Question

SQL2000 SP3 master db restore failing even when in single user mode using sqlservr.exe -c -m

Asked by: yvsupport

Hi all,

I'm struggling to do a master DB restore from backup. I've done before so not sure why this box is a problem. I've stopped SQL, SQL Agent & Report Server services. Started SQL in single user mode using sqlservr.exe -c -m, opened only query analyzer as sa (no object browser) and run the query:

RESTORE DATABASE master FROM DISK = 'c:\master_db_200907020100.BAK'
but I still recieve:
Server: Msg 3108, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
RESTORE DATABASE must be used in single user mode when trying to restore the master database.
Server: Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally.

I'm certain the database is in single user mode and I've stopped all services that I can possibly think of that may be accessing SQL in some way.

I've also run an sp_who and there are 16 spids, but they are all sa.

Anyone got any ideas? Thanks in advance.

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Asked On
2009-07-07 at 03:49:20ID24549085
Tags

SQL Server 2000

Topic

MS SQL Server

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Comments
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Answers

 

by: rrjegan17Posted on 2009-07-07 at 04:45:07ID: 24793272

Error says that your instance is not in single user mode.
Kindly try it again with the steps mentioned below:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190679.aspx

Hope this helps.

 

by: yvsupportPosted on 2009-07-07 at 04:54:43ID: 24793338

Hi rrjegan17,

I'm starting SQL using sqlservr.exe -c -m so i think it is in single user mode but still get the error. is there a way to check?

 

by: rrjegan17Posted on 2009-07-07 at 05:13:09ID: 24793435

Just issue the statement sqlservr.exe -m and check it out.

Kindly try out using

-m"Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio - Query" to open a query window and handle it over there.

 

by: yvsupportPosted on 2009-07-07 at 05:39:58ID: 24793625

Tried just -m but still the same problem. This is SQL 2000 so no management studio, but yes I am running the restore in query analyser but have also tried doing it in enterprise manager.

 

by: rrjegan17Posted on 2009-07-07 at 05:56:22ID: 24793728

 

by: yvsupportPosted on 2009-07-07 at 06:33:08ID: 24794038

Hi rrjegan17,

Yes that is exactly what I've tried already.

I think that there is something on the server using SQL the second I start it in single user mode. If I do an sp_who2, there are more spid's than i think there should be in single user mode. I've attached a screenshot along with another server I have placed in single user mode that does allow me to restore master.

 

by: yvsupportPosted on 2009-07-07 at 07:03:00ID: 24794295

I've just answered my own question. Something was grabbing SQL, no idea what but MS page shows how to start in single user mode only allowing one application access. In this case query analyser so i can do my restore. The command is sqlservr.exe -m"query analyzer"

The website is:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188236.aspx

I can't believe I've spent days on this one!! Thanks for your help anyway.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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