Perhaps you could share some code?

Table and clustered index and which data you think is where.

Doesn't seem correct. I wouldn't think there would be uncommitted transactions after a restore. After a restart from sudden stop, but not a restore.

Tom,

Feel bad for you and it sounds like a bad plan got pulled into memory. I don't suppose you have a copy of the "good" plan? If not, grab one...

No, server roles do not impact database permissions.

Are you creating databases on the fly? Why not add a standard NT group to the db_datareader when you create the db?

Maybe you should explain the issue a bit more from your side. It's not quite clear what you called about and what the symptoms are.

Interesting items from Chris and it probably is worth another editorial (or maybe Chris wants to write one) about it. I'd say that being early hasn't mattered to me, but...

Unless you're snagging rowcounts when you backup, how can you determine things are successful? How do you know you restored the right file?

It's an interesting question, and ultimately you might...

xp_startmail

Will start or return "started" or return an error.

Not sure. Is this from SSMS when you're selecting the database (right click), properties?

I think that the DBCC PAGE command might work here, not knowing if you have the required information, but as Matt mentioned, why do you need to do it this...

Also, are you sure the destination is up?

How large is the log? It sounds like a network error. Does it work if you restart the job?

I would also use the Windows service level options to restart the service and perhaps send an email using a script.

If you can view it in SSMS, the instance is started. In SSMS, however, are you registering/connecting to "YOUR-16EFCDA" or "YOUR-16EFCDA\SQLEXPRESS".

I suppose the default might technically incur slightly more resources to find the default and add it to the table (not sure if this is done inline or in a...