If you've upgraded any other software before you are about to install SQL Server 2005, please be aware of the following from Microsoft:
Article ID: 978026 - Last Review: November 25, 2009 - Revision: 1.0
Some drivers no longer function after you install SQL Server 2005
Consider the following scenario:
You install an update for third-party software. For example, you install an update for a third-party printer driver.
You install Microsoft SQL Server 2005 on the same computer after you install the update.
After you complete both installations, you restart the computer.
In this scenario, the third-party software no longer functions correctly.
CAUSE
This problem occurs because the SQL Server 2005 Setup program deletes some files that are installed by the update. This problem occurs when you do not restart the computer between the update installation and the SQL Server 2005 installation.
If you’re currently working as a DBA you’ll know that from time to time problems arise that are not purely inside SQL Server and you have to look to the operating system to find the root.
As SQL Server specialists, we don’t always have a great deal of knowledge of the OS, hardware or networks, just as a sysadmin generally won’t be an expert on databases.
Well, there’s a bunch of guys out there who do know about the operating system underneath SQL Server and have real world experience of the problems a DBA is likely to encounter. They’ve combined their knowledge to write this book and Wrox will be releasing it to Amazon on the 13th January – and I bet it’s going to be popular.
Written to help you troubleshoot your problems and give you advice, the book shows you how to diagnose problems and successfully resolve them.
Ok, so why am I so excited about adding this to my Amazon Wish List? Well over the weekend I was at the SQLBits conference in Newport, Wales and sat in on presentations by three of the five authors. If their presentations are anything to go by, this book is going to be permanently on my desk!
I was lucky enough to see two of Christian Bolton’s talks, one on troubleshooting memory problems, the other on the role statistics play in query optimization. Christian is a Microsoft MVP and Technical Director at Coeo (http://coeo.com), specialist SQL Server consultants.
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Brent Ozar as he’s the SQL Server expert for Quest Software. Like Christian, he’s an MVP and he’s also Editor-in-Chief for SQLServerPedia.
I have to give James Rowland-Jones a lot of credit for his presentation on Optimistic Concurrency Internals. On the final day of the conference and the last session of the day at 4pm, he kept it interesting and delivered humor and enthusiasm. I think everyone had a pretty full brain after a couple of days of intense technical training, not to mention plenty of food, beers and some early starts! James is also an MVP so it really was an all-star line-up.
This was my first SQLBits and I was amazed at the high standard of all the presenters I watched. Thanks to Christian, Brent and James for sharing your knowledge and tempting me to buy your book!
To pre-order your copy, visit Amazon with the ISBN number 978-0-470-48428-9.
Microsoft have discovered a number of problems arising from using linked server queries in SQL Server 2005 and 2008 which could result in memory leaks.
If you're already using SQL Server 2008, or perhaps considering an upgrade, you may be interested to know that the first Service Pack is now available in the CTP release version.
Yesterday Microsoft proudly announced the availability of SQL Server 2008 CTP for download. This new version promises "a significant leap in features, functionality, and improvements".
In total there are 18 significant improvements to the product as a whole, including areas such as Analysis Services and Reporting Services. And not to mention new T-SQL IntelliSense, backup compression and geospatial features.
This is one exciting launch for Microsoft and represents an equally exciting future for DBAs and developers alike.
You can download your 180-day version from the Microsoft web site and a SQL Server Express version is available there too. You can choose from two file formats - a self-extracting executable or a DVD image.
If you intend to use SQL Server 2008 with Visual Studio 2005 SP1 or Team Studio SP1 then you'll need to download a support file, but this is only 4.6MB.
Welcome to the SQL Server Club blogs. I'm Rachel Clements, Technical Editor at SQL Server Club and Organiser for the SQL Server Club User Group South West. Please contact me if you have any questions.
