I used a 2016 CTP2 client to manage a CTP3 server, once I upgraded the client all was well! I spent a little time checking what had changed and it...

The field that you are COUNT()'ing, is there a possibility it contains NULLs?

I would suggest backup to disk for these two reasons:

1. Backup time faster

2. Restore time faster

You can replicate these backupps to tape outside of the SQL Backup process and store...

You have answered your own question really, you have only 1 GB unallocated so this is all you can reduce the size by.

Did you restart the instance?

This is allowed. The restriction is you are not allowed to use the development server to serve data to production applications / clients. Loading data from live to development is...

Just when you want dynamic columns. I dont see why Microsoft cant further develop PIVOT to remove the need to use dynamic SQL in this situation. :discuss:

Generally speaking a shrink of the database should not be performed under usual circumstances for this reason. Find the route cause and go from there vs a shrink of the...

As I already posted. Did you follow the renaming process as per the documentation from Microsoft:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178083.aspx

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/programming-and-development/code-concepts-database-normalization-and-de-normalization/1997

Generally the advantage of a denormalised table (or flat table as you call it) is read speed as you are not joining to other tables. Normalisation is for...

Try RESTORE WITH STANDBY?

Renaming the virtual server name is no problem:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178083.aspx

As for renaming the instance name itself, this is not possible as far as I can see, or it is by...

Does the same thing but isn't support by Microsoft

No it does it straight to the destination path.

Get out there and work / work it girls!