A collation conflict means character expressions use incompatible comparison rules. I choose the intended rules before applying COLLATE.
SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : An error has occurred while establishing a connect to the server. Solution with Images.
An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server, also known as Error 40, is the top error searched on my blog. Here is the fix in screenshots.
SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : Msg 9514 Xml data type is not supported in distributed queries. Remote object ‘OPENROWSET’ has xml column(s)
Msg 9514 means a distributed query touched an XML column. Why the type cannot cross a linked server, and four ways to get the data across anyway.
SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : Error 15401: Windows NT user or group ‘username’ not found. Check the name again.
Error 15401: Windows NT user or group not found. Books Online already covers every cause well, so this post bookmarks the Microsoft guide to troubleshoot it.
SQL Agent Alerts Every Instance Should Have
SQL Agent alerts should route serious severity events and errors 823, 824, and 825 through tested operators and Database Mail.
SQL SERVER – Fix : Error : Server: Msg 544, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table
Msg 544, cannot insert explicit value for identity column, happens when IDENTITY_INSERT is OFF. Turn it ON, insert your rows, then turn it OFF again.
Replacing @@ERROR Checks With TRY CATCH in Old Procedures
Replace fragile @@ERROR checks with TRY CATCH, transaction state checks, and THROW while preserving clear failure information for callers.