A friend could not delete, truncate or drop a table at 11 PM because of open transactions. Here is my quick and dirty way to identify blocking query.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Error : Fix : Msg 5133, Level 16, State 1, Line 2 Directory lookup for the file failed with the operating system error 2(The system cannot find the file specified.)
Msg 5133 says directory lookup for the file failed with operating system error 2. A friend hit it on CREATE DATABASE, and here is what caused it.
SQL SERVER – Find Total Number of Transactions on Interval
How many Transactions run on your server per minute? A handy script reads sys.dm_os_performance_counters twice with a WAITFOR DELAY between the reads.
SQL SERVER – The Limitations of the Views – Eleven and more…
I had earlier written, interesting article series on the limitations of the views. I had a great time writing this series. I got many many requests.
NO_PERFORMANCE_SPOOL: Compare the Work Before Keeping the Hint
NO_PERFORMANCE_SPOOL changes one query optimization decision. A guarded private fixture compares baseline work, the optional hint and a supporting inner index. The article explains how to preserve results and assess actual child work without promising a plan shape.
SQL SERVER – Get Query Running in Session
I forgot the simple syntax to get query running in session and ended up on my own old post. Here is the one method I use most during performance tuning.
What a Cumulative Update Actually Contains
Understand a SQL Server cumulative update, identify your build and servicing branch, and read fixes and known issues before planning a patch.
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.
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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.
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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.

