPool": {
            // Creates or updates the app pool.
            "Type": "AppPool",
            "Params": {
                "Name": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "Properties": {
                    "ProcessModel": {
                        "identityType": "ApplicationPoolIdentity"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "CreateWebsite": {
            // Creates or updates the IIS website instance.
            "Type": "Website",
            "Params": {
                "Name": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "ApplicationPool": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "PhysicalPath": "[variable('Site.PhysicalPath')]"
            }
        },
        "StopWebsite": {
            // Stops the website if it is running.
            "Type": "ManageWebsite",
            "Params": {
                "Name": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "Action": "Stop"
            }
        },
        "StopAppPool": {
            // Stops the app pool if it is running.
            "Type": "ManageAppPool",
            "Params": {
                "Name": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "Action": "Stop"
            }
        },
        "CreateBindings": {
            // Configures the site bindings for the website.
            "Type": "WebBinding",
            "Params": {
                "SiteName": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "Add": [ { "HostHeader": "[parameter('SiteName')]" } ],
                "Remove": [ { "Port": "80", "IPAddress": "*" } ]
            }
        },
        "CreateHostHeader": {
            // Sets a hostheader for the website.
            "Type": "HostHeader",
            "Params": {
                "HostName": "[parameter('SiteName')]"
            }
        },
        "SetPermissions": {
            // Sets permissions for the app pool user.
            "Type": "FilePermissions",
            "Params": {
                "Path": "[variable('Site.PhysicalPath')]",
                "Rights": [
                    {
                        "User": "[concat('IIS AppPool\\', parameter('SiteName'))]",
                        "FileSystemRights": "FullControl",
                        "InheritanceFlags": [ "ContainerInherit", "ObjectInherit" ]
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        "SetCertStorePermissions": {
            // Set permissions for the services to access the client certificate.
            "Type": "FilePermissions",
            "Params": {
                "Path": "[ResolveCertificatePath(variable('Security.XConnect.CertificatePath'))]",
                "Rights": [
                    {
                        "User": "[concat('IIS AppPool\\', parameter('SiteName'))]",
                        "FileSystemRights": [ "Read" ],
                        "InheritanceFlags": [ "None" ]
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        "InstallWDP": {
            // Syncs the web deploy package with the website.
            "Type": "WebDeploy",
            "Params": {
                "Verb": "Sync",
                "Arguments": {
                    "Source": {
                        "Package": "[resolvepath(parameter('Package'))]"
                    },
                    "Dest": "Auto",
                    "SetParam": [
                        { "Name": "Application Path", "Value": "[parameter('SiteName')]" },
                        { "Name": "Database Server Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlServer')]" },
                        { "Name": "Sitecore Admin New Password", "Value": "[parameter('SitecoreAdminPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Database Admin User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlAdminUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Database Admin User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlAdminPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Core DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Core')]" },
                        { "Name": "Master DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Master')]" },
                        { "Name": "Web DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Web')]" },
                        { "Name": "Reporting DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Reporting')]" },
                        { "Name": "XDB Reference Data DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Reference')]" },
                        { "Name": "Experience Forms DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Forms')]" },
                        { "Name": "Marketing Automation DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.MarketingAutomation')]" },
                        { "Name": "Processing Pools DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Pools')]" },
                        { "Name": "Processing Tasks DB Name", "Value": "[variable('Sql.Database.Tasks')]" },
                        { "Name": "Core DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlCoreUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Core DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlCorePassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Master DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlMasterUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Master DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlMasterPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Web DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlWebUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Web DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlWebPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Reporting DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlReportingUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Reporting DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlReportingPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "XDB Reference Data DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlReferenceDataUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "XDB Reference Data DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlReferenceDataPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Experience Forms DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlFormsUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Experience Forms DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlFormsPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Marketing Automation DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlMarketingAutomationUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Marketing Automation DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlMarketingAutomationPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Processing Pools DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlProcessingPoolsUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Processing Pools DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlProcessingPoolsPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "Processing Tasks DB User Name", "Value": "[parameter('SqlProcessingTasksUser')]" },
                        { "Name": "Processing Tasks DB User Password", "Value": "[parameter('SqlProcessingTasksPassword')]" },
                        { "Name": "XConnect Collection", "Value": "[parameter('XConnectCollectionService')]" },
                        { "Name": "Xdb Reference Data Client", "Value": "[parameter('XConnectReferenceDataService')]" },
                        { "Name": "XDB MA Reporting Client", "Value": "[parameter('MarketingAutomationReportingService')]" },
                        { "Name": "XDB MA Ops Client", "Value": "[parameter('MarketingAutomationOperationsService')]" },
                        { "Name": "XConnect Server Certificate Validation Thumbprint", "Value": "[variable('Security.XConnect.CertificateThumbprint')]" },
                        { "Name": "SOLR Connection String", "Value": "[parameter('SolrUrl')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Core Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.Core.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Master Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.Master.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Web Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.Web.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Marketing Definitions Master Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.MD.Master.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Marketing Definitions Web Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.MD.Web.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Marketing Asset Master Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.MA.Master.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Marketing Asset Web Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.MA.Web.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Testing Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.Testing.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr Suggested Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.Suggested.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr FXM Master Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.FXM.Master.Name')]" },
                        { "Name": "Solr FXM Web Index Name", "Value": "[variable('Solr.FXM.Web.Name')]" }
                    ]
                }
            }
        },
        "SetLicense": {
            // Copies the license file to the instance data folder.
            "Type": "Copy",
            "Params": {
                "Source": "[resolvepath(parameter('LicenseFile'))]",
                "Destination": "[variable('Site.DataFolder')]"
            }
        },
        "StartAppPool": {
            // Starts the app pool.
            "Type": "ManageAppPool",
            "Params": {
                "Name": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "Action": "Start"
            }
        },
        "StartWebsite": {
            // Starts the website.
            "Type": "ManageWebsite",
            "Params": {
                "Name": "[parameter('SiteName')]",
                "Action": "Start"
            }
        },
        "UpdateSolrSchema": {
            // Update the solr schemas.
            "Type": "SitecoreUrl",
            "Params": {
                "SitecoreInstanceRoot": "[concat('http://', parameter('SiteName'))]",
                "SitecoreActionPath": "sitecore/admin/PopulateManagedSchema.aspx?indexes=all",
                "UserName": "admin",
                "Password": "[parameter('SitecoreAdminPassword')]"
            }
        }
    }
}

