Some background. Initially created the farm (MOSS 2007 with SharePoint SP2), created the first two web apps (for SSP and My Sites), created the SSP, everything seemed to be fine.Then went to create a web application from Central Admin. Every time it generated an unknown error in SharePoint. It attempts to create the web app, then the screen says, "Unknown error." That's all the info from SharePoint. We've checked the SQL permissions and the group memberships / permissions on the server. Everything appears to be fine.I'm especially puzzled because we were able to create web apps for the SSP. I can't figure out what changed after the SSP was created.This is the error from the event viewer below.Any thoughts? Event Type: ErrorEvent Source: Windows SharePoint Services 3Event Category: Database Event ID: 5586Date: 2/4/2010Time: 1:54:39 PMUser: N/AComputer: Description:Unknown SQL Exception 1802 occured. Additional error information from SQL Server is included below. CREATE DATABASE failed. Some file names listed could not be created. Check related errors.CREATE FILE encountered operating system error 5(Access is denied.) while attempting to open or create the physical file 'I:\SharepointData\WSS_Content_Test.mdf'. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

You have a permissions problem in SQL Server with the SERVICE ACCOUNT that you are using for SharePoint. Make sure that the service account has db_SecurityAdmin and db_DatabaseCreator rights in SQL Server.I trust that answers your question...ThanksChttp://www.cjvandyk.com/blog

My apologies I initially misread your question....Assumptions1. I:\ is a local drive.2. The SQL Service Account has Permissions to write to I:\-IvanIvan Sanders My LinkedIn Profile, My Blog, @iasanders.

Ivan - I:\ is part of the SQL server file structure, and yes the service acct has write permissions there.Cornelius - The service acct does have db_dbcreator rights, am checking on db_securityadmin.Thank you both for your suggestions.

Hi,could you please check that The account that sql runs as needs to have the security privledge to access the directory or file?Best Regrads, Ahmed Madany

Please check the following Post:http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/sqldatabaseengine/thread/11546d68-7eaa-4965-8bc9-09a92f8e1f6f/This talks about the issue you are facing and have many techies contributed to it. Might be useful.I LOVE MS..... Thanks and Regards, Kshitiz (Posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.)

Thanks all for your suggestion and information. I am working with our DBA on this for a resolution. So far it appears that the issue may with group membership / permissions on the SQL box itself and not a db specific permission per se. I will post back once we reach a resolution. Thanks again.