To run SQL Server 2008 on Windows 7, you need to update it to SP1. There are "known issues". Also, SQL Server 2008 BIDS will not install on Windows 7 unless you have updated VS 2008 to SP1.
If you're doing a fresh install of VS 2008 and SQL 2008 on Windows 7, install in this order:
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VS 2008, WITHOUT SQL Server Express
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VS 2008 SP1
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MSDN Library for VS 2008 SP1 (if you're so inclined)
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SQL Server 2008
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SQL Server 2008 SP1
This will run you a couple hours.