A client’s maintenance plan kept failing with: xp_create_subdir() returned error 183, Cannot create a file when that file already exists. Here is the fix.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Relating Unrelated Tables – A Question from Reader
A reader asked how to relate two unrelated tables, Table_A and Table_B, and show them in one output. Here is my answer to this unusual question.
How to Shrink All the Log Files for SQL Server? – Interview Question of the Week #203
Question: How to Shrink All the Log Files for SQL Server? Here is the script, plus why you should shrink only log files and never data files.
SQL SERVER – FIX: Msg 15281 – SQL Server Blocked Access to STATEMENT ‘OpenRowset/OpenDatasource’ of Component ‘Ad Hoc Distributed Queries’
Reading Excel, a reader got Msg 15281: SQL Server blocked access to STATEMENT ‘OpenRowset/OpenDatasource’. Enabling Ad Hoc Distributed Queries fixes it.
SQL SERVER – Installation Stuck at Offline Installation of Microsoft Machine Learning Server Components
My SQL Server 2017 install got stuck at Offline Installation of Microsoft Machine Learning Server Components. Here is why it happens and how to move forward.
SQL SERVER – SETUP Error: The Syntax of Argument “/ACTION” is Incorrect
Uninstalling SQL Server from the command line, I got: The syntax of argument “/ACTION” is incorrect. Here is what the error means and how to fix the command.
SQL SERVER – Unable to Uninstall – Index was Outside the Bounds of the Array
My machine crashed mid-install, and uninstalling SQL Server 2017 then failed with: Index was outside the bounds of the array. This is how I cleaned it up.
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.
Want your whole team to learn it?
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.

