Server does not exist or access denied

[jartman]

I'm very new to SQL server and got myself into trouble that I can't seem to get out of because I don't even know the terminology, where the relevant admin tools are, etc.

A hard drive crash forced me to recover my Win2003 SBS Server using Automated Recovery. Ever since then I'm not getting server monitoring reports and I get lots (thousands)of events like "Unable to connect to the database STS_Config on LINGATE\SharePoint. Check the database connection information and make sure that the database server is running"

Problem is, I'm not sure I know the database server is running, or even if SQL is properly installed, or how to reinstall it. Most of the posted references to this problem refer to tools that I guess are only available in the GUI SQL Server interfaces, but I don't have those (I'm on MSDE that gets installed with SBS).

Here's what I do know, maybe you guys can tell me which pieces are relevant:

MSSQL$SBSMONITORING and MSSQL$SHAREPOINT services are not running - if I start them they start fine, stop immediately, and post a message saying that it's normal for them to stop if they have nothing to do. The SQLAgent services for these two fail to start because the MSSQL$ services are not running. They're all set to run as Local System.

I have directories under Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server for both of these, and I verified full access permissions for the SYSTEM account (is that the same as Local System?) and Administrators group.

I don't have any services or directories called STS_Config (maybe that's inside the Sharepoint database?).

I can't run osql -S -E. It fails to start with a message:
"SQL Server does not exist or access denied"
"ConnectionOpen (Connect())

There's nothing vaguely sounding like SQL Server in Control Panel add/remove programs or in add/remove windows components. Also I don't see anything about SQL Server on the SBS CD's. I did reinstall the server monitoring services but it didn't make any difference.

Any clues would be appreciated.

- John

 

[SQLSister]

I can't answer your other questions, but I can confirm STS_Config would indeed be one of the databases creating when using Sharepoint.

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[SQLSister]

Forgot to add. There is a Sharepoint Forum, if no one here can help you, you might try it.

forum820

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[mrdenny]

OK, the reason that osql -S -E isn't working is because there is probally no default instance on the machine. Check for a service named MSSQLSERVER. If that is not there then there is no default instance.

In the folder that SQL Server is installed in (I'll use MSSQL$SHAREPOINT as an example) you should see a folder called log. In there is a file called ERRORLOG. That should give you some detailed info as to why the service isn't starting. The default install point for this service is c:\Program files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$SHAREPOINT\ however it could have been installed anywhere. If need by search for sqlservr.exe.

Yes the SYSTEM account is the same as Local System.

STS_Config is going to be a database within the SHAREPOINT SQL Service instance. I'm assuming that when you restored the server you used the same name LINGATE?

Answer these and we'll see where we can go from there.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[jartman]

Sure enough, there's no default instance. The error log says:

initconfig: Error 2(The system cannot find the file specified.) opening 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$SHAREPOINT\Data\master.mdf' for configuration information.

I used the same server name when I did the restore.

So how can I recreate or reinstall the databases? (There was nothing of particular relevance in either of them.) And do I also need to reinstall MSDE separately?

Thanks
-John