Get "unable to connect to localhost" when trying to start Surface Area Configuration

• Amy Stuemky

  Mr or Mrs. 500

  Points: 592

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  February 13, 2008 at 1:27 pm

  #186508

  Hello all, I hope someone can help me with this.

  This is happening on a new SQL Server 2005 cluster that we just installed for the first time, with SP2. I am trying to use a stored procedure with xp_cmdshell to run a script to backup the databases. When I run it, I get the following error: locked access to procedure 'sys.xp_cmdshell' of component 'xp_cmdshell' because this component is turned off as part of the security configuration for this server. A system administrator can enable the use of 'xp_cmdshell' by using sp_configure. For more information about enabling 'xp_cmdshell', see "Surface Area Configuration" in SQL Server Books Online.

  So to try and fix this problem, I started Surface Area Configuration on the local SQL Server itself, and clicked on "Surface Area Configuration for Features". I then got the following error:

  "Failed to connect to localhost. (Mirosoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo)

  Additional information: An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)

  I am logged onto the server as a user with Admin privs; I installed SQL Server using that id. I am logged in via remote connection, so I know it allows remote connections... and I am logged into the server itself when I try to run the tool, so I don't understand why it's saying that it's trying to connect remotely. I've also tried connecting directly to each of the cluster servers rather than the cluster alias and it didn't help.

  I also tried manually granting it via SQL with the following:

  EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1

  GO

  -- To update the currently configured value for advanced options.

  RECONFIGURE

  GO

  -- To enable the feature.

  EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1

  GO

  -- To update the currently configured value for this feature.

  RECONFIGURE

  GO

  But got this error:

  Configuration option 'show advanced options' changed from 1 to 1. Run the RECONFIGURE statement to install.

  Msg 5845, Level 16, State 1, Line 2

  Address Windowing Extensions (AWE) requires the 'lock pages in memory' privilege which is not currently present in the access token of the process.

  Configuration option 'xp_cmdshell' changed from 1 to 1. Run the RECONFIGURE statement to install.

  Msg 5845, Level 16, State 1, Line 2

  Address Windowing Extensions (AWE) requires the 'lock pages in memory' privilege which is not currently present in the access token of the process.

  I have granted myself lock pages in memory privileges and still it doesn't change me getting this error.

  Has anyone else ever experienced this problem? Thanks for any help you can give.

  Best, Amy