[sims] Creating a new database

[Mcshammer_dj]

I am trying to create a new SIMS database and when folowing the instructions from the simsinstallautumn2009 iso I am getting the following error when trying to configure the database

 

Database Configuration Failed

Error when Configuring Database: The ROLLBACK TRANSACTION request has no corresponding BEGIN TRANSACTION.

 

This is with SQL 2008 installed via the capita installers and we have raised a call through Supportdesk but are waiting for a call back.

 

anyone seen this or able to give me any advise?

[matt40k]

Use the spring installable.

[Mcshammer_dj]

Use the spring installable.

 

thanks mate just got you email.

[GCB]

Hello,

 

Getting the same error when trying to install the Spring 2010 install on a new server:

 

"Error when Configuring Database: The ROLLBACK TRANSACTION request has no corresponding BEGIN TRANSACTION."

 

Any help gratefully received!

[rh91uk]

Are you restoring a database or doing a fresh install? If so, I have had that error (when using SIMS) and it was always because "Validate Memberships" had to be run

[waldronm2000]

Hi

 

I've been doing a fresh install and getting this error message. Just as a test, I installed a brand new VM with Windows Server 2003 R2 and downloaded all critical updates. I didn't install anything else, as I wanted to check whether any other apps on the production server were causing the problem. I then ran the install from the Spring 2010 iso, and got exactly the same result. Despite getting the error message during installation, Sims runs, but it tells me I need to run the configuration utility. Trying to rerun this gives the same SQL error. Seems strange that it doesn't install straight "out of the box". Can't see how Validate Memberships can be relevant to a fresh install. Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

[vikpaw]

During install do you take the option to attach your db file?

I always just leave defaults and let it create a new db. Then upgrade to the latest version before adding my db backup.

Never had a problem with doing a clean install.

[waldronm2000]

Thanks Vikpaw. I just stuck with the defaults all the way through, as wanted to rule out any complications.

 

Having had a look on SupportNet I found this message can be caused by insufficient RAM. I've upped the spec of my VM and trying again now.

[waldronm2000]

Success! Just needed more RAM.

[vikpaw]

Success! Just needed more RAM.

I don't believe you! How much did you give it to begin with? I'm sure i've done an install with 2GB on my laptop.

[waldronm2000]

Well, I only have 2GB on my laptop, and this was a VM, so I started with 512MB. I figured (stupidly) it'd tell me if it needed more! For what I'm planning, I need 3 virtual SIMS servers running. 512MB wasn't enough, but 768MB worked ok. I've ordered a 4GB upgrade kit for my laptop.

[vikpaw]

Makes sense if the memory was that low, that it struggled to load and manage everything it needed to.

Is that +4GB or replace the 2 with 4? I replaced the 2 on my macbookpro to 4, and it barely could manage 1 VM server on vmfusion at a time. I wouldn't recommend trying to run them concurrently.

Does it have to be on your laptop? can't you do it on a desktop or ideally server, and then just connect to it via the laptop?

[waldronm2000]

4GB to replace the 2GB, unfortunately. I'll probably end up doing this evenings and weekends (investigating school merging), so it'll have to be on my laptop if at all possible.

[vikpaw]

If you're doing it at home, i'd still consider using a home server or something that you can load up with more RAM. I ran a server on my macbookpro for ages, but it lagged significantly, and that was with OS X. I can't imagine how a PC would cope. I ran a few servers off my PC using VMWare server and that was horrendous, but never more than one at a time.

 

4GB isn't really that much if you have to share it, unless you've got a really good VM infrastructure, i know somewhere that VMWare is managing hundreds of sims instances with only 8GB, but it's a full install, with decent memory management, and probably deduplication working extremely well.

 

If you can i'd prefer server side install, so you're not using the OS that it's based on at the time, and then just remote access it if you can. Logmein or such like.

 

Try it on your laptop, it might be with the latest tech, things run different. The new macbookpro i7, is quad core, and is shiny and new

[waldronm2000]

Only testing a concept currently, will be able to use real hardware when it comes to doing the job for real.

