WSS 3.0 updated with SP1 error - The database WSS_Content on <server>\Microsoft##SSEE is not accessible to missing Windows Internal Database signatures.

One of the project I’m working on uses WSS 3.0. In addition, we need an advanced search similar to those included in MOSS 2007. That’s why we decided to investigate and use Search Server 2008.

According to Search Server installation guide and its software requirements I’ve tried to install WSS 3.0 Service Pack 1. I’ve started the installation and after few seconds SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard was started. Al was OK till at the end the wizard finished with a message of an exception - failed to updated WSS 3.0. Similar situation is described here. After getting the error all stopped working. I’ve checked the Event Viewer for more information and found an error like "The database WSS_Content on TPA\Microsoft##SSEE is not accessible to missing Windows Internal Database signatures."

After some googling I got an e-mail conversation that helped me to solve the problem with WSS_Content and the service. Actually, I used only the first point of the message as follows:

1.  Run the following STSADM operations to stop and start the SPWebService:

    stsadm -o provisionservice -action stop -servicetype spwebservice
    -servicename ""

    stsadm -o provisionservice -action start -servicetype spwebservice
    -servicename ""

 

Then I’ve executed a command like stsadm -o upgrade -forceupgrade -inplace and all became as it was before installation - no more errors.

After fixing up the problem I’ve installed Search Service 2008 without any problems and I’ve started SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard. It completed its work and it is the end of the story.