Even small amounts of data can be most inefficient with cursor access. A cursor that loops through just 100 rows of data will require 100 8K page reads just...

Yes, performance tuning is one of my bailiwicks. You will note, however, that I didn't say you should hire me. ...

see my first post: DROP DATABASE databasename

connect to the server using the tool of your choice. sql server management studio is the main interface to sql 2005 and...

To explain and get understanding of the very few exceptions to #4 requires a lot of effort on both parties and still has low probability of success --> it is...

I cannot see how a DROP DATABASE XXX statement would result in sql server trying to (un)install anything.

In any case, if the .msi is missing, did you ever delete stuff...

Mark, you don't give your level of experience with databases or sql server, so it is a bit difficult to target advice for you.

1) Mentoring is the best way to...

Actually, I do like the idea of select CONSTANT for exists checks.  But that wasn't offered as one of the 2 possibilities the poster gave.  🙂

I saw somewhere on the...

If you do get to monkey'ing with the phone code, issuing the set deadlock priority statement just after you make the database connection would be best.

Logon trigger will work too. ...

1) You don't need to put the database back into simple form when you restore it elsewhere.  Generate a restore script that simply places all existing files on the same...

>>I only use SELECT * with [NOT] EXISTS. Should I be replacing the * with some indexed column (preferably one in the WHERE clause)?

An emphatic NO to that one for...

1) How many disk controllers do you have?  I hope a bunch of them with a lot of cache on each.

2) As others have mentioned, RAID5 has poor write performance...

>> Not sure what you're calling a base table but the correct covering indexes will allow for full length table access using index seeks across all tables in a join. ...

1. Create a secondary data file on DATA2 of roughly equal size to the primary and let it fill in naturally as extends are allocated to objects in the database.

2. Move some...

1) Jeff, we have been through this before so no need to post your covering index proof.  My statement is clearly for situations where the base table needs to be...

I would also recommend having a professional give your system a performance review if you are now the dba but are not trained as such.