Import/Export wizard is the way to go

Unless you want the more complicated alternatives

Create a linked server, and select from the linked server on the destination SQL Server etc..

We have SQL Server 2005 Standard running on Windows 2008 no problem (well...some cluster problem)

but they definitely install

Unless Enterprise edition isn't allowed

I agree, it is annoying in SSMS the Tab is not as useful as it could be

I always have to look at the bottom right status bar to figure out...

Enable Database Mail

Add Operator

Change Job property to mail/pager/net send to Operator, on Completion/Success/Failure

or you can write the code, and share with us, even blog about it too

Sounds like a daunting task, splitting springs with MANY variations/permutations

I would suggest

create 1 Maint Plan with 2 subplans

Then you could attach a different schedule to each subplan

I do it for my

FULL backup weekly

DIFF backup daily

TLOG backup hourly

Backup file...

Glad it worked out

but yeah, a user query can cause +600GB when you -600GB on the drive? WOW...

I haven't personally played with it, but it sounded cool and many have success with it

How to: Create Multiserver Maintenance Plans

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb153887(SQL.90).aspx

No quick UNDO solution for sure

In additions to above methods (restore backup, find data)

you could perhaps use 3rd party tools to either

- read the trans. log for data

- use Red...

I think it's safe to assume 2 versions backward comptability

SQL 2005 = upgrade from 2000 and 7.0

SQL 2008 = upgrade from 2005 and 2000

Try restart the SQL services?

or try SQLCMD at your Command Prompt to see if it can connect

>sqlcmd -?

Microsoft (R) SQL Server Command Line Tool

Version 10.0.1600.22 NT INTEL X86

Copyright (c) Microsoft...

This is a LOCAL SQL Server instance? if so, Remote Connection should not be an issue

You enabled the TCP/IP in Config Manager for SQL Server Service (not Clients)?

It could be...

are you logging in via Windows Authentication?

check that your account is valid on the AD domain, and not locked out. There may be problem with picking up the domain controller

Can...

This is just me, but

1) Do i need to inform downtime while installing SP3 on DB server?

YES

2) Do i need to restart the DB server?

YES

3) Should i send email to...

James' answer is good

short answer is NO, SP1/SP2 is not required for SP3 install