 

Current problem is I'm trying to replicate the school's current SIMS database in a VM, so now that I've got the VM working I've got a backup of the sims.mdf and sims.ldf files from the live server. When I try to attach these to the VM, it works fine but when I run SIMS I get an incompatible database error. I guess this is because VM has fresh install Spring 2010 release, while live server is up to date. I don't want to run Solus on the VM if I can avoid it, as this may affect the live server when it next runs Solus. I've copied the relevant updates into the Setups folder in the VM, but is there any way to get them to install without running Solus?

[wesleyw]

Just run the exes in the setups folder or run simsinst

 

Wes

[waldronm2000]

Have run the istall to get the system to its current state (Spring 2010 - Version 7.128, database build 3.61.643). What I've copied from the live server are zip files containing sql command scripts, and associated signature files, no other exes. In theory they're enough to raise the build to 3.61.722, if I can figure out how to apply them.

[vikpaw]

Just use dbupgrade, and it will detect anything that is required. The other neater alternative, i think mentioned in my previous links, just involved downloading the spring 11 iso, and that will fill in the blanks. The specific ones you need are listed in my other post, if you do just want to use individual files.

 

Sorry mate, was thinking of another thread where i posted some links - been a long day : http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/76109-sims-net-sql-server-2008_windows-2003-a.html#post678286

Edited May 24, 2011 by vikpaw
linky

[NorthernSands]

The 'Incompatible DB' error is indeed due to the mismatch of SIMS versions. Best thing would be to run the Spring 2011 Update ISO. This will use a version of SOLUS that points to the CD / ISO to 'download' the updates, thus not affecting the online SOLUS service. You can try running SOLUS and it might pick up the updates that you copied over and ask if you want to install those before checking online. I would prefer to use the update ISO, however.

 

I run a couple of VMs on my workstation. It's got 4GB installed but is only using 3.5 (Windows 7 32 Bit). It's rather sluggish but does the job with Green Abbey. It's not so hot with our DB though.

 

Good luck

Edited May 24, 2011 by NorthernSands
Vik beat me to it! ;)

[Oops_my_bad]

Sorry to butt in here unannounced. I've got the Spring 2011 ISO to do a fresh install. The release docs say this is a "main" release which I understand is the only sort of release you can fresh install from, however it appears to be an upgrade release. When I try running it it comes up with an error saying "SIMS.ini file does not exist in the windows folder." - course it doesn't, it's a fresh install for goodness sakes

 

What's the last release I can use to do a fresh install?

 

Thanks...

Edited May 24, 2011 by Oops_my_bad

[NorthernSands]

@Oops_my_bad: Unless they've released the install version of Spring 2011, which they hadn't last time I looked (a couple of weeks ago), then the latest install version is Spring 2010. Use that, then the Spring 2011 Update, and you're good to go.

[vikpaw]

What he said.

I think the MAIN means it includes all updates since the last main, rather than being an interim, but in practise that's not true.

I'm sure in the old days, i used to just copy all the files over from the old server and run simsinst. you just need to put the sims.ini in manually. copy all the Sims share over inc. setups folder etc. Just doesn't give you a clean install.

[Sdrawkcab]

@Oops_my_bad: Unless they've released the install version of Spring 2011, which they hadn't last time I looked (a couple of weeks ago), then the latest install version is Spring 2010. Use that, then the Spring 2011 Update, and you're good to go.

 

They've released a Spring 2011 installable ISO since then, you need to log a case (or I guess get your LA to) and then they'll send you the link to download it.

[vikpaw]

They've released a Spring 2011 installable ISO since then, you need to log a case (or I guess get your LA to) and then they'll send you the link to download it.

 

I can confirm this, i asked this morning, but forget to post. There is apparently a linked KB to it too, but it's internal only. My contact was going to get in touch when it was sorted. However, i've never seen a link to an installable in the KB area, only ever the upgrade ISO, so maybe that's how it has to be. Contacting support is defo the way to go, as the right person isn't at the end of [email protected] for the next two weeks, which is where you could ask for it.

[vikpaw]

Try SupportNet KB110102 :0)