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SQL PC Name

by Oct 26, 2012Cleanup, Knowledge Base

http://www.expresstechnology.com/support/knowledge-base/70-updates-a-troubleshooting/123-since-i-changed-my-computer-name-the-sql-database-engine-no-longer-starts

Question: Since I changed my computer name, the SQL database engine no longer starts.  How can I correct this problem.

Answer: The MSDE database engine inherits the computer name as the SQL Database Server name.  If you change the computer name, the SQL Server will no longer start and will indicate it is corrupt or has been tampered with.  You can correct this by changing the computer name back and then starting the SQL Server database engine using Start / Startup / Service Manager.

For specific instructions on installing SQL Sever- click here.

However, if you need to change the computer name, you must backup the data files, uninstall the MSDE and then reinstall it.  In order to do so, you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Exit ExpressMaintenance if it is running.
  2. Using Start / MSDE / Service Manager, stop the SQL Server if it is running, then close.
  3. In the system tray (lower right corner) if SQL Service Manager is running, right click and exit.
  4. Using windows explorer, go to C:\MSSQL7\Data and copy the two data files (ExpressMaintenance_Data.MDF and ExpressMaintenance_Log.LDF) from that folder to the C:\ExpressTech folder where Maintenance.exe resides overwriting the original files that are in C:\ExpressTech folder.  Make sure you have successfully copied the files.  You might want to copy these files to another backup folder on the C drive as well as a precaution.
  5. Using Start / Control Panel / Add & Remove Programs, uninstall the MSDE Database Engine.
  6. Remove the MSSQL7 or MSSQL folder completely.
  7. Download the MSDE2000Install.exe file from our website at the following link: Direct Download into the C:\ExpressTech folder.   Note that we no longer recommend using the MSDE7 as ExpressMaintenance now fully supports MSDE2000.
  8. Install the MSDE2000 by running the MSDE2000Install.exe file just downloaded.  Do Not download and install ExpressMaintenance as it will overwrite your good data files.  Note: If you did not properly uninstall the MSDE and instead just removed the folders, you will likely need to remove it from the registry in order to get the re-installation to work properly.  For details on how to do this, see the information below.
  9. When the installation is complete and the Service Manager appears, click Auto Start checkbox and Start the SQL Server, then close Service Manager.  Do not start any other services in the Service Manager.
  10. Run ExpressMaintenance and it will prompt to create the new database.  Click Ok or Yes and it will create the database.  However, instead of using the blank as the model, it will use your real database since you copied it into the C:\ExpressTech folder over the model.
  11. Finally, once the program is up and running with your data, check our website at the following link to insure you have the latest release.  If you do not, download and install latest update – Software Updates.

Registry Note

If you did not properly uninstall the MSDE and instead just removed the folders, you will likely need to remove it from the registry in order to get the re-installation to work properly.  To do this, click on Start / Run and enter “regedit”.  When the Registry Editor opens, you must delete the registry key found at \ Hkey_Local_Machine \ Software \ Microsoft \ MSSQLServer.  Right click on the key to delete it and then exit the registry editor.

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