A Sqllib error with hr = 0x80004005 and Native Error 17 says SQL Server does not exist or access denied. The simple fix is to enable TCP-IP in Configuration Manager.
SQL SERVER – DBCC command to RESEED Table Identity Value – Reset Table Identity
DBCC CHECKIDENT with RESEED lets you reset table identity to any value. Reseed to 0 so the next insert gets 1, and never go below values already in the table.
SQL SERVER – Union vs. Union All – Which is better for performance?
UNION removes duplicate rows like SELECT DISTINCT, while UNION ALL keeps them all. My early notes on Union vs. Union All, with a link to the rewritten post.
Checking the Update History of an Instance
Reconstruct SQL Server update history from Setup Bootstrap logs, startup error logs, and the current build when no patch ledger exists.
SQL SERVER – Script to Determine Which Version of SQL Server 2000-2005 is Running
A quick way to see which version of SQL Server 2000 or 2005 is running: SERVERPROPERTY returns the product version, the product level and the edition.
SQL SERVER – QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON/OFF and ANSI_NULL ON/OFF Explanation
What do SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER and SET ANSI_NULLS do around every stored procedure you create? A plain explanation of both settings, ON and OFF.
SQL SERVER – Delete Duplicate Records – Rows
A short query to delete duplicate records from a table with an identity column: keep the MAX(ID) in each group of duplicate columns and remove the rest.
WINDOW: Reuse an Explicit Running-Total Frame
WINDOW lets me name a window definition and reuse it across compatible calculations. I still specify the partition, ordering and frame. A short name should make the intended calculation easier to review.
SQL SERVER – What is New in SQL Server Agent for Microsoft SQL Server 2005
A TechNet article I liked on what’s new in SQL Server Agent for SQL Server 2005: security, proxy accounts, shared schedules, WMI alerts and Database Mail.
Restore Database Backup Using T-SQL, Step by Step
To restore database backup files safely, read the backup first, then restore under a name and paths you choose. This post builds a small demo database, backs it up, and restores it with MOVE and REPLACE. It also explains the errors that stop most restores.