To view the Windows NT application logWhen Microsoft® SQL Server™ is configured to use the Microsoft Windows NT® application log, each SQL Server session writes new events to that log. The Windows NT application log is a special file that can be viewed and managed only by using Windows NT Event Viewer. Unlike the SQL Server error log, a new application log is not created each time you start the computer running SQL Server.
There are three logs used by Windows NT that can be viewed with the Windows NT Event Viewer.
| Windows NT log type | Description |
|---|---|
| System log | Records events logged by the Windows NT system components. For example, the failure of a driver or other system component to load during startup is recorded in the system log. |
| Security log | Records security events, such as failed login attempts. This helps track changes to the security system and identify possible breaches to security. For example, attempts to log on to the system may be recorded in the security log, depending on the audit settings in the User Manager.
Only members of the sysadmin fixed server role can view the security log. |
| Application log | Records events that are logged by applications. For example, a database application might record a file error in the application log. |
For more information about using Windows NT Event Viewer, managing the application log, and understanding the information it presents, see the online Help for Windows NT Event Viewer, or see your Windows NT documentation.
To view the Windows NT application log
