A client’s 900 GB database made a backup of under 300 MB, and they feared data was missing. Here is what explained the small backup for a large database.
SQL SERVER – What is the Meaning of PREEMPTIVE_HTTP_EVENT_WAIT? How to Fix it?
I blocked internet access on my Azure SQL Server VM with an outbound rule and started seeing PREEMPTIVE_HTTP_EVENT_WAIT. Here is one possible cause of this wait.
Find the Oldest Query Plan in the Plan Cache
To find the oldest query plan in the plan cache, sort sys.dm_exec_query_stats by creation_time. This post tests the idea on a demo with three procedures, compares the oldest plan with the server start time, and lists what clears the plan cache.
SQL SERVER – SQL Server Agent Missing in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
A client could not see the SQL Server Agent node, it was missing in SQL Server Management Studio. Here are the possible causes, starting with sysadmin rights.
Tagging Personal Data Columns With ADD SENSITIVITY CLASSIFICATION
Add sensitivity classification to reviewed columns, inspect stored labels, and keep discovery separate from encryption and access controls.
SQL SERVER – 5061: FIX Error: ALTER DATABASE failed because a lock could not be placed on database ‘Database Name’. Try again later.
Trying to take a test database offline, we hit Msg 5061: ALTER DATABASE failed because a lock could not be placed on database. Here is how to fix it.
SQL SERVER – OLE DB Provider ‘Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0’ for Linked Server ‘(null)’ Returned Message ‘Unspecified Error’
Reading Excel through OPENROWSET failed: the OLE DB provider for linked server (null) returned message ‘Unspecified error’. Here is how I fixed it.