SQL Server doesn't see Data drive

  • I'm trying to install SQL Server 2012 on a new guest server. I can go through the installation just fine assuming I choose default file paths. Unfortunately SQL Server 2012 refuses to recognize my Data drive (D drive). I can't choose it through the Database default locations property, when creating a database etc. When I try a create database script I receive the following:

    failed with the operating system error 5(Access is denied.)

    This makes zero sense considering the SQL Server service account is both local administrator AND has full control with inheritable permissions on the Data drive (the D drive). I've even tried running management studio under administrator.

    Has anyone experienced anything like this? This is my 7th SQL 2012 installation and the only time I've had this issue. This is the first time I've tried to install SQL Server on WIndows 2012.

    Some details about the setup:

    SQL Server 2012

    Windows 2012

    running on VSphere 5.1

    100 GB vDisk MBR 64 K cluster size.

  • I've found a fix for this issue. If you configure a BASIC disk it fails. However when a DYNAMIC disk is used full functionality is restored. I'm not sure if this is a SQL Server or Windows 2012 issue. I've reproduced this issue on SQL Server 2012 RTM and CU1.

  • I suspect theres a deeper issue here. You dont want to be using dynamic disks, these are only designed for use when you want to crete a software raid through windows.

    I have 2 windows 2012 vms under esx5.1 with sql server 2012 installed without issue.

    How did you format the drive, what settings, before using it?

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • I am experiencing an identical problem (and this thread is the only reference I can find to it anywhere).

    SQL Studio > Server > Properties > Database Settings > Default Locations > Browse - Only shows C: drive

    During the initial install the other volumes ARE listed and selectable, so if you change the default locations at that stage you get the Access Denied error when trying to add our first DB afterwards.

    My disks were formatted NTFS using Disk Management (via Computer Management), but I also tried Server Manager, and both GPT and MBR.

    I can also confirm that converting a disk to Dynamic works (after an OS restart, just a SQL Server restart isn't enough), but formatting back to Basic the drives disappear from the list again.

    [SQLSrvStd 11.0.2100.60 on WinSrvStd 2012 under ESXi5.1]

  • How are the disks presented to the OS, (iscsi, fibre channel, local raid,etc)?

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • The storage is on an FC SAN, but the disks have just been added to the VM in VirtualCenter using the standard "Add Hardware" process...

    Windows sees them as a "VMware Virtual disk SCSI Disk Device".

  • Perry Whittle (10/24/2012)


    I suspect theres a deeper issue here. You dont want to be using dynamic disks, these are only designed for use when you want to crete a software raid through windows.

    I have 2 windows 2012 vms under esx5.1 with sql server 2012 installed without issue.

    How did you format the drive, what settings, before using it?

    I use the exact same configuration as you. I'm formatting the drives with 64 bit cluster sizes. We have eager zero'ed the disks. I've tried both a long and quick format. The disks are vDisks not RDM.

    any more ideas?

  • Hmm ghetto default for Windows 2012 is to set up the disk as GPT when laying the partition down, I'll need to dig into this a little more when I have time.

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Perry Whittle (12/11/2012)


    Hmm ghetto default for Windows 2012 is to set up the disk as GPT when laying the partition down, I'll need to dig into this a little more when I have time.

    I took your idea here and I've tried MBR basic and dynamic disks as well as GPT basic and dynamic disks. In each case only the Dynamic disk works.

  • Which storage driver are you using

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Perry Whittle (12/11/2012)


    Which storage driver are you using

    I'm not sure what you mean by storage driver. Its a Vsphere 5.1 VM. Are you asking what storage controller I'm using?

  • Yes

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • Try the solution posted two threads or so below yours, should resolve your problem.

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1300021-2799-2.aspx

  • james 93738 (12/11/2012)


    Try the solution posted two threads or so below yours, should resolve your problem.

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1300021-2799-2.aspx

    It turned out the VMWare HotAdd bug was indeed the culprit of my issue. Here is direct link to the VM Knowledge base article: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1012225

    Thanks to all that helped or tried to help!

    Now we are going to work with VMWare to find the solution. Otherwise we won't be able to add disks without downing the server. Very unfortunate.

  • Thanks for posting back this may help others in the future.

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

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