sql server replication: Hello,
I am trying to restore the distribution database. I get an error that
reads "Exclusive access cannot be obtained because the database is in
use. RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally.".
The SQL Server Books Online tells the following about restoring
distribution database.

"When restoring distribution, the SQL Server replication utilities
should be stopped. If the SQL Server replication utilities are
running, they may access distribution. Replication utilities that must
be stopped are:
i. The Replication Log Reader Agent utility.
ii. The Replication Distribution Agent utility.
iii. The Replication Snapshot Agent utility.
iv. The Replication Merge Agent utility"

Is there any other way apart from stopping all the replication
utilities to get the restore working?

If you have any entry in sysprocesses table accessing the distribution
database the restore will fail with that error.
So check to see what is accessing the database and kill the connection in
the most suitable manner,

Gopal
Microsoft