Putting Server in Single-User Mode

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Putting Server in Single-User Mode

Author

Topic

Dhudson29
Starting Member

23 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 13:13:09

I have tried everything to put the server in Single User Mode so I can restore the master database.

1. Tried the -m Option in Configuration Manager and restarted service.
2. Tried command line using sqlsevr.exe
3. Tried sqlcmd -s <servername>. - It connects
4. Used Net Start MSSQL$<Servername> - It starts service.

Each time I issue the RESTORE DATABASE master command, it tells me the server is not in Single-User Mode.

Please help??

tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 13:40:52

Are you issuing the command through sqlcmd? Or via SSMS? SSMS opens multiple sessions if you have the left pane and a query window open.

Tara Kizer
SQL Server MVP since 2007
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

Dhudson29
Starting Member

23 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:05:07

I am issuing the command through sqlcmd.

tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:09:22

Is the SQL Agent service stopped? It'll use up the single connection.

Tara Kizer
SQL Server MVP since 2007
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:11:45

Not sure if this is needed, but you might want to try the -f option and then connect via the DAC (-A option in sqlcmd).

My recollection is that I used -m and -c last time I needed to start in single-user mode. I don't remember what the -c option is though (I'm in a meeting otherwise I'd google it).

Tara Kizer
SQL Server MVP since 2007
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

Dhudson29
Starting Member

23 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:23:07

Yes the SQL Server Agent is Stopped. When I try sqlservr.exe -m -s <servername> I get the following message:

Error: 17050, Severity: 16, State: 1. initerrlog: Could not open error log file, because it is being used by another process. That's crazy because this is a new instance, and the SQL Agent service is stopped.

tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:26:04

You can use Process Explorer to see what is using it. I suspect your anti-virus software or similar is the culprit.

Make sure the SQL Server service is stopped when running sqlservr.exe.

Tara Kizer
SQL Server MVP since 2007
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

Dhudson29
Starting Member

23 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:26:16

By the way, there are 2 Instances on this server, but I have pathed to the named instance I want to put in single user mode.

tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 14:34:28

Please see my last reply as we were posting at the same time.

Tara Kizer
SQL Server MVP since 2007
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

Dhudson29
Starting Member

23 Posts

Posted - 2014-12-04 : 15:53:14

OK. I did not stop the SQL Server Service, only the SQL Agent Service. Stopping the SQL Server Service resolved the problem.