it looks like by now you have already tried most of the stuff.

you did mention that the log file growth is unrestricted and also that you have ample space on...

yup agree with Steve, it could that good old lock on the backup file.

Further, you usually get a specific message like the following of there are locks on backup file:...

did you already run DBCC LOGINFO?

it is a great option to peek in and find out as to what is actually happening inside the transaction log.

looks like this is a known issue.

Please take a look at the URL(s) mentioned below for additional details:

http://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/255226/cant-delete-a-maintenance-plan-scheduled-job

http://sqlrx.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/remove-maintenance-plans-left-after-a-server-rename/

can you post the complete error message?

Are you using a alias for the connection?

Try connecting using IP address suffixed by the port no ( XX.XX.XXX.XX,portno) just on a test...

ok try running the following command:

Exec master.dbo.xp_backup_database

@database = 'master',

@filename = 'F:\MSSQL\BACKUPS\master_manual_test.bak'

if that works then try running the following command:

Exec master.dbo.xp_backup_database

@database = 'master',

@filename = 'F:\MSSQL\BACKUPS\NIGHTLY SYSTEM\master_manual_test.bak'

Maybe that space (in...

got it, Thanks Gail, I stand corrected.

may we know what the stopped SQL job was doing?

if it is a dbcc checkdb task then you don't have to worry as the rollback is occurring in the...

and one additional thing, is the sqlserveragent service running? you may to stop the sqlserveragent service before you restore msdb database, this may only be applicable are refreshing a...

ok as Gail mentioned you just need to restore MSDB from backup.you can definitely go by that option.

I got it wrong, there is no need to start the server...

This definitely looks like database corruption (from the 823 message)

if nothing else works I would suggest that you

1)start up SQL Server from command line in minimum configuration mode...

wow, learnt something new just by reading through all the excellent suggestions from knowledgeable folks. Thanks.

I think most DBAs would go with Log Shipping in this scenario, may be...

I am not sure about this but if you create a data file on the principal it should get created on the mirror as well (after the changes are propagated)...

For the record, shrinking data files is not a good idea in the first place.

My reasoning is based on the following blog by Paul Randall and we all know...

you may have atleast execute the following commands after completion of cloning (which is not a good idea in the first place if you are using features like replication)

1)...