SQL Server 2005 SP2 Installation Error

  • I am trying to install SQL Server 2005 SP2 on a fresh install of SQL Server 2005 on a Virtual Windows 2003 R2 64 bit server single-node cluster. It successfully upgrades everything but the database engine itself. It throws an error indicating the the account being used for the installation does not have adequate permissions to rename the mssqlsystemresource.ldf file. The account has all the permissions necessary to modify the file, so this error may be a bit of a red herring. The initial install was done during the wee hours of the morning and at some point the Windows domain account being used became locked out. This may have happened during the SP2 attempted install, so that could be the issue. I have seen other articles indicating the the file mentioned could have been in a different location than the one from the original install, but this is not the case. The attempted SP2 install was performed immediately after the initial install.

    I can attempt to find a solution to the issue for SP2 or perhaps just try to install SP3. But I am not sure if I would have any better luck with it.

    Thanks for any solutions or suggestions.

  • I have resolved this error in the past by explicitly granting the sql server service account full control on the mssql directory (i.e the resource database files are in the data directory, grant the right to the mssql directory above that)

    If that does not work (I would expect it to), right click on the file itself and grant the sql service account full control to the file.

    I had to do this in the past even though permissions looked correct

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  • Another thing... if you are not concerned about which SP you apply (you say you are happy to try SP3) then go for the latest service pack which is SP4, and follow that with security patch MS11-049.

    Service packs are cumulative but personally I would be uncomfortable applying a later service pack on top of an incomplete previous patch, so complete SP2 first.

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  • george sibbald (6/16/2012)


    Another thing... if you are not concerned about which SP you apply (you say you are happy to try SP3) then go for the latest service pack which is SP4, and follow that with security patch MS11-049.

    Service packs are cumulative but personally I would be uncomfortable applying a later service pack on top of an incomplete previous patch, so complete SP2 first.

    Just curious...might I ask why MS11-049 jumped out as one specifically to recommend out of all the patches available post-SP4?

    As long we're talking patching might I suggest applying SP4 Cumulative Update 3 (the last CU Microsoft released for SP4) immediately after applying SP4: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2507769.

    Then applying the QFE patch for MS11-049: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26286

    There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
    --Plato

  • I highlighted MS11-049 as it is an important security update and should be applied to all SQL servers.

    there is by the way a post SP3 version of this patch if the OP goes for SP3.

    I fall into the camp of only applying CUs if you hit the error they address as they are not as fully tested by microsoft as service packs. I can understand the reasoning behind applying them to a new build as you can then fully test your application against that build before go live, but I don't know if the op is in that situation.

    This may all be moot for the op but I feel the least risk option, and therefore the advice I would give, is to stick to service packs and security patches

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  • Unfortunately, after checking all the file and directory permissions I was still unable to install SP2.

    I got the same error as before. But doesn't the execution of the SP just recreate the files when it runs? If so, then it could theoretically undo the permissions I had set before. I am enclosing the exact error.

    Product : Database Services (MSSQLSERVER)

    Product Version (Previous): 1399

    Product Version (Final) :

    Status : Failure

    Log File : C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\LOG\Hotfix\SQL9_Hotfix_KB921896_sqlrun_sql.msp.log

    Error Number : 29538

    Error Description : MSP Error: 29538 SQL Server Setup did not have the administrator permissions required to rename a file:

    X:\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\DATA\mssqlsystemresource1.ldf. To continue, verify that the file exists, and

    either grant administrator permissions to the account currently running Setup or log in with an administrator account.

    Then run SQL Server Setup again.

    Summary

    One or more products failed to install, see above for details

    Exit Code Returned: 29538

    Thanks for your help!

  • george sibbald (6/17/2012)


    I highlighted MS11-049 as it is an important security update and should be applied to all SQL servers.

    No question, it is important. I just wondered why you singled it out specifically. I would say I am a bit more willing to apply CUs. I too apply the patch for MS11-049 however, post SP4+CU3, which brings me to Build 9.0.5292. If you install it on top of SP4, but without any CUs (the GDR patch), then I think you'll land on 9.0.5057, but don't quote me. Thanks for the response.

    there is by the way a post SP3 version of this patch if the OP goes for SP3.

    The link I posted is specifically for the QFE patch meant to apply post-SP4+CU3. Here is a link to all the available flavors of the patch: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms11-049.

    The correct patch for the particular machine will depend on the SP level and post-SP patch level (if any) of the product.

    There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
    --Plato

  • charlesd (6/17/2012)


    Unfortunately, after checking all the file and directory permissions I was still unable to install SP2.

    I got the same error as before. But doesn't the execution of the SP just recreate the files when it runs? If so, then it could theoretically undo the permissions I had set before. I am enclosing the exact error.

    Product : Database Services (MSSQLSERVER)

    Product Version (Previous): 1399

    Product Version (Final) :

    Status : Failure

    Log File : C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\LOG\Hotfix\SQL9_Hotfix_KB921896_sqlrun_sql.msp.log

    Error Number : 29538

    Error Description : MSP Error: 29538 SQL Server Setup did not have the administrator permissions required to rename a file:

    X:\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\DATA\mssqlsystemresource1.ldf. To continue, verify that the file exists, and

    either grant administrator permissions to the account currently running Setup or log in with an administrator account.

    Then run SQL Server Setup again.

    Summary

    One or more products failed to install, see above for details

    Exit Code Returned: 29538

    Thanks for your help!

    Googling for this error code, it looks like you may have success if you move your system databases back to their default locations so they reside together, at least for the time while you apply the SP, then you can move them back:

    http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlsetupandupgrade/thread/fc411c55-f26b-48d4-9bf7-a333a87bc6de?prof=required

    There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
    --Plato

  • you say you checked the permissions, did you make any changes and add the permissions I suggested above, this definitely sounds like a permissions error.

    Please ensure the account you are installing with has admin rights on the box, if it has I would explicitly grant rights to your account and sql server service account to the .ldf file and directory and if necessary grant local admin to the sql server service account for the duration of the install.

    If the error continues download processmon and run it while the upgrade runs, it will highlight the exact error for you.

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  • I know it does seem like a permissions issue, but I set all those as you mentioned and still got the error. The files are in the same directory with the other system databases, master, msdb, temp db and it is the original directory where SQL Server 2005 RTM was installed.

    I notice a service, Forescout remote inspection service, running on the server which is a virtual. I am not familiar with this service though and don't know if it could be causing any issues.

  • something is preventing the installer accessing that file, only running processmon is going to tell you exactly what is happening.

    goggling forescout it sounds like some sort of security tool monitoring remote access and has some links to the stopping and starting of services, so you could try disabling this while you upgrade but check with your windows administrators.

    Is this a fresh install and no live applications are affected by this.?

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  • I tried disabling Forescout and running Processmon while I attempted a re-install of SP2. Unfortunately, it failed again and this is running in production.

    Since I am unfamiliar with processmon, my results were virtually useless. It generated over a million and a half entries in the short amount of time it ran. I guess it must need to be filtered in some way to control the amount of data it generates. I also noticed that the Forescout service had somehow restarted even though I had stopped and disabled it. Maybe that is the issue.

    If you have any instructions on how to use processmon to limit the data generated, that would be appreciated.

  • processmon output can be filtered, its hard to explain so a google on how to use processmon got this:

    http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2007/06/01/troubleshooting-with-process-monitor.aspx

    you can also search the output for the string mssqlsytemresource.ldf

    If this proves intractable it may be time to call in MS support

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