Could not redo log record in master, error 3456, and SQL Server would not start. How we rebuilt and recovered, and the backup that makes it simple.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – How to Install SSMS From Command Line? Error: The Specified Value for Setting ‘MEDIALAYOUT’ is Invalid.
How to install SSMS from command line? A client’s silent install failed: the specified value for setting MEDIALAYOUT is invalid. Here is the fix.
SQL SERVER – xp_logininfo – Msg 15404: Could not obtain information about Windows NT group/user, error code 0x2147
xp_logininfo failed with Msg 15404 for some users, yet worked for the same user in another domain. Here is what to check to find the difference.
How to Insert Results of Stored Procedure into a Temporary Table? – Interview Question of the Week #124
How to insert results of stored procedure into a temporary table without creating the table first? Here is a simple script that shows the steps.
SQL SERVER – Unable to Change “Shared Feature Directory” Under Feature Selection
SQL Server 2014 setup would not let a reader change the Shared Feature Directory: the textbox and browse button were greyed out. The cause and the fix.
SQL SERVER – Observation – Adding a NULL Column and Table Space
Does adding a NULL Column with no default make a table bigger? Usually not. A reader’s question and a practical example that measures it.
SQL SERVER – Simple Query to List Size of the Table with Row Counts
A simple query I run at customer sites to list every table with its size in MB and Row Counts, including used and unused space.
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.

