More Error Messages than you can shake a stick at!!!

[Tiger]

Hi all, Tigers back (oh no!)

 

My pc is now back and running after some serious C Drive formatting...oops.

Hope some of you guys and gals are still about and modding...I really want to get back into map designing again but am having some major problems opening the Map Editor this time around.

I used the fantastic instructions pinned at the top of the forum the first time, but this time I'm totally lost.

I had to Uninstall SS2 and SS3 when my pc decided to go A.W.O.L. and I think I managed to delete some files in the WINDOWS 32 folder.....I've got those back now but still can't seem to get any further.

 

When I click on the SQL Setup I get this error message...

 

"Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine"

"The instance name specified is invalid."

 

I also get the following error messages from trying to open the editor and connect to game database...

 

" OLE DB Error message

Sourse:"(null)"

Description :"(null)"

Help file:"(null)"

Help Content: 0

Guide:{0C733A63-2A1C-11CE-ADE5-00AA0044773D} "

 

I have been to "START / CONTROL PANEL ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS" to set up my ODBC connection and It seems to be there, well it shows up in that drop selection as " NAME: New DRIVER: SQL Server" .

 

Can anyone help....nearly pulled all of my hair out, and getting very tempted to lob this pc out of the window soon !!

 

Many thanks

 

Tiger

[Crazy Gringo]

MS databases....URGH!!!

One wrong step and your screwed....

I'm not a MS SQL specialist or anything but since you had to reinstall just about everything in your machine then it seems that there is something besides Windows, S2 and S3 you have forgotten to install....

[Tiger]

MS databases....URGH!!!

One wrong step and your screwed....

I'm not a MS SQL specialist or anything but since you had to reinstall just about everything in your machine then it seems that there is something besides Windows, S2 and S3 you have forgotten to install....

 

Hi Crazy Gringo,

 

I'm pretty sure I have everything installed back on the pc, but is there anyway I can check?!

I think the problem is that I may have duplicated the "Named Instance" !

Also, a friend of mine installed Windows Service Pack 3 on my pc.

Would this have anything to do with it?

 

On the Microsoft website I found this error message.

It says this error message occurs when the "Named Instance" already exists and you haven't said you want to upgrade it.

 

It talks about editing the "SQLBASE. MSM file and removing the custom action detect instance!?!?

...and...removing Merge Module and reading it!?!?

 

This looks far beyond me as I have little or no programming skills whatsoever!

 

I have also heard that I can download a "SQL CRITICAL UPDATE WIZARD" to update any effected files.

 

Many thanks Gringo

 

Tiger

[KoMik]

I got that same message when I tried to reinstall (done that many times) my messed up SQL Desktop Engine. Then once I just deleted the SQL's folder, it was still left in the Program Files folder even I had uninstalled SQL with Windows add/remove program.

 

I'm not SQL expert... so, I don't know is that "recommended" or maybe harmful but after I removed the folder Windows let me reinstall SQL.

[Tiger]

I got that same message when I tried to reinstall (done that many times) my messed up SQL Desktop Engine. Then once I just deleted the SQL's folder, it was still left in the Program Files folder even I had uninstalled SQL with Windows add/remove program.

 

I'm not SQL expert... so, I don't know is that "recommended" or maybe harmful but after I removed the folder Windows let me reinstall SQL.

 

 

Thanks KoMik, I'll give that a try.

(Can you remember in which folder/s the SQL Server info is held?..thanks)

 

When I Uninstalled S2 and S3 it wouldn't have uninstalled my SQL Server stuff would it?

So when I reinstalled S2 and S3 a few days ago, I set up a SQL Server, like it said in Dragons instructions, in the pinned section at the top of the forums...but I must have already had one from previously.

 

Following Dragons instructions I can get down to number 13 or 14, then I get my error messages.

 

I also have a partitioned hardrive, could this effect things... if I had the SQL Server stuff on C/Drive and my S2/S3

games on D/Drive for example?

 

Many thanks guys

 

One frustrated Tiger (with little hair left!)

