Viewing Logs

Microsoft SQL Server logs events in two locations:

• The SQL Server error log, which can be viewed by using SQL Enterprise Manager or any text editor. When SQL Server is configured to use its error log, each SQL Server session creates a new log, and SQL Server retains the last six logs created. For more information, see Viewing the SQL Server Error Log.
• The Windows NT application log, which is a special file that can be viewed only by using the Windows NT Event Viewer. When SQL Server is configured to use the Windows NT application log, each SQL Server session writes new events to that log. (Unlike the SQL Server error log, a new application log is not created each time you start SQL Server.) For more information, see Viewing the Windows NT Application Log.

Both logs record similar information; however, the SQL Server error log contains only SQL Server messages, and the Windows NT event log contains messages for all activities on the computer. Both logs automatically time-stamp all events recorded.

By default, setup configures the server to use both logs. You can use SQL Enterprise manager to control whether SQL Server uses either or both of the logs. For more information, see the SQL Enterprise Manager online Help or the Microsoft SQL Server Administrator's Companion.

Note SQL Executive also writes events to the Windows NT application log and to a Task History that can be displayed using SQL Enterprise Manager. For more information on viewing the task history, see the SQL Enterprise Manager online Help or the Microsoft SQL Server Administrator's Companion.

For more information, choose one of the following topics:

Viewing the SQL Server Error Log

Viewing the Windows NT Application Log