Opening a database diagram failed with error 15517: Cannot execute as the database principal because the principal ‘dbo’ does not exist. Let me show you the fix.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
What is Clean Buffer in DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS? – Interview Question of the Week #215
What is a clean buffer in DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS? No one had asked me this in 20 years, so here is the answer in the simplest words I could find.
SQL SERVER – FIX: The specified instance of SQL Server is hosted by a system that is not a Windows Server Failover Cluster(WSFC) Node.
After a cluster rebuild, adding a replica failed: The specified instance is hosted by a system that is not a Windows Server Failover Cluster node. Here is the fix.
SQL SERVER – SQL Server Configuration Manager Missing from Start Menu
SQL Server Configuration Manager missing from the Start Menu? Open it directly from C:\Windows\System32 with the SQLServerManager msc file for your version.
Hypothetical Indexes in SQL Server: Find and Drop Them All
Hypothetical indexes are leftovers from the Database Engine Tuning Advisor. They hold a name and statistics but no data. This post lists them, shows they cannot serve a query, and drops them in two steps: a list you read first, and a drop second.
SQL SERVER – SQL Service Not Getting Started Automatically After Server Reboot While Using gMSA Account
My first gMSA test: SQL Service was not started automatically after server reboot, even with automatic startup set. Here is what the event log showed.
SQL SERVER – Error: 18456, State 149 – Login-based Server Access Validation Failed With an Infrastructure Error. Login Lacks Connect Endpoint Permission
Connecting to the DAC with SQLCMD, I got Error 18456, State 149: Login lacks connect endpoint permission. Here is what the ERRORLOG showed and how to fix it.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.
You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.
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My Practical Workshop has no PowerPoint, just live demos. My AI Enablement Workshop shows your team where AI saves hours, and where it quietly costs them.
Over 400 customers have worked with me this way, and not one shared a password. See all consulting options.
Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

