SQL 2012 SqlAgent wont start

Question

Hi,
I'm testing a new install of SQL server2012, and the SQLAgent will no longer start.
Build = Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (SP1) - 11.0.3000.0 (X64) 
Enterprise Edition: Core-based Licensing (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.2 <X64> (Build 9200: ) (Hypervisor)
The SQL Agent log contains the following messages
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [100] Microsoft SQLServerAgent version 11.0.3000.0 (X64 unicode retail build) : Process ID 6860
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [495] The SQL Server Agent startup service account is WCM-LONDON\SQLControlservice.
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [393] Waiting for SQL Server to recover database 'msdb'...
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [000]
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [101] SQL Server ????????? version 11.00.3000 (0 connection limit)
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [102] SQL Server ODBC driver version 11.00.3000
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [103] NetLib being used by driver is DBNETLIB; Local host server is ??????????????
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [310] 1 processor(s) and 4096 MB RAM detected
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [339] Local computer is ????????? running Windows NT 6.2 (9200)
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ! [298] SQLServer Error: 17750, Could not load the DLL xpstar.dll, or one of the DLLs it references. Reason: 126(The specified module could not be found.). [SQLSTATE 42000] (ConnCacheSubsystems)
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ! [449] Failed to enumerate subsystems (reason: Could not load the DLL xpstar.dll, or one of the DLLs it references. Reason: 126(The specified module could not be found.). [SQLSTATE 42000] (Error 17750))
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [432] There are 0 subsystems in the subsystems cache
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ! [000] Failed to load any subsystems. Check errorlog for details.
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [000] Configuration option 'Agent XPs' changed from 1 to 0. Run the RECONFIGURE statement to install. [SQLSTATE 01000] (Message 15457)
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ? [098] SQLServerAgent terminated (normally)
 I've run dependency walker on the xpstarr and get the following list of dlls it can't find
 API-MS-WIN-CORE-KERNEL32-PRIVATE-L1-1-1.DLL
API-MS-WIN-CORE-PRIVATEPROFILE-L1-1-1.DLL
API-MS-WIN-SERVICE-PRIVATE-L1-1-1.DLL
API-MS-WIN-CORE-SHUTDOWN-L1-1-1.DLL
EXT-MS-WIN-NTUSER-UICONTEXT-EXT-L1-1-0.DLL   
IESHIMS.DLL
INSTAPI110.DLL
MFPLAT.DLL
SETTINGSYNCPOLICY.DLL
WLANAPI.DLL
Any advice on how to resolve this problem would be appreciated.
Sean

Answer 1

From the SQLAGENT Log
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ! [298] SQLServer Error: 17750, Could not load the DLL xpstar.dll, or one of the DLLs it references. Reason: 126(The specified module could not be found.). [SQLSTATE 42000] (ConnCacheSubsystems)
2014-03-18 10:05:13 - ! [449] Failed to enumerate subsystems (reason: Could not load the DLL xpstar.dll, or one of the DLLs it references. Reason: 126(The specified module could not be found.). [SQLSTATE 42000] (Error 17750))
Looks like xpstar.dll could not be loaded. Follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned in
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/2010/03/31/unable-to-connect-to-sql-server-2008-instance-after-applying-sp1.aspx and check if it resolves your issue.
- Feroz
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