sqllib error: sysdatabases in SQL server instance is empty

Question

sqllib error: sysdatabases in SQL server instance is empty

Thomas LeBlanc

SSCrazy Eights

Points: 8085
More actions
July 23, 2007 at 1:18 pm

#179727

We are recieving this error in the application log of our sql server server.
What does it mean?
Nothing when I google it...

Thanks,
Thomas
Thomas LeBlanc, MVP Data Platform Consultant

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 18 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply

rubes SSCrazy Points: 2058 More actions · Answer 1

Interesting. I just ran across this issue today.

We had a 3rd party backup application installed. It was running under an account that had select permissions on sys.databases but not sys.sysaltfiles. It was throwing the exact error that you are seeing. When we increased the permissions it went away.

Regards,
Rubes

Sugesh Kumar One Orange Chip Points: 27311 More actions · Answer 2

It should be a permission issue as told by rubes give necessary permissions and check if you are able to

Cheers,
Sugeshkumar Rajendran
SQL Server MVP
http://sugeshkr.blogspot.com

Thomas LeBlanc SSCrazy Eights Points: 8085 More actions · Answer 3

Check with Backup software and it is not using a agent to backup SQL Server. This is a 2005 server, and the only agent available in the software is for 2000.

We use SQL Server to backup the data and transaction logs, then this 3rd party software only backups the backup files to tape.

Thanks,

Thomas

Thomas LeBlanc, MVP Data Platform Consultant

Carlton Leach SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4202 More actions · Answer 4

I was looking for info on this aswell and I came across the following solution that I thought I'd share made me laugh a little:

"resolved by granting the NT Authority \System account the SysAdmin role."

grc1uk SSC Eights! Points: 849 More actions · Answer 5

Hello

How i can check what permissions are on the sys.sysaltfiles files?

many thanks

Gareth

Carlton Leach SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4202 More actions · Answer 6

find the sys.sysaltfiles then

:right click > properties > permissions

chances are there will be nothing. I can't remember what roles other than sysadmin have access by default.

this what u were after?

cheers

Carlton..

grc1uk SSC Eights! Points: 849 More actions · Answer 7

you say to find the sys.sys files. How do i find those files??

Carlton Leach SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4202 More actions · Answer 8

hi,

sorry.

If you using sql 2005?

If so go to the database > Views > System Views > and fild sys.sysaltfiles

If your using sql 2000 its a system table not a view

Master database > system tables > sysaltfiles

HTH

Cheers,

Carlton..

grc1uk SSC Eights! Points: 849 More actions · Answer 9

Hello

Thanks for this, i have now found these files. I have no permissions set on these. What would be the recommended ones to set?

Thanks in advance

Gareth

Carlton Leach SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4202 More actions · Answer 10

when you say 'files' you mean the DB files themselves? (DBname.mdf, DBname.ldf).

My pref is to set security @ the MSSQL directory (for 2005 this is: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL) and take the inheritance setting off.

Then assign full control to the sql run time account (the user that SQL server runs under). This way only SQL server can access that directory (all db files, log files, backups rah diddy rah).

You will porobably find Domain admins etc in there too.

Carlton..

grc1uk SSC Eights! Points: 849 More actions · Answer 11

Sorry i was refering to the sys.sysaltfiles when looking in the database at these then right clicking and selecting properties nothing is displayed in the Permissions

I was wondering if anything should be there?

Thanks

Gareth

Carlton Leach SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4202 More actions · Answer 12

Hi, you could but you wouldn't.

search books online for:

"Mapping SQL Server 2000 System Tables to SQL Server 2005 System Views"

I'm guessing sys.altfiles is now only accessible by sysadmins as its 2005 equivalent is the sys.Master_files view.

Cheers,

Carlton..

grc1uk SSC Eights! Points: 849 More actions · Answer 13

OK, thanks for the info. Any ideas where else i should be looking for receiving the following error during a backup window. We are using Veritas / Symantec Backup Exec. We are getting

sqllib error: sysdatabases in sql server instance is empty

Any thoughts?

Carlton Leach SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4202 More actions · Answer 14

see if you can figure out what account the backup software is running under (could be 'NT Authority\system' which is commoly disabled or removed for security reasons).

My guess would be the backup software is using an login that has limited or no access to sql server.

try running a Profiler trace and kicking off a backup, this may give you some idea as to what its using.

cheers,

Carlton..