Sql server,most other databases and recently Vista keep data in cache (empty memory=wasted memory) to operate faster by avoiding disk access. Thats why its memory usage continues to grow (in...

Depending on frequency, you can create a linked server for it. The msaccess subforum probably holds the answer.

Dynamic queries good/bad : it depends.

Usually they give the same performance than stored procedures but lack some encapsulation. (since sql server will try to cache the plan)

For this goal, dynamic...

What is the serverpack level of win2000? Most recent windowsupdates installed?

Because the client usually dictates what the sorting will be (for a proper seperation of the data and its presentation). No need to sort it twice.

select ...

from myview

where ...

order by...

I got my replication issues fixed by reducing the batchsize from 500 to 100.

It is usually done by implementing/using a ntp-service (network time protocol)

you start the vbs script with wscript or cscript?

Why don't you use mobile/external harddisks? Backup at site, and send it over at certain intervals.

You can consider replication for critical data.

Do you have differential backups in place?

Are the backups...

Autoshrink isn't a recommeded option. It locks the database for shrinking.

With simple mode, you don't have to worry about the database growing too big, because at the end it will...

As soon you use AWE you have to set the memory to fixed size. I don't have the enterprise edition to test it out. It could be it can allocate...

Also set the maximum/minimum memory to fixed. Likely dynamic is limited to 2GB.

Is this sql server 2000 standard edition (limited to 2GB)?

If you want sql server 2000 to use more memory you need the enterprise edition or higher.

Perhaps you can start the...

sounds indeed like a CHECKPOINT (sudden spike)

Are the client tools on their pc also updated to the server servicepack level?

server: sql server 2000 sp3 -> client enterprise manager sp3

server: sql server 2000 sp4 -> client enterprise...