When installing, I get the following message: "The SQL Server System Configuration Checker cannot be executed due to WMI configuration on the machine [YourComputerName] Error:2147749896 (0x800...

This error can be the result of any number of issues with your Windows setup.  To troubleshoot:

1. (Windows 2000 or Windows XP) Check the version of MDAC you have installed.  SQL Server will require MDAC 2.8 or higher.  To check MDAC:
• Click Start / Run.
• Type regedit
• Click OK
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DataAccess
• Note the Registry Key for Version. If less than 2.8.xxxx, download and install the latest MDAC 2.8 version.
2. Uninstall any remnant SQL Server 2005 components, if present. Most notably:
• Microsoft SQL Server Native Client
• Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English)
• Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer
3. Download and run the attached FixWMI.cmd file. Once you've downloaded the file to your computer, simply double-click the file to execute its process.  (The contents of this file is viewable in any text editor.)

After the above, begin the installation again.