How big are your databases? You might check the scheduler on the job, it could be running this query lots of times.

One question about the code:

TO DISK = N'C:\Base backup'...

You can quantify the differences. Get the execution plans first. That will show you where the changes are occurring between the execution without the function and the one with it....

You can run the script from anywhere that you have a utility that can connect to the database and run the script. Nothing that comes with a Window Server install...

We hit something similar and it was a security issue. The service is running, but the error says it isn't, well, that's because the security context wouldn't allow it to...

The changes to the query could come from several sources, but I'll just address two. If you were changing the parameters, you may have hit upon a set of parameters...

I'd say yes, you should follow directives from on high as long as those directives are given with the full understanding of the implications. It doesn't sound like this is...

I don't want to get into the USB discussion, but I'd recommend having a single backup process for the server. It should backup the databases seperately, yes, but you should...

I agree with Lowell. From the description, the index is woefully inadequate for the data and the optimizer assumes a scan will work better. But there must be more to...

Yep, I stand clarified. Compression is available only on Developer & Enterprise versions.

I'm in agreement with Gail on this, why are you returning millions of rows?

If you really want to understand why the query is running slowly, you need to examine the...

There is no mechanism within SQL Server 2005 to compress data. You can get third party tools to compress the backups (Red Gate, Ultrabac, Quest Litespeed), but only SQL Server...

I don't know of, nor have I heard of any mechanisms for data compression prior to SQL Server 2008. You can get third party software that will compress backups for...

Is the deadlock occurring every time you execute the statement? If so, you've got a fundamental problem somewhere. If you can, in addition to getting the traceflag data as Gail...

It sounds like one or more of your databases is in full recovery mode but you don't have log backups running.

I do feel your pain. I work as a development dba, so I straddle both disciplines although the overwhelming majority of my work is straight database work.

It does require a...