SQLMonitor Service Terminates If SA Password Changes

• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft SQL Server, version 4.2

SUMMARY

The SQLMonitor Service on Windows NT uses the SQL Server System Administrator (SA) account to access SQL Server for Windows NT. If the SA account's password is changed from the default, which is none or NULL, any attempt to start the SQLMonitor service results in the following error:

   Error 2186 The service is not responding to the control function.
   Could not start the SQLMonitor service on \\Server.

MORE INFORMATION

To resolve this problem, change one of the SQL Monitor services parameters in the Windows NT Registry. Sites with SQL Server version 4.21 or later can change the parameter by starting SQL Monitor from the command line with the /NEWPASSWORD switch:

   netsql start sqlmonitor /NEWPASSWORD=[newpass]

Sites with versions of SQL Server for Windows NT earlier than 4.21 must update the Windows NT registry using the following procedure:

1. From the Program Manager of the Windows NT server, select the File menu and choose Run. Enter the following:

   regedt32

1. Set focus on the Registry Editor applications window titled "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on Local Machine."

2. Double-click on the folders in the left window, expanding the tree in the following order:

   \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SQLServer\SQLMonitor\Parameters

   You should now see a line that reads: Password:REG_SZ: in the right window of the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on Local Machine" window.

3. Double-click on the Password line in the right window. You should now see a dialog box prompting you for a string. Enter the password for the SA account, and press the OK button.

   The Password:REG_SZ: entry should contain your SA account's password.

4. Close the Registry Editor.