FIX: Microsoft Search Service May Cause 100% CPU Usage if BUILTIN\Administrators Login Is Removed (295034)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (all editions)
  • Microsoft Search
This article was previously published under Q295034
BUG #: 351866 (SHILOH_BUGS)

SYMPTOMS

The Microsoft Search service (MSSearch) may fail to start, or may cause 100% CPU usage, if both of the following conditions are met:
  • The BUILTIN\Administrators account is removed from SQL Server 2000.
  • The Microsoft Search service is configured to start under an account other than the local system account.

CAUSE

Running the Microsoft Search service under an account other than local system is not supported.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

290211 INF: How to Obtain the Latest SQL Server 2000 Service Pack

WORKAROUND

Change the startup account for the Microsoft Search service to the local system account.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in SQL Server 2000. This problem was first corrected in SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 1.

MORE INFORMATION

You do not need to add back the BUILTIN\Administrators account. It is fully sufficient for the service account for SQL Server and SQL Server Agent to have login rights (and be sysadmins), and to add [NT Authority\System] as a syadmin to represent the local system and thereby enable full-text search to work properly.

If you do wish to add the BUILTIN\Administrators account back into SQL Server, start SQL Enterprise Manager, go to the \ServerName\Security\Logins folder, and grant access to the BUILTIN\Administrators user.

If you wish to prevent Windows NT administrators from administering SQL Server, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

263712 INF: How To Prevent Windows NT Administrators From Administering a Clustered SQL Server

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/31/2003
Keywords:kbBug kbfix kbSQLServ2000sp1fix KB295034
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