How to restore Master DB in SQL 2005?

Thanks for the reply Allan.

How do suggest I start SQL in single user mode.

I tried running the sqlsrvr.exe with the /m switch from the command line, but then Management Studio wouldn't connect.

I then tried starting the sqlserver service from the windows services gui, using the /m parameter, but then in Management Studio "Master" wasn't in the list of databases that I could choose from when I selected the 'restore' task. I tried typing 'master' in the selection box and then ran the restore, but it failed.

Any ideas?

winsyss at 2007-8-30 >

Unfortunately the NET START "MSSQLSERVER" /m command does not work for me.

However, I can add "-m" to the Startup parameters in the SQL Server service from the Services GUI and it starts in single-user mode. I was having trouble connecting to a query window in Management Studio, when it hit me that there were still other SQL Services running. I think that one of the other services was getting to the one connection that was available before I could open a query.

So I stopped ALL SQL related services, started in "-m" single user mode, and was able to open a query and restore the master database.

It's always the little things.

csi_hugh at 2007-8-30 >