Recently, I received an email from one of my blog readers who was facing an issue with the model database in SQL Server. The SQL Service was not able to start due to corruption in the model database. The reader had a backup of the model database and wanted to restore it, but was confused by the conflicting information available on the internet.

When searching for a solution, the reader came across some incorrect hints such as starting SQL with trace flag 3608 or starting SQL Server via the command prompt using sqlservr.exe -c -m. However, these suggestions did not resolve the issue and resulted in error messages.

Restoring the model database is actually a straightforward process and does not require any special switches or startup parameters. There are two ways to restore the model database: using a T-SQL query or the Management Studio UI.

However, in this case, the SQL Server was not starting because the model database was in a bad state. To resolve this issue, we need to follow the correct steps. Here is a flow chart that outlines the exact steps needed:

By following the steps in the flow chart, you can restore the model database directly using T-SQL or the SSMS UI.

It is important to be cautious when searching for information on the internet, as there is a possibility of coming across incorrect or misleading information. Always rely on trusted sources and verify the information before implementing any solutions.

Have you ever encountered incorrect information on the internet? Share your experiences in the comments below!