• 1) sp_whoisactive (sqlblog.com I think version 11.11 is latest)

    2) track_waitstats_2005 (found in the sql server 2005 waits and queues white paper IIRC) to do a wait stats analysis

    3) run a file IO stall analysis

    Download my Tune Like a Guru presentation here: http://sqlsaturday.com/81/schedule.aspx. I have both file IO and waitstats stuff there. Every client I ever help out is taught to run those three things IMMEDIATELY and WITHOUT THOUGHT as the first response to a performance issue. One or more of them will point you in the right direction the vast majority of the time. I note they won't help you FIX a problem if you find it though! 😎

    Best,
    Kevin G. Boles
    SQL Server Consultant
    SQL MVP 2007-2012
    TheSQLGuru on googles mail service