PRB: Windows NT Error 2140 When Starting SQL Server

• Microsoft SQL Server, versions 6.0 and 6.5

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to start the MSSQLServer service may cause the following error:

   Windows NT Error 2140: An internal Windows NT error occurred.

   Init config error 2. The system cannot find the file specified.
   Opening master.dat for config information.

CAUSE

These errors can be caused by any of the following:

• The Master.dat file is not in the correct directory, or the Windows NT account being used does not have appropriate permissions to that directory.
• The Windows NT user account that the MSSQLServer service starts under does not have permission to the registry keys.
• An sp_configure value has been set out of range.
• Registry entries are missing.

WORKAROUND

To resolve this problem, do the following:

1. Check to make sure the Master.dat file exists in the <SQL_root>\Data directory. There may be a case where the master device was installed to another directory. To determine this, check the errorlog from the <SQL_root>\Log directory. If you find an operating system error 2 ("Could not find the file specified"), it will also list the path to the directory where SQL Server expects to find Master.dat.

   If you locate Master.dat and it is not in the <SQL_root>\Data directory, use the following command to start the MSSQLServer service:

         sqlservr /d<path_to_Master.dat> /e<path_to_errorlog>
   

   NOTE: There is no space between the command switches (that is, "d" or "e") and the paths. For more information on the SQLSERVR command-line executable program, see the SQL Server Books Online.

   If SQL Server starts, the startup entries in the registry are incorrect. To correct them, skip to step 4 of this procedure, below.

2. In Control Panel Services, select the MSSQLServer service and click Startup. In the Log On As section, note what account SQL Server is running under. Make sure this Windows NT account has all the appropriate permissions to read all the SQL Server registry keys, as well as the directory containing the Master.dat file. For additional information on MSSQLServer service permissions, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

         ARTICLE-ID: Q164167
         TITLE     : INF: Troubleshooting SQL Security Manager Messages
   
   

3. Check to make sure that the sp_configure values are not set too high. For information on how to do this, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

         ARTICLE-ID: Q173090
         TITLE     : INF: Changing Configuration Values When SQL Server Won't
                     Start
   
   

4. If none of the steps above resolves the problem, run Registry Rebuild for SQL Server from SQL Server setup. To do this, perform the steps below.

   CAUTION: It is recommended that you make a complete backup of your system before performing the registry rebuild.

   a. Restart the computer and log on as the administrator of the local

         machine.
   

   b. Use SQL Server Setup to note the options that are currently

         configured in the registry, for example, the network libraries that
         SQL Server is currently listening in on, or the Security model
         (Standard, Integrated, or Mixed) that SQL Server is using.
   

   c. From a command prompt, issue the following command from the

         <SQL_root>\Binn directory:
   

            setup /t RegistryRebuild = On
   
         NOTE: This command must be typed exactly as shown, including
         capitalization. The spaces surrounding the equal sign (=) are
         required.
   
         SQL Server Setup will start. It will appear as though SQL Server is
         being reinstalled, but it is just rewriting the registry
         information. Ensure that the path to where SQL Server and Master.dat
         are located is correct. Reset any options noted in the previous step
         (step b.)
   
         NOTE: Information on the character set, sort order, and size of the
         master database is stored within the existing Master.dat file.
   
      d. Start SQL Server normally.
   
   

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on the RegistryRebuild option of Setup, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q157805
   TITLE     : BUG: RegistryRebuild Option of Setup Is Not Documented