SQL Server 2005 - SQL Instance is not able to start.

Hello experts,

I’m trying to make Cluster SQL Server 2005 and have encountered an error. It actually happened even during installation when I was making SQL Cluster. During installation when SQL Setup tired to start SQL Server instance it couldn’t and I had error saying ‘Some services need to be start manually as setup has failed to start them.’ It was obvious that it’s SQL Instance who is not able to start. When I went to start it manually it still didn’t stared. Then I checked processes though Task Manager & I observed a process (sqlserver.exe) tries to start but then suddenly get vanished. NOT SURE AT ALL WHY THOUGH. Since I’ve made cluster so when I move my groups (Cluster Group, MSDTC & SQL_2005) from active SANDBOX1 (where instance is not able to start and keep getting fail) to passive SANDBOX2 SQL Instance starts and everything start working fine. So at this point its clear something is wrong with SANDBOX1 and instances is not able to start. Did anybody faced this problem or have any clue what is causing this problem?

Thanks a lot in advance.

What it sounds like to me, is that you didn't correctly setup/configure the nodes with the cluster before you installed the software. As installing SQL Server 2005 on a cluster is straight forward, also remember to follow the rules when installing the service packs for SQL Server.

Here is a link to download the guide to follow to check that the cluster is setup correctly.