------- QUERY TO DROP DB ------

Please note that it does connect to SQL server and setup databases which I have to drop first to try to reinstall. This shows my server and my settings are fine.

USE master;  
GO  
DROP DATABASE sitecore9_MarketingAutomation, [sitecore9_Processing.Pools], sitecore9_ReferenceData, [sitecore9_Xdb.Collection.Shard0], [sitecore9_Xdb.Collection.Shard1], [sitecore9_Xdb.Collection.ShardMapManager]
GO

It is SQL Express 2016 SP2 Version 13.2.5026.0. So now I am uninstalling it and should try SQL Express 2016 SP1. — Sallu, Jun 8, 2018 at 19:46
@VladIobagiu same error with SQL Express 2016 SP1 version 13.1.4001.0 — Sallu, Jun 9, 2018 at 3:05
Can you post here your ps1 install script and also json configs if you changed them directly? — Peter Procházka, Jun 9, 2018 at 15:47

Amitabh Vyas · Accepted Answer · 2018-06-11 14:30:28Z

I compared your JSON file with a vanilla JSON file. Seems you have done plenty of edits in it.

Especially when you:

Updated the Default passwords as well as added "Value" parameter.
Deleted "SqlMessagingUser" along with other parameters.
Edited the "SqlServer" Default value.

I would recommend:

If you want to override the detault password then try passing those as a parameter from you PS1 file OR just update the DefaultValue on both sitecore-XP0.json and xconnect-xp0.json files for all the Test12345 passwords replacing with your custom password. Exactly the way it is suggested on the another question which you asked.
Verify the DefaultValue you updated for SqlServer in your JSON file at line number 155.
Validate all the other parameters you deleted from the JSON file like SqlMessagingUser, SqlMessagingPassword, SqlExmMasterUser, SqlExmMasterPassword etc

My JSON file looks something like this after updating the Default passwords:

"SqlAdminUser": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "sa",
    "Description": "The Sql admin user account to use when installing databases."
},
"SqlAdminPassword": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "custom@1234",
    "Description": "The Sql admin password to use when installing databases."
},
"SqlCoreUser": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "coreuser",
    "Description": "The user to create and use in Core connection string."
},
"SqlCorePassword": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "custom@1234",
    "Description": "The Sql password for the Core connection string in Sitecore."
},
"SqlMasterUser": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "masteruser",
    "Description": "The user to create and use in Master connection string."
},
"SqlMasterPassword": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "custom@1234",
    "Description": "The Sql password for the Master connection string in Sitecore."
},
"SqlWebUser": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "webuser",
    "Description": "The user to create and use in Web connection string."
},
"SqlWebPassword": {
    "Type": "string",
    "DefaultValue": "custom@1234",
    "Description": "The Sql password for the Web connection string in Sitecore."
},

Else you can have it like the way Ed Schwehm suggested:

$SqlMarketingAutomationPassword = "Sup3rSecureS1tecore_pass!" 

$xconnectParams = @{
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\xconnect-xp0.json"
    Package = "$PSScriptRoot\Sitecore 9.0.1 rev. 171219 (OnPrem)_xp0xconnect.scwdp.zip"
    LicenseFile = "$PSScriptRoot\license.xml"
    SiteName = $XConnectCollectionService
    XConnectCert = $certParams.CertificateName
    SqlDbPrefix = $prefix
    SqlServer = $SqlServer
    SqlAdminUser = $SqlAdminUser
    SqlAdminPassword = $SqlAdminPassword
    SolrCorePrefix = $prefix
    SolrURL = $SolrUrl
    SqlMarketingAutomationPassword = $SqlMarketingAutomationPassword
}

$sitecoreParams = @{
    Path = "$PSScriptRoot\sitecore-XP0.json"
    Package = "$PSScriptRoot\Sitecore 9.0.1 rev. 171219 (OnPrem)_single.scwdp.zip"
    LicenseFile = "$PSScriptRoot\license.xml"
    SqlDbPrefix = $prefix
    SqlServer = $SqlServer
    SqlAdminUser = $SqlAdminUser
    SqlAdminPassword = $SqlAdminPassword
    SolrCorePrefix = $prefix
    SolrUrl = $SolrUrl
    XConnectCert = $certParams.CertificateName
    SiteName = $sitecoreSiteName
    XConnectCollectionService = "https://$XConnectCollectionService"
    SqlMarketingAutomationPassword = $SqlMarketingAutomationPassword
}

Try again using a fresh JSON with minimal edits which you want to do. Good luck.

Hello @Amitabh, Thanks a lot for your reply. Honestly speaking I had so many issues starting with password that I lost track of my edits. I am sure during those edits I damaged json files. Thanks for pointing it out. I started fresh, I only edited DefaultValue of all passwords and it worked. — Sallu, Jun 11, 2018 at 22:38

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