How to enable xp_cmdshell in SQL Server 2008?

Problem:

SQL Server blocked access to procedure 'sys.xp_cmdshell' of component 'xp_cmdshell' because this component is turned off as part of the security configuration for this server. A system administrator can enable the use of 'xp_cmdshell' by using sp_configure. For more information about enabling 'xp_cmdshell', see "Surface Area Configuration" in SQL Server Books Online.

Cause:
The xp_cmdshell option is a server configuration option that enables system administrators to control whether the xp_cmdshell extended stored procedure can be executed on a system.

Solution:

- To allow advanced options to be changed.
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1
GO


- To update the currently configured value for advanced options.
RECONFIGURE
GO


- To enable the feature.
EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1
GO


- To update the currently configured value for this feature.
RECONFIGURE
GO


Reference: Zubair Ahmed
http://mssql-tech.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-enable-xpcmdshell-in-sql-server.html

Other References:

Check out the below links for more details on this topic.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190693.aspx
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/brian_kelley/archive/2009/11/13/why-we-recommend-against-xp-cmdshell.aspx

How to attach SQL 2000 database (MDF) without a LDF file?

Repairing DB In Emergency Mode (By-Pass Recovery Mode)

Problem(s):

How to attach the MDF file using query analyzer?

How to bring database back on operation when the LDF file is damaged?

How to By-Pass Recovery Mode and bring the database online back through ‘Emergency Mode’?

Solution:

If  we need to ignore the current LDF file and if the database is not detached properly and if you do not have the backup, follow the below steps to bring up your database. In the below step-7 is a undocumented DBCC command.

1. Create a new database with the same name and same MDF and LDF files
2. Stop sql server and rename the existing MDF to a new one and copy the original MDF to this location and delete the LDF files.
3. Start SQL Server.
4. Now your database will be marked suspect.

Update the sysdatabases to update to Emergency mode. This will not use LOG files in start up.

sp_configure 'allow updates',1
go
Reconfigure with override
GO
Update sysdatabases set status = 32768 where dbid=DB_ID('DB_NAME')
go
Sp_configure "allow updates", 0
go
Reconfigure with override
GO

- Restart sql server. Now the database will be in Emergency mode

- Now execute the undocumented DBCC to create a log file.

dbcc rebuild_log('DB_NAME','G:\SQL_Server_DBs\MSSQL$BDC_BRS003\Data\User Databases\DB_NAME_log.ldf')
go
dbcc checkdb('DB_NAME') -- to check for errors
go

• Now run the below command.
Execute sp_resetstatus DB_NAME

• Restart SQL server and see the database is online.
 
URL: http://mssql-tech.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-attach-sql-2000-database-mdf.html


Other References:

http://oldlight.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/hello-world/ http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.sqlserver.server/browse_frm/thread/289d7bb97da73312?hl=en&lr&ie=UTF-8&rnum=1&prev=/groups?sourceid%3Dnavclient%26q%3Djasper%2Bsmith%2Battach%2Blog&pli=1 http://www.sqlmonster.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/sql-server/13235/suspect-database-is-sql-2000 http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=78376 http://solution-mdf-file-corruption.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-repair-mdf-files-not-detached.html

How to check the version and service pack details in SQL Server?

We may use the below script to get the version details.

select @@version

Check out http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321185 for more details.

Reference: Zubair Ahmed (http://mssql-tech.blogspot.com/)

How to get product key details in SQL Server 2008 R2?

We may use the below script to extract product key details in SQL Server 2008 R2

USE master
GO
EXEC xp_regread 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE','SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\100\BIDS\Setup','ProductID'
GO

Reference: Zubair Ahmed (http://mssql-tech.blogspot.com/)

How to enable the sa login in SQL Server 2008 R2?

If you don't see the 'sa' account in SQL server 2008 under security node even you have already enabled ' SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode' then Just follow the steps below to enable 'sa' login in SQL Server 2008 R2.

Method 1 - Enable the sa login by using Transact-SQL:

ALTER LOGIN sa ENABLE ;
GO
ALTER LOGIN sa WITH PASSWORD = '<enterStrongPasswordHere>' ;
GO

 

Method 2 - Enable the sa login by using Management Studio:

1. In Object Explorer, expand Security, expand Logins, right-click sa, and then click Properties.
2. On the General page, you might have to create and confirm a password for the sa login.
3. On the Status page, in the Login section, click Enabled, and then click OK.

Check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188670.aspx for more details.

Reference: Zubair Ahmed (http://mssql-tech.blogspot.com/)