You can also shutdown SQL Server without having to shell out to the Operating System and using "NET STOP".

In T-SQL just the command "shutdown" will accomplish this.

I believe that this message is pefectly normal and nothing to be worried about (like a lot of the messages that appear in the SQL Server log, it is for...

How about DbDiff:-

http://dbdiff.codeplex.com/

You may already know this, in which case please excuse the lesson in egg sucking.

With an index prone to fragmentation, you may also like to review the settings for Fill...

You're welcome Juanita, glad to hear that things are behaving themselves for you now.

Not sure what has happened there, but yes the SQL server Configuration manager should set relevant permissions for the account nominated to run the service.

Here is a link explaining what...

You could do worse than to look at this one:-

http://www.idera.com/Products/SQL-Server/SQL-compliance-manager/

Thank you again for that, more interesting reading.

I think I'm now some way towards filling in the missing piece of the puzzle, I'll describe here in case anyone else hits...

Thanks for those links Dan.

Although they make for very useful reading for my upgrade, there is nothing specifically in them about NLB.

The SQLCAT team ran their test with a single...

I believe that this error was caused by a lack of disk space.

It appears that 2008 SP1 does like quite a lot of free space to install itself, but it...

It would appear that the book is incorrect.

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/sqlsetupandupgrade/thread/fa723b21-ef90-4109-bb53-b48cc000a821/

I am attempting to upgrade to 2008 now so I will confirm this for myself.

Developer Edition gives you all the features found within Enterprise Edition (i.e. everything SQL Server has to offer).

However, if using the SQL Server for production work then you can't use...

Indeed, you could install a default instance of 2005 DEV now, then a named instance of 2005 Standard later, and then even a named instance of 2005 Enterprise after that...

If you are just carrying out development \ testing work, why not buy a copy of Developer Edition?

You will have access to all of the features of Enterprise Edition for...

I've installed a good few SSRS systems, and always opted for a default instance.

Not hit any snags (yet) with doing that.

Would be interested if anyone does have a good reason...