Reinstalling SQL Server on a cluster when a partial installation exists

Scenario: A cluster fails and you find that cluster resources supporting SQL server no longer exist. Under these circumstances a reinstall is required. Microsoft support states that you cannot simply recreate the cluster resources and registry entries. To ensure a successful reinstall the following steps must be taken.

Part I Remove all known instances of SQL Server. These steps must be performed on all nodes of the cluster. 1. Locate, and then delete the %drive%:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Binn folder. 2. Locate, and then delete these registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server

3. Locate, and then delete these registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SQLSERVERAGENT HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServerADHelper

The three registry keys in step 3 correspond to the default instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. Named instances appear similar to those listed in step 3, along with $instance_name, because instance_name is the name given to your particular instance. After you locate the correct keys for the instance you are removing, select those keys, and then delete them.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServer$InstanceName HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SQLSERVERAGENT$InstanceName HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServerADHelper$InstanceName

Remove any cluster resources for the instance that may remain in the Cluster Administrator. Only remove SQL Server resources.

Part II Remove any remnants of Microsoft Search / Full Text a) Stop the Microsoft Search Service through Control Panel / Services on BOTH nodes b) Delete all search and full text keys from BOTH nodes:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\MSSQLSERVER\MSSQLSERVER\SQLFTSEARCH HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\MSSQLSERVER\TRACKING\{E07FDDA7-5A21-11d2-9DAD00C04F79DD434} HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\SEARCH HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\MSSCNTRS HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\MSSEARCH HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\MSGATHERER HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\MSGTHRSVC HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\MSSINDEX

c) Delete everything in the mssql\ftdata directory. d) Remove the following directory: C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSSearch.

Part III Stop all but required services on all nodes of the cluster.

Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server Alerter Cluster Service Computer Browser Distributed File System Distributed Link Tracking Client Distributed Link Tracking Server DNS Client Event Log License Logging Service Logical Disk Manager Messenger Net Logon Windows NT LM Security Support Provider Network Connectors Plug and Play Process Control Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service Remote Registry Service Removable Storage Security Accounts Manager Server Spooler TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions Windows Time Service Workstation

Part 4 Reinstall Microsoft SQL Server Run the Setup for the installation, and use the Uninstall option to clean up any configuration problems or errors that may still exist because of the failed installation. This includes running the uninstall for the 'local' installation on the secondary server Reinstall Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and use the same name, and IP address. Refer to the appropriate documentation for final cluster configuration.