Power Monitoring Expert cannot launch because there is a problem with the database.

Issue
The following error was seen when attempting to launch the Management Console in PME:

"Power Monitoring Expert cannot launch because there is a problem with the database."


In StruxureWare Power Monitoring 7.0 (SPM):

"ION Enterprise cannot launch because there is a problem with the database."


Product Line
Struxureware Power Monitoring 7.0(SPM)
Power Monitoring Expert 7.2.x
Power Monitoring Expert 8.x
Power Monitoring Expert 9.0
Power Monitoring Expert 2020
Power Monitoring Expert 2021
Power Monitoring Expert 2022
Power Monitoring Expert 2023

Environment
Management Console
Vista
Designer
Web Applications.

Cause
This can be caused by a couple of different things such as services not being started, User Mapping not being set up correctly, or the SQL password policy.

For reference, Power Monitoring Expert has four databases with different functions.

1. Application_Modules - contains configuration settings (for example: layouts, colors, application events, and so on) and cached historical data for some of the Web Applications (for example: Dashboards and Trends).
2. ION_Data - contains the historical data, events, and waveforms from devices connected to the system. This includes onboard logging configured on the devices and PC-based logging configured both within the device translators and Virtual Processors
3. ION_Network - stores device information, such as device name, device type, and connection address (for example, IP address and TCP/IP port or device/Modbus ID.
4. ION_SystemLog - holds system events and their timestamps, which is accessible to view in the Management Console.

*Note that ION_Network is unique and there is only one ION_Network per system. If the user cannot access the ION_Network database, they will not be able to access PME applications.*

Resolution
The resolutions to the above issue are:

1. Make sure that the SQL Server (ION), the SQL Server Agent, and all necessary ION or SPM services are started.
   • Services can be accessed via Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
2. If the problem persists, confirm that the User Mapping for ION is correct.
   1. Open SQL Server Management Studio
   2. Expand the SQL Server Logs folder under Management > SQL Server Logs
   3. Check for permission issues such as Login failed for user 'ION'. Reasons: Failed to open the explicitly specified database 'ION_network'
   4. If this is the case, expand the Security > Logins folder in SQL Server Management Studio
   5. Then right-click on ION > Properties > User Mapping
   6. Confirm both the db owner and public checked for each of the databases

3. Confirm that the SQL password enforcement is not preventing access.
   1. Open SQL Server Management Studio
   2. Expand the Security > Logins section
   3. Right-click on the 'ION' account and select 'Properties' from the menu
   4. Uncheck 'Enforce password policy' and click 'OK'
   5. If the enforcement policy is preventing the user from working then use the Reset Accounts option to change the password:
      1. Open Control Panel
      2. Select "Uninstall Program" or "Programs and features" depending on the view in Control Panel
      3. Select Power Monitoring Expert and click the "Change" button or right-click on Power Monitoring Expert and select "Change" from the options
      4. Click on "Reset Accounts" and follow the prompts to set the Database Accounts password to the desired value.