Very frequently I start and stop default istance of Sql Server, to deploy new stuff on the server or on my local machine.
I created two batch files on my desktop to speed up this operation.

First of all we test if the command line script run correctly or not.

Click Start -> Run -> type "cmd" to start command prompt.


Start SqlServer Default Istance

Type "net start mssqlserver" and press Enter.



Stop SqlServer Default Istance

Type "net stop mssqlserver" and press Enter.




If two commands run correctly, we can go on to create the batch files.

p.s. If you use Windows Vista, you must launch the commands with administrator privileges.


Create the shortcuts

Right click on desktop and select New -> Text Document.
Rename the file with "start sqlserver.bat"
Put the command "net start mssqlserver" in the file and save.

Right click on desktop and select New -> Text Document.
Rename the file with "stop sqlserver.bat"
Put the command "net stop mssqlserver" in the file and save.

If you use Windows Vista, right click and select "Run as administrator".

In these days, I wrote a document to explain how to install Windows Server 2008 on VmWare 6.0.
I don't explain the new features of Windows Server 2008, but I say how to configure VmWare 6.0 to work with Windows Server 2008.
The guide is very simple and it contains some screenshots.
I upload two files: a pdf file and a xps file.
Choose your favourite format.

How to Install Server 2008.pdf (1.72 mb)

How to Install Server 2008.xps (4.54 mb)

The easiest way to determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed on your Pc or on your Server is to navigate the %systemroot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework folder.
You can paste the listed address for the Framework folder into a Windows Explorer address bar to navigate to the Framework folder. The three released versions of the .NET Framework are contained in the following folders:

•	v1.0.3705
•	v1.1.4322
•	v2.0.50727

To determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed on a computer, follow these steps:

1.	Open any one of the folders in the previous list, and then locate the Mscorlib.dll file.
2.	Right-click the file, and then click Properties.
3.	Click the Version tab, and then note the file version.
4.	Use the previous list to determine which version of the .NET Framework is installed on the computer, and then click OK.

Repeat these steps for each version of the .NET Framework on the computer.

Sometimes, when you work all day without restar your pc, it appears much slowly.
The only solution is a reboot of your system, but we have never time for this!!!
To remedy this problem simply create a shortcut on your desktop with this settings.

1.  Create a new shortcut on your desktop (Righ click -> New -> Shortcut)
2. Insert this string %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks in the textbox
3. Insert the name of shortcut, like "Clear memory" and click Ok
4. Test the shortcut

Simply, fast but usefull.

 

Sometimes, after the Windows Update a annoying message popup appears every a few minutes.

1. Click Start -> Run
2. Enter “gpedit.msc”
3. Go to Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update
4. Double-click on “No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Update installation”
5. Set to “Enabled”
6. Reboot the computer

 

Disable_restart_with_scheduled_installations.gif (50.28 kb)

1. Click Start -> Run
2. Enter “regedit.exe”
3. Search HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
4. Create a DWORD called NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers 
5. Set to 1
6. Reboot the computer