[KoMik]

(Can you remember in which folder/s the SQL Server info is held?..thanks)

So when I reinstalled S2 and S3 a few days ago, I set up a SQL Server, like it said in Dragons instructions, in the pinned section at the top of the forums...but I must have already had one from previously.

Following Dragons instructions I can get down to number 13 or 14, then I get my error messages.

I though you have problems to reinstall SQL Desktop Engine... not MSSQL Server's Data-Sources. All your SQL stuff is in the "Microsoft SQL Server"-folder. If you had once set up the SQL Server in Data-Sources (ODBC) then it will stay, even if you have uninstalled SQL Desktop Engine. So, I think you just need to...

 

How to reinstall messed up SQL Desktop Engine:

 

(make backups and delete mods from SQL Server:)

- stop SQL Server

- copy-paste your mods to a different folder

- start SQL Server + Map Editor's first window

- remove/delete you mods

- stop SQL Server

- delete mod folders from the game folder

(now you have backups and SQL Server is empty, then reinstall:)

- uninstall SQL Desktop Engine with add/remove program

- delete "Microsoft SQL Server"-folder (usually the path is: Program Files > Microsoft SQL Server)

- install SQL Desktop Engine (from you game CD)

(now you have reinstalled, then backups back:)

- run the Map Editor + Map Editor's first window

- create a new mod

- stop SQL Server

- replace your ex-mod's stuff with the new mod (folder name must be left same)

(now you have your old mod in use, ready to roll:)

- run the Map Editor + your "new" mod

 

But if your ODBC is messed up then I dunno what you can or should do.

 

When I Uninstalled S2 and S3 it wouldn't have uninstalled my SQL Server stuff would it?

I also have a partitioned hardrive, could this effect things... if I had the SQL Server stuff on C/Drive and my S2/S3 games on D/Drive for example?

No and no.

[Tiger]

Thanks KoMik,

 

I'll give it a try.

Will let you know how it goes

 

Cheers matey, thanks for your help.

 

Tiger

[Tiger]

Ok guys, I think I have almost done it !

 

My MSSQL Server exists, I can see it on my Add/Remove Program screen, and in the ODBC dropdown

menu.

 

When I double click on my desktop icon for the SS Editor I get a tiny box asking me to fill in what

I think is the name for a database.

 

It looks like this:

 

DB: [ ]

 

OK CANCEL

 

 

Here I get stuck. Would this be a name I have created or a general name?

Whatever I seem to type into this box gives me error messages.

 

Thanks for your patience guys

 

Tiger

[KoMik]

DB: [ ]

 

OK CANCEL

Never seen that box...

 

Try to run just your MSQL (from the icon "your_pc_name" - MSQLServer, lowest Window's panel, near the clock) if same box appears, then problem is in SQL Server or ODBC. Can't help with that ... maybe reinstall... :D

 

If MSQL starts, then problem is the MapEditor:

 

- try to run from "all programs" (not from desktop icon, maybe wrong path)

- reinstall your editor (maybe from "Uninstall (repair) game" or just reinstall the whole game and editor at same)

[Tiger]

Ok,

 

Decided to uninstall everything and start from scratch..(groan)

 

When I click on the "SQL Setup" from CD1 it starts to install, gets right to the end

of the green loading bar and gives me this error message:

 

"Setup failed to configure the server. Refer to the server error logs for more information."

 

I've searched the forum, but can't find anyone with the same problem.

 

Also,....would anyone know where to find the server error logs???.......it may give me some hints at least!!

 

Thanks again guys

 

Tiger

[sniperton]

Hi Tiger,

 

I can offer no solution, only a consolation. I have the same problem. It seems to be related to an unsuccessful ODBC installation. I wanted to access the Weapons database via MS Access, run the ODBC wizard, failed, removed/modified SQL server settings, got stuck, uninstalled, then tried to reinstall -- same symptoms and messages...

