If you're using table variables that are more than a few rows in size, switch them to temp tables. Except for a primary key, table variables have not statistics where...

If you also get an execution plan, that will allow focus on the parts of the query that are causing the most problem.

First thing that jumped out at me was...

Seriosly, this is way to big a topic to be answered in a post. Simply saying "customer feedback" is not nearly enough information to begin designing a database. You need...

That really depends on the system. Most of our systems work just fine with the sampled statistics update, but we have a few tables on a few systems that need...

Also, make sure you look up the right way to create a user, CREATE USER. A lot of our 2000 scripts were using sp_grantdbaccess, which will create a user, but...

An index on Registrationno will help more if it's a clustered index. If it's a non-clustered index, the SELECT statement will force a key lookup either against whatever clustered index...

I don't know. I got it from our server admin guys. They handle all the software versions, etc.

That's wild, but as you say, at least you got a result. I'd be happy with a result, even a sub-standard one. Actually, I'd be happier with a sub-standard result....

It's on Connect. If you want to confirm it or track it, go here.

Nope. No recommendation from that query either. I haven't found a query yet that the silly thing will recommend and index for.

I'll post something on Connect now.

Oh, since I violated the rules with the first post, let me show my query:

SELECT soh.Freight, soh.SalesOrderNumber

FROM Sales.SalesOrderHeader AS soh

WHERE soh.SalesOrderNumber LIKE 'SO' +...

OK. A little more information. According to BOL, the DTA won't provide recommendations unless:

The table has been selected to tune (it is)

The table has more than 10 pages of...

Yeah, that might be the place to go.

I found a clean place on the wall. I'm going to do a few more bashes first.

Similar.

I know a number of other ways to fix the queries myself. I need to see the bloody DTA do the work.

I tracked down a bit of sample code...

I wouldn't say you need to replace VBS with PowerShell. Different critters really.

I'm just getting started learning Powershell. It's installed automatically with SQL Server 2008 (just run sqlps.exe) and Windows...