New F-series... Failed to Start Database Service error

I just got my new system, and wanted to remove the crapware before creating my recovery disks. I did that, then ran the Sony utility to create the recovery disks. I did not install anything.

One thing I uninstalled was SQL Server. I have no need of it.

Building the recovery froze at various stages of completion... 44%, 27%, 21%. I got an alert with the error, "Failed to start database service". I finally caught that error right away and dismissed -- then the system finished building the recovery disks.

Great -- now I have to wonder, are the recovery disks even valid?

Also, what database service does the system want, and what process wants it? I now get this error at arbitrary times. Sometimes on startup. Usually whenever I do anything with install/remove programs. So is this some new Windows 7 enhancement to the registry? Have I created a time bomb in my system by deleting SQL Server? If Windows 7 needs this, why did it let me delete it?

So far I wish I had a DOS machine. It's unfortunate that my work requires me to use Windows -- the OS treats me badly, and I can't use my new machine until I can predict whether the initial setup is valid.

Does *anybody* know what's going on here?

 

I know that some Sony media software installs SQL server with them. Uninstall any Sony media software. Sony craps out their notebooks with too much bloatware.

 

First, if you are talking about the "official" Sony recovery disks, they do not create a copy of your system as it is configured. They create a copy of the hidden recovery partition. Therefore if you ever need to recover from these disks, you will be back to the original out of the box state of the machine. You will not be back to your modified/optimized system.

Second, coolguy is right the SQL server instance is installed as part of the Sony media software. Rather than just uninstalling things without understanding the consequences and dependencies first, you really need look around the forums here a bit and ask questions. There are lots of guides and other folks here who can help you BEFORE you get in a bind rather than trying to help you out of one. The Clean install guide for the FZ model (link in my signature line below) has some specific info about SQL server as it relates to the Sony Software. While it is not the same model as yours it MAY lend so insight into what else you need to uninstall.

What confuses me is why you'd get the Failed to Start error if you uninstalled SQL server. Usually a proper uninstall will remove the service startup info that the OS uses. How did you uninstall it? This error may be coming from the Sony media app indicating it is trying to find the server though. Can you post the EXACT text of the message?

Gary

 

Hi Gary, I just read this thread. I'm having the same problem with my Sony Vaio and I didn't uninstall anything. I get the same message that it failed to start the database service. I also get a message that the usb device attached to the computer is not recognized by the computer. When I go into the device manager, all it tells me is it's a standard USB controller on Port 2, Hub 3. Any ideas on either of these issues? I appreciate your help.
Criss

 

First we have two very separate issues here. I will only address the SQL one since this thread is about SQL. I suggest you take the USB issue to another thread or start a new thread. It's not a good idea to intermix two issues like that here.

Now as to the SQL issue, I need more info. What model of machine are you using. You say you have not uninstalled anything. OK, so what HAVE you done to the machine? Any tweaks, any added software etc. When did this message start to appear? Was anything done right before it started happening? Have you tried doing a System Restore to a point BEFORE this message started popping up?

Gary

 

The Model is PCG-81114L. This has been happening probably a week or 2 after I bought it in January. I had put an email program on it called Incredimail, which I had to remove due to the continuous blue screens it provided. I'm sure it started soon after I installed that, but I also have an external hard drive, a wireless mouse, and I've installed & uninstalled numerous games from Shockwave, iTunes, MP3 Rocket, and Norton 360. I also tried to install CorelDraw 9, which didn't work so I uninstalled it. Not sure if any of these programs would cause this error. It doesn't seem to be doing any damage, but I can't be sure of that either. Thanks for your help.

 

OK go into the System logs and locate the error message there pertaining to this issue. Copy the error number and exact text of the message and post it here.

Gary

 

There are so many messages I really don't know which one it is. Nothing popped up when the message came up. I'll put a few of them here & see if you can figure out which one it could be. If you don't mind. I don't know much about this stuff. If you need more info, let me know. I also remembered 2 other things I installed. NetAccess & Magic Workstation. Again, thank you for your help.

The SQL Server (DDNI) service terminated with service-specific error You will be automatically disconnected at SQL Server (DDNI)..
The Multimedia Class Scheduler service entered the stopped state.

The Application Experience service entered the stopped state.

The SQL Server (DDNI) service terminated with service-specific error You will be automatically disconnected at SQL Server (DDNI)..
(This is actually the only error message, the others are "Information", but it came up about 5 minutes before the pop up message. There was no error code or any other information on the pop up, just Failed to start database service.)

 

There ought to be an error number after the words "service-specific error". Are you looking in the System Event log for this stuff?

Here is a google search that MIGHT shed some light, at least on where to get the error code.

Google

Gary

 

I don't see anything that says error code. I have event codes 7024 (The SQL Server (DDNI) service terminated with service-specific error You will be automatically disconnected at SQL Server (DDNI).. & 9003 (The log scan number (25:472:1) passed to log scan in database 'model' is not valid. This error may indicate data corruption or that the log file (.ldf) does not match the data file (.mdf). If this error occurred during replication, re-create the publication. Otherwise, restore from backup if the problem results in a failure during startup).

I don't want to keep bothering you if I'm not coming up with the right information you need. I've looked thru all the event logs & can't seem to find anything that would resemble the error I get.

 

you should have deleted the sql server i think thats all ur problem

 

TexasHoldMe1203,

OK I think we now know the issue. The log file for the system database "model" is corrupt. Do you have a backup? If not here is a thread with info on how to rebuild the Model database.

SQL Express on PC doesn't start after moving to domain - The log s - Database Forum

The SQL server instance is there for the Sony Media library stuff (not sure how this is named on your specific model). Are you using any of that software. If not, uninstalling it will also uninstall Sql Server. You can then reinstall the Sony Media library apps and it will restore a fresh instance of SQL server and the Model database. But you would loose any media you had in the library.

Gary

 

Deleted it? What if he is using the Sony Media Library software? Just blindly deleting stuff without knowing what it does is just asking for other troubles.

Gary

 

I have a Sony Home Network Library. Is that the same thing? And, no, I don't just blindly delete stuff. No more troubles do I need. And it's she, not he. No offense taken. I appreciate all the help.

 

Yes, I think it is the same thing. I realize you didn't just blindly delete anything, I was responding to the poster who suggested you should.

Oops, sorry. "She" duly noted. Did any of the links I posted help you? I think, from the error message and codes, you have a corrupted database.

Do you have anything in the Sony Home Network Library? If not, you might be able to uninstall it an have it uninstall SQL server as well. I know if you uninstalled the old Sony Media Library, it would also uninstall the SQL server instance too.

Gary

 

Yeah, I don't listen to people who tell me to just delete something. If I don't know what it is, it might be important, so leave it alone.

If I understood the information in the links you provided, they would have probably helped. Unfortunately, I didn't do well in my networking studies & I have a hard time with some of it.

I'm pretty positive I don't have anything in that library. I don't use anything like that. I'll try uninstalling that & see what happens.

 

That didn't work. I'm wondering if it's NetAccess or the Meditech program I installed. It won't let me uninstall it. I'm going to try to install it again & uninstall it. We'll see what happens.