Troubleshooting Overview
As a starting point to troubleshooting a problem in Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000, you may find the solution in one of the online troubleshooters from SQL Server Product Support Services (PSS). For more information, see Online Troubleshooters from PSS. In addition, review current error logs for information that may pinpoint the problem. Other current information about troubleshooting SQL Server 2000 can be found on the FAQs & Highlights for SQL Server page, available at Microsoft Web site.
Error Logs
The error log in SQL Server 2000 provides complete information about events in SQL Server. You may also want to view the Microsoft Windows® 2000 or Windows NT® 4.0 application log, which provides an overall picture of events that occur on the Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 operating systems, as well as events in SQL Server and SQL Server Agent. Both logs include informational messages (such as startup data), and both record the date and time of all events automatically.
SQL Server events are logged according to the way you start SQL Server.
- When SQL Server is started as a service under the Windows 2000 or Windows NT 4.0 operating system, events are logged to the SQL Server error log, to the Windows 2000 or Windows NT application log, or to both logs.
- When SQL Server is started from the command prompt, events are logged to the SQL Server error log and to standard output (typically the monitor, unless output has been redirected elsewhere).
For information about how to view the logs, see Viewing Error Logs.
Backward Compatibility Issues
If you encounter a problem regarding compatibility between SQL Server 2000 and earlier versions of SQL Server, see SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server version 7.0 and SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server version 6.5. For information about a detailed list of feature changes between SQL Server 6.5 and SQL Server 2000, see SQL Server Backward Compatibility Details.
Additional Resources
For access to the Microsoft Knowledge Base and other current information, a subscription to Microsoft TechNet or MSDN® can be helpful. For more information, see:
- The Microsoft TechNet page at Microsoft Web site.
- The MSDN page at Microsoft Web site.
Viewing Web-Based Information
Numerous links to Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) Web pages are provided in the Troubleshooting topics. Links to the new online troubleshooters, as well as pertinent Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and white papers, are also available. Every effort has been made to ensure the Web links are correct and will remain stable over time. However, if a link does not work, go to the MSDN Online Support Web page at Microsoft Web site, and navigate to the correct location.