good way to identify when was sql server installed?

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good way to identify when was sql server installed?

curious_sqldba

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August 13, 2012 at 1:01 pm

#279668

I am using below query to identify when was sql server installed.
SELECT create_date as 'SQL Server Install Date'
FROM sys.server_principals WHERE name='NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM'
However when i check the create_Date for master database it doesnt match the install date? I am sure master db wasn't re-installed? Any thoughts and what would be ideal way to identify when was sql server installed?

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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Joy Smith San SSC-Insane Points: 24877 More actions · Answer 1

Is create data for Master DB is older than the Server date ?

curious_sqldba SSC-Dedicated Points: 36494 More actions · Answer 2

Joy Smith San (8/16/2012)
Is create data for Master DB is older than the Server date ?

Yes Masterdb create date is Older than server date..why????

durai nagarajan SSCoach Points: 15778 More actions · Answer 3

one of our server is 4/8/2003 9:13:36 AM but sql 2005 not released in 2003 , may be this is master db for 2005 build date.

Regards
Durai Nagarajan

Scott D. Jacobson SSCertifiable Points: 6149 More actions · Answer 4

This? http://www.sqlservercentral.com/scripts/Miscellaneous/67724/[/url]

durai nagarajan SSCoach Points: 15778 More actions · Answer 5

Scott,

it is giving '2011-09-24 00:00:00.000' still not correct, we have installed it on august/september 2007 after that no re install /rebuild.

Regards
Durai Nagarajan

Scott D. Jacobson SSCertifiable Points: 6149 More actions · Answer 6

If you know when it was installed why would you need to query to find out that which you already know?

Joy Smith San SSC-Insane Points: 24877 More actions · Answer 7

I think it's the build date.

Scott D. Jacobson (8/16/2012)
If you know when it was installed why would you need to query to find out that which you already know?

That doesn't make sense. What's wrong in learning some new commands even if you already know what the result would be ? What if his manager ask him to get those details from another server which he's not aware of ?

durai nagarajan SSCoach Points: 15778 More actions · Answer 8

Thanks joy,

just a doubt will the service packs changing the build dates?

Regards
Durai Nagarajan

Scott D. Jacobson SSCertifiable Points: 6149 More actions · Answer 9

Joy Smith San (8/16/2012)
I think it's the build date.
Scott D. Jacobson (8/16/2012)
If you know when it was installed why would you need to query to find out that which you already know?
That doesn't make sense. What's wrong in learning some new commands even if you already know what the result would be ? What if his manager ask him to get those details from another server which he's not aware of ?

OK, that's fair. I guess the original question didn't come off that way. Maybe I misunderstood.

Michael Valentine Jones SSC Guru Points: 64818 More actions · Answer 10

Each instance of SQL Server has an install log directory where the initial install and upgrades are logged

For SQL 2008 on my computer it is:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Setup Bootstrap\Log

From SQL 2005 Books Online

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143702(v=sql.90).aspx