To move the master database, change its startup parameters in SQL Server Configuration Manager, stop SQL Server, move the files and start it again. This post explains why ALTER DATABASE can’t move master, reads the current paths with T-SQL, and lists the steps and the permission check that stops most failed moves. It also says what to do when the instance won’t start afterwards.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Error: 8509 – Import of Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC) transaction failed: 0x8004d00e(XACT_E_NOTRANSACTION)
A client’s JDBC XA transactions failed with Error 8509: import of MS DTC transaction failed (XACT_E_NOTRANSACTION). Here is what we checked and how we fixed it.
Wait Stats Collection Script for Current SQL Server Versions
A wait stats collection script saves snapshots of sys.dm_os_wait_stats into a table, so you can compare two snapshots instead of reading totals since the last restart. This post builds the tables and a snapshot procedure, creates a small load, and reports the change with a category for each wait. It also covers idle waits, restarts and retention.
SQL SERVER – Get Wait Stats Related to Specific Session ID With sys.dm_exec_session_wait_stats
From SQL Server 2016, sys.dm_exec_session_wait_stats shows wait stats for a specific session ID. Here is how to use it, and why it fails on older versions.
What is the Biggest Limitation of ISDATE() Function? – Interview Question of the Week #137
Why does ISDATE(‘6666-04-30’) return 1 but ISDATE(‘1111-04-30’) return 0? Here are what I see as the two biggest limitations of the ISDATE() function.
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) – Unable to Connect to SSIS – The Specified Service Does Not Exist as an Installed Service
After installing SSMS 17.2, I was unable to connect to SSIS on my machine. The error said the specified service does not exist, which was misleading.
SCOM – Alert: SQL Server Cannot Authenticate Using Kerberos Because the Service Principal Name (SPN) is Missing, Misplaced, or Duplicated
SCOM warned that SQL Server cannot use Kerberos because the Service Principal Name (SPN) is missing. Here is how I checked and fixed the SPNs for a client.
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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.

