"Cloned" SQL Server - Cannot Login

  • Hello!  We are using AWS and we took an AMI image of one of our SQL Servers.  We stood it up on a new server and now I'm attempting to get SQL Server happy again.  I am on a new domain in a new VPC.  The server name is not the same as it was before.  The SQL Server services started up and I can open management studio but if I try to connect to the SQL Server, it says login failed.  I'm assuming cause it doesn't "know" these new domain logins even though I'm in the administrators group.

    I tried doing a net start mssqlserver /m but it says access denied.  We have the SA account disabled.

    Can I recover from this? 

    Do I need to hack the registry or something and tell it that the server name has changed or find some way to reset the SA account?  The account I installed sql server with is on a different domain.

  • My bet would be, presuming your existing (but not working) login is a domain account, is that the server can't verify the account because you changed the domain.

    So to fix it, you'll need to go in through the Dedicated Admin Connection (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178068(v=sql.105).aspx) add a new login for yourself, then proceed with the clean up.

    No registry hacking required.

  • Your presumption is correct my friend!  😀  
    I will try this method tomorrow... I am hoping this solves my problem.... if it does.... then you have saved me soooooooooo much time and energy. 😀

  • amy26 - Thursday, July 20, 2017 6:39 PM

    You presumption is correct my friend!  😀  
    I will try this method tomorrow... I am hoping this solves my problem.... if it does.... then you have saved me soooooooooo much time and energy. 😀

    Fingers crossed for you!
    Pop back in and let us know if you were able to get this resolved, and what you needed to do!

  • Nope. 🙁  I tried doing the ADMIN:<servername> and my windows credentials and it still says login failed.  What account am I supposed to connect to the DAC with?

  • Hmmm.... I never enabled remote admin connections... so, I suppose the DAC won't work anyways.  😀

  • amy26 - Friday, July 21, 2017 12:04 PM

    Hmmm.... I never enabled remote admin connections... so, I suppose the DAC won't work anyways.  😀

    You might need to drop to using SQLCMD at a command prompt to get in.  I had to (well, not really, but long story) use the DAC to re-add my login so I could get back to work.
    Try the steps here, worst case as a short-term would be to add a new sysadmin SQL Login, then get back in with that and set up your new / updated AD credentials.

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