That does sound like an issue with the blocks or files. I would definitely have the SAN guys double check and be sure that all firmware/drivers are up to...

That seems like a lot of VLFs, but I'd like to know what Gail and others think.

Are you planning on letting that run to finish? (the restore)

Yes, Bru is correct.

If you are installing the core engine, database services, these are completely separate. Separate folder for files, dbs, separate registry and services. You can apply SPs to...

There might be a better way, but I'd actually use a HAVING clause and a union.

select count(1) as Total, Category

from manager

group by Category

...

good luck. Not sure what to do here. I lean towards calling MS since everything else might cause more issues. That at least provides some CYA to you if things...

nope, downtime required, but you could script this and do it relatively quickly during off hours.

I'd script it from the command line using osql, detach the db, then copy the...

Can you start the instance in single user mode?

Also, any chance you can script out logins and rebuild master, then add them back? It sounds almost like a master database...

It sounds like something is messed up. The MSDE isn't a default as well by any chance, is it?

I know SP4 was quick, but not that quick. Does SP4 ask...

You should be fine, but don't install any non-instance aware items, such as client tools or SSIS. They might overwrite what's there.

The application log won't help you with services. You need to check the system log.

I've typically done the work myself, but there was a case where we were stuck. In a large shop, we had a Microsoft TAM and contacted him. He arranged for...

Mine have typically been good. In small companies, I've usually worked closely with them, and had us backing up each other. In larger companies, often the DBA has been a...

the name of servers or databases? Are you centralizing backups from multiple servers?

VBScript/Powershell might be the easiest way. you can write a script to delete files older than some date.

Here's...

In query analyzer, file | open, choose the file.

If you have multiple files to run, you can script this using isql/osql in a batch file. Enter each one as a...

Did you check the event logs for errors?