I haven't got experience with dual cpu's.

Did you have a look at "parallel queries" in the books online?

Configuration Settings that Influence Parallel Queries

The following server configurations can affect parallel execution of...

Can we see the code of the stored procedure.

Is the hash table a temporary table (last for one connection) or a more permanent one?

*I'm wonding if the query will work at all

from tableB

where field1 not in (select field1 from tableB) /* every record eliminated + a subselect on each record executed because of...

Are you using ADO?

Can we see ( a piece) of your code that causes the error?

Are you deleting rows in the same statement?

according to Microsoft, if you use a SAN you need some different counters

Thanks for sharing. One more reason not to use select *

first make copy (try to name the fields instead of using select *)

SELECT * INTO Table2

FROM Table1

WHERE Finished='Yes'

afterwards cleaning out table1

the inner joins verifies you are only deleting "copied" records...

1) the query has extra subselects in the select clause, move them where possible in the from or where clause.

Have a look at

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/sql_server_performance_audit10.asp

and

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/query_execution_plan_analysis.asp

to analyze query...

make sure you join with the new table then in order not to delete fresh finished records.

1) cursors are mostly used as last resorts (because they are such a performance drain on the server) to implement complex logic. Beginners tend to use them also because it...

1) is there any firewall in between?

2) What is the OS of your sql server and is sql server patched up to at least SP3+hotfix or SP4?

Can you trace the sql statements sent to sql server using sql profiler?

You can then analyze the query plans in the query analyzer (display estimated query plan)

Possible causes:

a query is...

1)Haven't really got that situation myself, but it can be because connections aren't closed as quickly as possible after their use.

http://www.15seconds.com/issue/040830.htm

3) It all depends wath the server will do,...

You don't need to take a database offline to back it up.

Attaching/detaching: allows to copy the mdf/ldf files.

does the sql agent account has the rights to start the reindexing?