After a client changed the SQL Server certificate, the service would not start: Error 26014, unable to load User Specified Certificate. Here is how we fixed it.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL Server – Understanding Connection Timeouts and Query Timeouts
Understanding connection timeouts and query timeouts in SQL Server: how they differ, why they get confused, and where to look when one hits.
SQL SERVER – Error – Attempted to Perform an Unauthorized Operation
A reader’s SQL Server 2016 setup log showed ‘Attempted to perform an unauthorized operation’ during local discovery. Here is what caused it and the fix.
SQL SERVER – Msg 3047, Level 16, State 1: The BackupDirectory Registry Key is Not Configured Correctly
A backup without a full path suddenly failed with Msg 3047: the BackupDirectory registry key is not configured correctly. Here is why and how I fixed it.
SQL SERVER – Performance Benefit of Using SPARSE Columns?
What is the performance benefit of using SPARSE columns? From a SaaS consulting assignment, here are the considerations I shared with the developers.
SQL SERVER – Error: Property BackupDirectory is Not Available for Settings
Opening Restore in SSMS gave ‘Property BackupDirectory is not available for Settings’. I used a Profiler trace to find where it comes from and fixed it.
What is a Backup Timeline for Restore Process? – Interview Question of the Week #092
Question: What is a Backup Timeline for Restore Process?
Answer: One of the most popular interview question about Backup and Restore Database process.
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.
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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.

