I have been fighting with SQL Express 2008 all day today.  I installed it last week with Visual Web Developer Express 2008.   The instal process upgraded my SQL Server 2005 instance to a SQL Server 2008 Instace, I really didn't want that, but okay, no problem.  

The issue is that when I reinstall SQL Server 2008 I am not getting the option to install SQL Management Tool 2008, whcih you need in order to manage the SQL site.  

When I get this worked out I will let you know what I found out during the process.

UPDATE:

I got it fixed http://www.hilbertsolutions.com/Blog/tabid/60/EntryID/20/Default.aspx