SQL Server Agent won't start - The system cannot find the file specified

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SQL Server Agent won't start - The system cannot find the file specified

acraddock

Ten Centuries

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July 9, 2013 at 6:50 am

#275883

Hi,
For a while now we have been running SQL for our ERP system.
Recently i have noticed that a rebuild indexes task has not been running on the SQL database.
On closer inspection, i noticed that the SQL server agent is not running - when i try and start the service it tells me 'windows could not start the service - error 2: the system cannot find the file specified.
I have taken a look at some posts already which refer the checking the location of the sqlagent.out log file path in the registry.
This would all appear ok - but when i try to start the service this file is not updating....
I have also tried renaming the file to see if a new file is create but nothing happens....
Any advice or pointers that could be given would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Alan

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Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 1

acraddock (7/9/2013)
Hi,
For a while now we have been running SQL for our ERP system.
Recently i have noticed that a rebuild indexes task has not been running on the SQL database.
On closer inspection, i noticed that the SQL server agent is not running - when i try and start the service it tells me 'windows could not start the service - error 2: the system cannot find the file specified.
I have taken a look at some posts already which refer the checking the location of the sqlagent.out log file path in the registry.
This would all appear ok - but when i try to start the service this file is not updating....
I have also tried renaming the file to see if a new file is create but nothing happens....
Any advice or pointers that could be given would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Alan

Any changes in the SQL Agent account? Make sure the account has all the necessary permissions. Also read/write permission on the folder where the log files are stored.

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My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 2

The password was changed recently but this has been updated and is correct.

Other than read\write access to the log file location. What other permissions should i check. Registry? Sql server rights?

Thanks in advance for some feedback.

Cheers

Alan

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 3

This MSDN page gives an overview of the permissions:

Select an Account for the SQL Server Agent Service

However, since it probably worked before it is maybe not a permission issue.

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My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 4

Hi,

As per the document the domain account being used is part of the sysadmin group for the SQL server.

So does not appear to be permissions?

Regards

Alan

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 5

Ok.... i have now noticed that SQL server agent does not appear in SQL Server Configuration manager...

I can see 4 other services including SQL Server main service, but no agent service.....

Any ideas??

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 6

Do you have multiple versions of SQL Server installed?

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My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 7

I have just looked at what is showing under programs. I am showing SQL Server 2008 and also SQL server 2008 R2.

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 8

acraddock (7/11/2013)
I have just looked at what is showing under programs. I am showing SQL Server 2008 and also SQL server 2008 R2.

Maybe you opened up the configuration manager for SQL Server 2008 instead of 2008R2 and SQL Agent is only installed for 2008R2?

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My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 9

I accessed it from the R2 management console.

Is it possible i am stuck in some sort of limbo between the 2 versions... following the upgrade?

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 10

I checked in windows\system32 and i only have 1 .msc for sqlservermanager10 - when i open this it is the version i was looking at earlier. Version details : Version: 2009.0100.1600.01

Greg Edwards-268690 SSC-Insane Points: 20680 More actions · Answer 11

Try changing the password in config mgr to something new, then back again.

Then review the logs for any errors if this doesn't fix things up.

acraddock Ten Centuries Points: 1074 More actions · Answer 12

I am not able to change the password in SQL config manager... When i access it from SQL server management studio it opens without asking for a password or credentials?

Greg Edwards-268690 SSC-Insane Points: 20680 More actions · Answer 13

acraddock (7/12/2013)
I am not able to change the password in SQL config manager... When i access it from SQL server management studio it opens without asking for a password or credentials?

Configuration Manager is a specific tool.

Under Ptograms, under the SQL Server folder, you should see a Configuration Tools folder.

It is in there, and lists all the services.

Reporting Services is managed with a separate tool.