Cannot create subscription

Our client has a merge publication (SQL 2005) with publisher and distributor
on same server. I am trying to create the local subscription on a laptop
with SQL 2005 Express. I go through the create new subscription wizard just
fine but when it goes to create the subscription from the server I get the
following error:

"Cannot create the subscription because the subscription already exists in
the subscription database. Only one subscription to the same publication is
allowed in each subscription database. Drop the subscription and add it
again if necessary. If the problem persists, replication metadata might be
incorrect; see Books Online for troubleshooting information.
Changed database context to 'MCFIData'. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error:
14058)"

The subscription does not exist in the SQL Express laptop. I even tried
deleting the local db and recreating it, but get the same error. Any ideas
on what I can look for? Thanks.

David

Hi David,
presumably there is an entry at the publisher for this subscriber. Have a
look to see if this is the case. If so then run:

USE yourpublisherdatabase
EXEC sp_dropmergesubscription
@publication = @publication,
@subscriber = @subscriber,
@subscriber_db = @subscriptionDB;
GO

HTH,

Paul Ibison