How to Import and Export Unstructured Data in SQL Server – The IMAGE Datatype

In this article, we will be discussing about, how to import and export unstructured data in SQL Server, using the IMAGE datatype.   Introduction Importing and exporting unstructured data from a database is a common practice, especially in large applications. SQL Server 2008 introduced the FILESTREAM feature that allows storing unstructured data (i.e. music, video, documents, … Read more…

There was an unexpected failure during the setup wizard

In this article, we will be discussing how to resolve the following SQL Server error: “There was an unexpected failure during the setup wizard”.   When you might get this error OK folks, this is a little bit “tricky” issue. The scenario is the following: You are trying to install SQL Server 2005, then you … Read more…

Product Review: SQL Search – Searching for SQL Text Within SQL Server DB Objects

Some time ago Red Gate released SQL Search, a SSMS add-in that allows the user to search for fragments of text within database objects in a SQL Server instance! Yes, I know, this is cool! 🙂 There are many scenarios where the tool can come in handy. For example, imagine trying to perform a modification … Read more…

Saving Maintenance Plan Failed (How to Resolve)

If you encounter the error message “Saving maintenance plan failed” when trying to save a maintenance plan you created using the the wizard in SQL Server 2005 Management Studio (SSMS), the first (obvious) thing you should try, is to check if the latest service pack is installed and if it is not then install it! … Read more…

Windows Internal Database (SSEE)

In this article, we will be discussing about the Windows Internal Database (SSEE), what it is and how you can access it via SQL Server Management Studio.   About the Windows Internal Database The Windows Internal Database is a special variant of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express. It is included with Windows Server 2008, Windows … Read more…

Installing 32-bit SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services on a 64-bit machine/Windows OS

Is it possible to install 32-bit SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services on a 64-bit Computer/Windows OS while keeping the 64-bit version of the rest of SQL Server features? The answer is yes!   The Scenario about Installing 32-bit SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services on a 64-bit machine/Windows OS Well, here’s the story: I recently installed … Read more…

Sample Databases for SQL Server

DBAs and Database Developers always need to test new database-related work before migrating it to Production Environments. To this end, Test/Development Environments are usually set up in order to allow for testing new administration and programmability features of DBMSs (in our case SQL Server 🙂 Though, by only having such an environment set up is … Read more…

SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration Tool

This article, discusses about the SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration Tool.   What is SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration Tool? An important security improvement in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is that various of its features that could be potentially susceptible to security risks are turned off by default. One of these features is … Read more…

About SQL Server 2005 Service Packs

Last night I installed Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2. Though, during the configuration process of BizTalk, I was prompt that SQL Server 2005 Service Packs were not detected. At that time I though to myself; how do I find if any, and which Service Pack is installed for SQL Server? By reading the Microsoft Help … Read more…