BTW-David and I answered two different parts of your question.

1. Yes you can attach .mdf and .ldf files if you have not detached them (either using sp_detach or Enterprise Manager)....

No. If your databases were online when you made copies of the .mdf and .ldf files, they won't be usable. To be able to copy the .mdf and...

I can't see how it was working two days ago ('2005-15-12') as that date doesn't exist. I would be more willing to believe that it quit working after '2005-12-12'...

BTW-the bulk inserts are done every 5 seconds.

-SQLBill

I have a 14 disk SAN array and do both bulk inserts and reads. The SAN was partitioned into separate RAID partitions and I have my user databases on...

BTW- .194 is NO SERVICE PACK.

-SQLBill

Update your SQL Server to at least SP3a.

-SQLBill

I wouldn't do tlog backups every 5-10 minutes, that can be overkill. But do them more frequently....I do mine every four hours and my tlog never grows very large EXCEPT...

A reindex is an offline action. That means the database pretty much can't be used. I prefer DBCC INDEXDEFRAG which is online and rarely (for me) affects my users.

Also,...

I'm agreeing with JP de Jong about the tlog. I re-read your post and noticed you never backup the tlog. Do this at least once a day (I suggest...

Before you do this, scare the decison makers. Type up a formal letter stating you are willing to do this and will accomplish it to the best of your ability....

Maybe we are misunderstanding you and making this harder than it has to be....do you want to permanently change the values or just adjust for them in a script?

To permanently...

I would suggest that you consider doing more frequent differential backups. Maybe once or twice a day. When you do restores, a differential can really cut down the amount of...

Also, how do you enter those orders? Are they done all at once (Bulk insert)?

-sQLBill

What else is being done on the database? Are you doing daily reindexing? If so, that will cause your tlog to really grow huge (I believe the recommendation is 1.2...