BUG: Missing Log Device Causes Access Violation at Startup

  - Microsoft SQL Server version 4.21 for Windows NT

SYMPTOMS

During startup, SQL Server generates an access violation and a Dr. Watson error may be displayed. Examining the SQL Server error log will show an error opening a device that contains the active portion of the log.

For example:

   server   Activating disk 'TestLog'
   kernel   udopen: operating system error 2(The system
            cannot find the file specified.) during the
            creation/opening of physical device
            e:\sql\data\TestLog.dat
   kernel   udactivate: failed to open device
            e:\sql\data\TestLog.dat for vdn 2
   kernel   SQL Server i/o to the device will be disabled

   server   Recovering database 'Test'
   kernel   udstartio: vdn 2 has not been set up

CAUSE

SQL Server is causing an access violation while trying to return an error message.

WORKAROUND

Verify that the log device exists and is named correctly. The file name and path that SQL Server is attempting to use is recorded in the error log.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 4.21 for Windows NT. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.