PRB: Small Business Server and SQL Server Licensing Msg 18458

• Microsoft SQL Server, versions 6.5

SYMPTOMS

When attempting to log on to SQL Server on Microsoft Small Business Server, a user may receive the following message:

   Msg 18458, Level 14, State 1, Server Microsoft SQL Server, Line 0
   Login failed- The maximum simultaneous user count of 5 licenses for this
   server has been exceeded. Additional licenses should be obtained and
   registered via the Licensing application in the NT Control Panel.

CAUSE

If SQL Server has been upgraded from the Small Business Server version (yet remains on Small Business Server Windows NT) and you subsequently use the client add pack to add Windows NT licenses, SQL Server is not notified of the additional licenses.

WORKAROUND

The licensing application has been removed from the Small Business Server. To allow SQL Server to recognize the additional licenses, run Registry Rebuild for SQL Server from SQL Server setup. To do this, perform the steps below.

NOTE: It is recommended that you make a complete backup of your system before performing the registry rebuild.

1. From a command prompt, switch to the Mssql\Binn directory.

2. Type the following command exactly as it appears, including capitalization (note that a space on either side of the equal sign is required):

         setup /t RegistryRebuild = On
   

   For more information on the RegistryRebuild option, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

         ARTICLE-ID: Q157805
         TITLE     : BUG: RegistryRebuild Option of Setup Is Not Documented
   
      This will bring up SQL Server setup. It will appear as though SQL Server
      is being reinstalled, but it is just re-writing the registry
      information.
   
   

3. Start SQL Server normally.

MORE INFORMATION

After upgrading SQL Server Small Business version to full SQL Server, you will also need to apply the latest SQL Server service pack.