A random password procedure for SQL Server should use CRYPT_GEN_RANDOM, skip lookalike characters and guarantee every kind of character. This post builds one with a length and character switches, then tests 1,000 passwords. It also covers errors and safe handling.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Decoding wait_resource: From a KEY or PAGE Lock to the Table
Decode wait_resource for blocked requests, map KEY and PAGE locks to objects, and keep undocumented row-hash checks on test copies.
SELECT COUNT Without FROM Returns 1, Not an Error
A SELECT COUNT without FROM does not fail in T-SQL. It returns 1, because the table name after COUNT(*) becomes a column alias. This post shows the typo, the other silent mistakes that work the same way, and the habits that make them fail loudly.
What is Lock Pages In Memory? – Interview Question of the Week #186
What is Lock Pages in Memory? It keeps data in physical RAM instead of paging it to disk, and here is the gotcha and how to enable it step by step.
Recording Who Granted What With a Database Audit Specification
Current permissions never say who changed them. Set up a small audit, run a grant, a revoke and a failed attempt, and read the events back.
SQL SERVER – WMI Error 0x80041017 – Invalid Query Using WBEMTest
Helping on a forum, I asked a user to test WMI with WBEMTest and it returned error 0x80041017, Invalid query. Here are the test steps and how to fix the error.
SQL SERVER – Install Error – The Reporting Services Catalog Database File Exists. Select a Reporting Services files-only mode installation
A remote command-line install of SQL Server failed with: The Reporting Services catalog database file exists. Here is how I helped my client fix it.
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