Logging Event ID 24581 when installing SQL instance separately before installing Backup Exec 16 or 20.x.

Problem

Event ID 24581 could be logged every 2 hours when installing SQL instance separately before installing Backup Exec 16 or 20.x.

Error Message

Log Name:        Application
Source:             SQLWRITER
Date:                 MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS
Event ID:           24581
Task Category:  None
Level:                Error
Keywords:         Classic
User:                 N/A
Computer:        <Computername>.<Domain>
Description:
Sqllib error:       System table sys.sysdatabases in SQL Server instance <Computername>\BKUPEXEC is empty.

Figure 1

Cause

This is not Backup Exec issue but SQL issue. The issue happens when the following 3 conditions are met.

1. The server has a role of Domain Controller.
2. SQL instance is installed separately.
3. "SYSTEM" user was not added as SQL Server administrators in SQL install wizard. 

The issue never happens under either condition 1 or 2 below.

1. The server belongs to Workgroup or has a role of domain member server.
2. SQL instance is installed by Backup Exec install wizard.

Solution

Add "sysadmin" role to "SYSTEM". For details, please perform below.

1. Open Command Prompt.
2. Type below in the Command Prompt.

sqlcmd -E -S .\bkupexec

3. Continuously type below.

use master
go
sp_addsrvrolemember 'NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM','sysadmin'
go
exit

4. Close the command prompt and restart SQL Server (BKUPEXEC) service and all Backup Exec services.

Applies to:

Backup Exec 16
Backup Exec 20.x