I haven't seen this issue, but haven't tried SQL2008. Have you rebooted after install to be sure no pending operations?

Have you run a DBCC CheckDB? I'd be concerned about corruption here

I haven't done much more than have the deployment scripts available in the past. We used to keep a "changes.txt" on the desktop of every server, where DBAs could update...

Merry Christmas to everyone. A nice, quiet one here.

You are welcome and hope things work out. If you're interested, this would make a great short article for you to publish.

Really?

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-SORCERERS-Rowling-Jan-01-1999-Hardcover/dp/B007M81WZ0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1514297829&sr=8-3&keywords=harry+potter+sorcerer%27s+stone
Film:  https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Sorcerers-Daniel-Radcliffe/dp/B0011AQLZQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514297829&sr=8-2&keywords=harry+potter+sorcerer%27s+stone

Having fun for a few days

Merry Belated Christmas to all and finally back at work.

Apologies. Accidentally checked two boxes. This has been fixed and the points awarded back.

In this case, with one group by column, both operators return the same number of...

I'd open a case with MS.

Here you go: https://support.microsoft.com/en-sg/help/4053407/sql-server-2017-cannot-decrypt-data-encrypted-by-earlier-versions

sp_configure 'remote connections', 1
reconfigure with override.

Might need to connect locally with ssms/sqlcmd