CAST() or CONVERT() to an integer is my first thought. If it's a string, you can SUBSTRING using CHARINDEX to find the decimal point.

For the database, create a user-defined database role. Assign it the permissions currently granted to AcmeCorp\SalesUsers. Then make the AcmeCorp\SalesUsers user a member of that role. You can use sp_helprotect...

In my blog today I have a link to an article by Chris Andrews, a SQL Server Security guru. Generally @@VERSION is the most accurate way, but that may not...

Are you sure files got replaced by older versions? I gave an example where that is possible, but you'll have to investigate your own environment. Typically you can do this...

The component in question was re-registered by the memory hotfix (actually handle). Here is the hotfix in question:

FIX: Handle Leak Occurs in SQL Server When Service...

Yes, unfortunately, it can be true.

A classic example is Microsoft released a memory leak hotfix after the patch that guarded a SQL Server against what ended up being SQL...

I like your avatar as well. It's not a Gundam, but hey, that's not for everybody.

How about the actual OS system event logs?

Looks like I was writing as you were submitting. Check the logs both on your server and on the DC to see if there were any issues regarding your computer...

Out of curiosity, what happens if you add the domain global group directly to SQL Server, without the local group?

The /3GB switch is unrelated to the use of memory above 3 GB. The /3GB switch has an effect on how much "memory" in the memory space the operating system...

The DDL is critical here, especially since you say this view references 6 other views. If you're nesting views like that, you're going to have to look at the referenced...

Today had been one of those head-down, weary experiences due to hardware issues at work. Then I saw this announcement in the newsletter. This completely brightened my day.

Way to...

Biggest headache may be support from MS... remember, altering the permissions will result in a non-supported state. Whatever you remove, remember to have scripted the mechanisms to reapply the permissions.

SP4, as in the beta? Any error in the application event log?