See this error when attempting to install Sharepoint V3.0 on Small Business Server 2003?
The config wizard gets to stage 5, but says:
Configuration Failed
Failed to Register SharePoint Services
An exception of type System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException was thrown. Additional exception information: Could not access the Search services configuration database.
If so try :
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following subkey, and then delete it:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Web Server Extensions\12.0\WSS\Services\Microsoft.SharePoint.Search.Administration.SPSearchService
-Run the SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard again.”
which seems to do the trick.
CIAOPS 