I may have posted this question in the wrong forum .... if so, my apologies.

I installed Microsoft Accounting on my desktop only to discover that it is
not available for UK use. A Microsoft technician helped me to uninstall it
all and in the process appears to have damaged the SQL processes on my
machine. Now, each time I re start my machine I receive an error message that
prevents the machine from booting further until it has been cleared. Error
message is as follows:
"Header: Support Code: 8503001f
SQL Server
SQL Server could not find the specified named instance (PINNACLESYS) -
please specify the name of an existing instance on the invocation od
sqlsrvr.exe. If you believe that your installation is corrupt or has been
tampered with, uninstall then re-run setup to correct this problem."

I have no idea how to reinstall SQL Server but I have uninstalled and then
reinstalled my copy of Studio 11 (the Pinnacle video editing software that I
presumed was causing the problem). This made no difference at all and Studio
11 seems to be working fine. The error message is a dratted nuisance but
other than on boot up, the error appears to cause no particular problems. Can
anyone point me to a solution to get rid of the problem please?

Many thanks.
--
John

JohnH (JohnH (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com) writes:
It seems that this message appears when you start SQL Server from the
command line, which is a bit unusual. Normally it runs as a service.

But so much is clear, you have on instance SQL Server on the machine -
the error message comes from the sqlservr executable. But apparently the
installation is not good. Although, good enough for the Pinnacle software
not to repair on reinstall!

It seems that you need to reinstall SQL Server itself. Presumably, this
is the Express Edition, which is freely available for download. But
we would need to know for sure. Can you try this? Search your disks
for sqlservr.exe, and when you find it for instance in
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe",
open a command line window and run it with -v as argument and post
the output.



--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel (AT) sommarskog (DOT) se

Links for SQL Server Books Online:
SQL 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/cc514207.aspx
SQL 2005: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb895970.aspx
SQL 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinf...ons/books.mspx

I have to apologise again. The error message I received did not include the
Header: Support Code: 8503001f. I am sorry if I have misled anyone .... but I
am still hoping for a solution to the problem.
Many thanks,
John
--
John


"JohnH" wrote:

--
John


"Erland Sommarskog" wrote:

Hello Erland.

Very many thanks for the quick reply.

I have possibly misled you regarding the point at which the error message is
received. It always appears on screen shortly after the XP login dialog is
presented. If I am quick in logging on to Windows, the error message is the
next item to appear on screen. Until I have clicked the OK button, the
installation of XP items will not proceed. Once I have OK'd out of the error
dialog everything proceeds OK.

I carried out the search you suggested and there are no instances of
sqlservr.exe on any of my 3 drives. So I think you're probably correct in
saying that I need to reinstall SQL Server. The version I would have on my
machine is certain to be the express version as I have never (knowingly)
bought a version of SQL Server. Are you able to point me to an address where
I can download and reinstall please?

Thanks again,
John
--
John


"JohnH" wrote:

JohnH (JohnH (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com) writes:
No, you really have an instance of sqlservr.exe on your machine. I know,
because the error message comes from the executable itself. But Windows
does not always seems think that finding such files is not good for your
health. (Although, Vista seems to be a lot worse than XP in this regard.)

Anyway, I have concluded that you have the Express Edtion, and that you have
SQL 2005. (Had you had SQL 2008, there would probably not have been an
error message, just an empty message box!)

My theory is also that you have a so-called user-instance, which lives
under your Documents and Settings. But this user instance needs a main
instance, and presumably the uninstall of Microsoft Account blew that
one away.

You can download SQL Express SQL 2005 SP3 here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...42a-4090-4431-
acdd-9a1c832e65a6&displaylang=en

But just don't click Next through the Install! At some point you should
give the instance name, and the default name is SQLEXPRESS. But you want
PINNACLESYS.

Now, let's only hope that Pinnacle does not need any databases in the
main instances. In that case, you will have some more problems...

--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel (AT) sommarskog (DOT) se

Links for SQL Server Books Online:
SQL 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/cc514207.aspx
SQL 2005: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb895970.aspx
SQL 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinf...ons/books.mspx

Hi again Erland.

I found the copy - it was on my external backup drive and when I tried to
install SQLEXPR32 the installation hung and no amount of retries would get it
to continue. The dialog I got was:

"The SQL Server service failed to start. For more information see the SQL
Server Books Online topics, "How to: View SQL Server 2005 Setup Log Files"
and "Starting SQL Server Manually."

I guess that's because its trying to install via a USB connection and that
ain't on. Now I'm thoroughly out of my depth!
--
John


"Erland Sommarskog" wrote:

JohnH (JohnH (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com) writes:
No, I don't think so. But I agree that your prospects are starting to
look a little bleak.

But try this. Under the Start Menu, you should find SQL Server Configuration
Manager in the SQL Server Program group. Start this. Under the first node,
"SQL Server Services", you should see "SQL Server (PINNACLESYS)". Right-
click and select Start.

Trying to sort out install problems over newsgroups is always difficult,
and since you don't seem to be a regular SQL Server player, it seems
even more difficult. Is it possible that Pinnacle has a support desk
that could help you?

--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel (AT) sommarskog (DOT) se

Links for SQL Server Books Online:
SQL 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/cc514207.aspx
SQL 2005: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb895970.aspx
SQL 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinf...ons/books.mspx

Hello again Erland.

Sorry for the delay - I've been out of the office for a few days.

I did contact Pinnacle and they seemed unable to help. I spent ages with
their helpdesk for Studio 11 but they seemed unable (or perhaps unprepared)
to deal with the problem. I'm beginning to think that the only solution will
be a clean install of XP (and all other software). I guess it's overdue as
its been a couple of years since I last did it.

I did look under the Start menu in All Programs and could find not reference
to SQL Server Configuration Manager or the SQL Server Program group. In
Program Files there are two references. The first is Microsoft SQL Server
(containing 3 folders labelled 80, 90 and MSSQL.1. All 3 folders contain
additional folders and/or files) and the second is Microsoft SQL Server
Compact Edition (containing a single folder v3.1).

It sounds as though the task of sorting this via the user forum may be too
daunting and I shall understand fully if you want to call it a day. I shall
then either do a fresh install of XP or I'll wait for Windows 7.

Many thanks for your efforts in trying to help me.
--
John


"Erland Sommarskog" wrote:

JohnH (JohnH (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com) writes:
Who wants reinstall a machine? I hate it everytime I have to do it -
be that because of a hardware problem, or because I get new box or
OS. It takes ages to get everything in place.

It is the folder with MSSQL.1 that holds the remnants of the missing
instance. Not you will have much use for that piece of information.

One more option is to open a support case with Microsoft. But they are
likely to charge you an arm and a leg. Or did you say that a Microsoft
person helped you to uninstall Microsoft Accounting? After all, it seems
to be a bug in that uninstall that caused the problem. So from that point
of view, they should refund you. But I would not take that for granted.

--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel (AT) sommarskog (DOT) se

Links for SQL Server Books Online:
SQL 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/cc514207.aspx
SQL 2005: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb895970.aspx
SQL 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinf...ons/books.mspx