 

Now I believe (but don't know for sure) that former database references may have not been properly removed from registry, and this might prevent SQL Engine from setting up. I downloaded some reg cleaners just now. Suggest to do the same and give it a try.

 

Otherwise, since the time I managed to mess up my OS by tampering with ODBC, I 've been experiencing strange mod behaviour (I reported it in a nearby thread "RandomStorm Problem: cannot inflict criticals"). The two problems are possibly related. Would be grateful if you could check whether you have crits after reloading a modded savegame. (It should be a reload, not a "clean" load after gamestart.)

 

Hope we'll find a way around,

 

Best luck

[Tiger]

Thanks sniperton,

 

Thought I was all alone for a while then!!!

 

I was mainly map designing, buildings, bunkers, that sort of stuff.

Not got any Mods to test...I lost everything.

 

I've managed to find some error reports in the old Microsoft MSQL Server folder, hopefully

these may make some sense to someone reading outhere:

 

"SQL global counter collection task is created.

Warning: override, autoexec procedures skipped.

SQL Server is terminating due to 'stop' request from Service Control Manager."

 

and:

 

" [100] Microsoft SQLServerAgent version 8.00.760 (x86 unicode retail build) : Process ID

[100] Microsoft SQLServerAgent version 8.00.760 (x86 unicode retail build) : Process ID 1632

[101] SQL Server **** version 8.00.760 (0 connection limit)

[102] SQL Server ODBC driver version 3.85.1117

[103] NetLib being used by driver is DBMSSHRN.DLL; Local host server is

[339] Local computer is **** running Windows NT 5.1 (2600) Service Pack 2

[364] The Messenger service has not been started - NetSend notifications will not be sent

[129] SQLSERVERAGENT starting under Windows NT service control

[260] Unable to start mail session (reason: No mail profile defined)

[396] An idle CPU condition has not been defined - OnIdle job schedules will have no effect

[131] SQLSERVERAGENT service stopping due to a stop request from a user, process, or the OS...

[098] SQLServerAgent terminated (normally)"

 

 

 

I'm going to delete the old folder, as I think someone has suggested that in the above forum.

 

Will keep you posted on what happens!

 

Laters.

 

Tiger

[Tiger]

Sniperton, I think I've done it!!!

 

Well I uninstalled everything, SS2, SS3, removed MSQL server with add/remove programs,

deleted the ODBC server thing I created, and started from scratch!

 

I went to START / MY COMPUTER / SYSTEM C / PROGRAM FILES and found there was still a MICROSOFT MSSQL

SERVER folder.....I deleted this and all its contents (if any).

 

Also, in PROGRAM FILES, there was a folder called "UNINSTALL INFORMATION" and in there was an ODBC Dat file.

I deleted this ODBC Dat file from the folder.

 

The "UNINSTALL INFORMATION" folder is transparent on my PC, so I'm guessing you have to be an

administrator to open it.

 

I then re-installed both SS2 and SS3 and followed DRAGONS compiled instructions that are pinned to the

top of the forum......and now my SQL SETUP installed fine, and was able to open the Editor without any problems.

 

Not sure if it was deleting the old MSSQL folder that worked or deleting that Dat. file!!!

 

Let us know how you get on Sniperton....fingers crossed for ya!!

 

 

 

Ok....lets Mod sum stuff!

 

Tiger

[sniperton]

Let us know how you get on Sniperton....fingers crossed for ya!!

When God with us, who against?

 

Success! Yesterday was obviously a day of inspiration. One key moment was of course to delete damn ODBC files, but my situation was even more complicated. When tampering with ODBC, I unintentionally created multiple (and conflicting) instances of databeses, which in turn prevented SQLServer to set up properly. Although I have had deleted the MSSQL folder and the ODBC dat files long before, obsolate references to these ghost-databeses were still present in the registry, as neither SQL uninstall, nor reg cleaners seem to have removed them. So I took some risk and deleted the whole MSSQLServer section from the registry manually. It worked.

 

Sooo, leet's MOOOOD sommething!!!

And lots of thanks for your compassion and posts!