Techie MS SQL Question

[OwlCreekObserver]

Ever since I installed Encore Pro and MyEncore a while back, the MS SQL Server boots up at startup and appears on the bar at the bottom of my screen. Since I don't like to have more things running in background than are absolutely necessary, I routinely exit that program on the spot. Both Encore Pro and MyEncore seem to run fine without it being active. Is there any reason why I can't remove it from my startup list?

[rust]

Both Encore Pro and MyEncore seem to run fine without it being active. Is there any reason why I can't remove it from my startup list?

The short answer is no, there's no harm in removing it from your start up folder.

The long version is what you are seeing when your OS starts is just the SQL Server manager. The SQL Server service is running and stays running even if you shut down the manager. It isn't saving you a lot to shut it down either.

If you really want to conserve some CPU cycles and memory, you need to stop SQL Server itself from starting up every time you start your OS. But then you'll have to start SQL Server any time you want to run Encore/MyEncore and stop it (if you want) when you're done.

[Guest]

Here's an old post that's pertinent.

In General If you are running "Microsoft SQL Desktop Server (MSDE) running with properly patched XP SP2, the firewall installed" I see no reason to stop the sql server when you are not using Encore. There are other programs that may be installed that could also install MSDE. If it makes you feel better than go ahead and stop the server using the manager Icon down by the clock. There are a few SQL friendly worms living on the internet so the two most important things to consider is if you are running MSDE are –
1.) FIREWALL! if you aren’t using a software based firewall drop a few bucks at your favorite electronics store on a Linksys or Netgear, SMC etc router/firewall devices.

2.) This may go over the less technical peoples head.. NEVER use a blank SA password. Make sure the SA password is not easily guessed.

GEEK ALERT FROM HERE DOWN

The main reason I advocate the firewall is that there are worms that are actively scanning the internet for machines “listening” for SQL traffic. Once they find one they start trying to guess the SA password so they can spread to your machine and use it to scan for more machines. With either a software or hardware firewall you are protected from this. Even if your SA password is hard to guess the unsuccessful attacks will slow your system down.
Here is a real example of what a computer with a secure SA password looks like when connected to the internet with no firewall. This is the output of the system command
Netstat –an This commands shows all of the active network connections, and what you see is “my” computer on the left 206.40.xxx.xxx Listening on port 1433 (MSSQL) and a computer in Asia -211.192.244.152 connected to “me” about 70 times. Through these connections that Asian computer is trying to guess my SA password. Not only does it eat up nbandwidth but it slows “my” computer down processing the login attempts.

TCP 206.40.XXX.XXX:1433 211.192.244.152:5015 TIME_WAIT
TCP 206.40.XXX.XXX:1433 211.192.244.152:5021 TIME_WAIT
TCP 206.40.XXX.XXX:1433 211.192.244.152:5046 TIME_WAIT
TCP 206.40.XXX.XXX:1433 211.192.244.152:5065 TIME_WAIT
<Snipped another 60 or so connections>
TCP 206.40.XXX.XXX:1433 211.192.244.152:5698 TIME_WAIT

[OwlCreekObserver]

Thanks for the info, folks. I figured it wasn't a big deal but wanted to hear it from somebody who knows what he/she is talking about.

I'm running a home router plus Norton's internet security stuff, and I always keep up to date with all the latest updates/patches, so I feel reasonably secure.

Thanks again!

OCO

[Snoredog]

you can remove it from Startup. MSDE chews up a large amount of memory and processing power. You can also uncheck the box from the Agent at the bottom.

Just drag the SQL Agent icon off the Startup menu on to your desktop then before you start up EncorePro, click on the Start button, once it turns to a Green arrow startup the EncorePro application.

You can also stop/start it via the Services panel.

[tomjax]

I ran the netstat -an and it flashed on my screen and scrolled very quickly and then exited.
Any way to take a look at it- that is to stop the fast scroll?

[Wulfman]

I ran the netstat -an and it flashed on my screen and scrolled very quickly and then exited.
Any way to take a look at it- that is to stop the fast scroll?

Tom,

Are you doing it in a "Command Prompt" window? I just did it in mine and could scroll through the data it displayed. You might have to adjust your window in the "Properties" of the Command Prompt in the "Options", "Font" and "Layout".

Den

[Wulfman]

OCO,

What I did with mine (a year ago), like Snoredog suggested, was to "Move" (drag) all of the things from the "Startup" out onto the Desktop (SQL Server and Service Manager) and made shortcuts to all of the programs related to the Encore Pro. In the morning, I put my card in the reader, start up my computer, click on the SQL Server, then the Service Manager, then the Infineer Reader Utility and then Encore Pro. When I'm done, I close them out in reverse order and then re-boot the computer...BEFORE I connect to the Internet.

Den

[jkeene]

I ran the netstat -an and it flashed on my screen and scrolled very quickly and then exited.
Any way to take a look at it- that is to stop the fast scroll?

Wulfman's suggestion to change the command prompt layout is good, I have my default command prompt setup to have 9999 lines in it, so I can scroll back quite a ways.

But to directly stop the fast scroll and exit, do this:

StartButton->Run...

In the dialog box enter "CMD" without quotes.

At the command prompt, do:

netstat -an | more

Press enter as need to scroll another page at a time.

[Wulfman]

What I was referring to earlier was (what I have done) to create a "Command Prompt" on the Desktop by going to "Start" / "Programs" / "Accessories" and drag the "Command Prompt" out to the desktop and either copy or make a shortcut there. Then you can right-click on the icon and customize it through the tabs I mentioned previously.

Den

[GumbyCT]

I use Zone Alarm and have it set to ask for most anything trying to access the internet. When SQL asks to - I just "Deny" it. Guess you could always set it to Deny so it doesn't even bother you.

Seems to be working.
GumbyCT