While preparing a security demo, I broke my SQL Server and it would not start: Unable to load user-specified certificate. Here is how I fixed error 26014.
How to Identify Process ID for SQL Server Services? – Interview Question of the Week #185
How do you find the Process ID for SQL Server services? One quick query on sys.dm_server_services returns the process id, status, last startup time and account.
SQL SERVER – ERROR: Failed to verify the Authenticode signature of FileName
SQL Server logged: Failed to verify the Authenticode signature of sqlservr.exe. Here is what the message means and why it can point to malware on the machine.
SQL SERVER – Scoped Firewall Rules Instead of Disabling the Firewall
A firewall rule should permit the required SQL Server or management connection narrowly. My original automation case needed remote access.
SQL SERVER – Database Mirroring Login Attempt Failed With Error: ‘Connection Handshake Failed. An OS Call Failed: (80090350)
Connection handshake failed with 0x80090350 on an availability group replica. What the code means, why it says mirroring, and what to check.
SQL SERVER – How to Turn On / Enable Instant File Initialization?
To Enable Instant File Initialization for data files, I check the Windows service identity and volume-maintenance privilege. Eligibility still matters.
SQL SERVER – T-SQL Script: How to Search for Multiple Values in ERRORLOG?
Need to find corruption or other errors in the ERRORLOG? Here is a T-SQL script I use to search for multiple values in the SQL Server ERRORLOG at once.