Error message in the event log on the server that is running SharePoint Portal Server 2003: "Unable to connect to the database" (911285)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you review the event log on the server that is running Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003, you may find that many entries of the following error message are logged in the event log:
Unable to connect to the database database_name. Check the database connection information and make sure that the database server exists.

CAUSE

This problem may occur when a user cannot successfully connect to a database on the server that is running SharePoint Portal Server 2003.

RESOLUTION

How to obtain the hotfix

This issue is fixed in the SharePoint Portal Server 2003 post-Service Pack 1 Hotfix Package that is dated December 8, 2005. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

911284 Description of the Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 post-Service Pack 1 hotfix package: December 8, 2005

To enable this hotfix, follow these steps.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Web Server Extensions\Secure

  3. After you select the subkey that is specified in step 2, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
  4. Type Database Connect Timeout, and then press ENTER.
  5. Right-click Database Connect Timeout, and then click Modify.
  6. In the Value data box, type the number of seconds that you want for the database connection time-out value, and then click OK.

    Note The default value for the database connection time-out value is 20 seconds.
  7. On the File menu, click Exit to exit Registry Editor.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbExpertiseInter kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbpubtypekc KB911285 kbAudITPRO
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