I run my development server by boot to VHD (Windows Server 2008 R2 x64). In that instance, I also have an attached VHD (I attach via script at boot up time using Task Scheduler). That VHD I have my SQL instances installed. So, the other day, acting hasty, I chmod my ACLS – wow, what a day...
There have been many times that I’ve been handed a SQL instance that doesn’t allow me to do much with it even though the IT Admin for the machine have indicated they’ve done the install and your AD account is part of the Local Admin group. By default, in SQL 2008 local admin’s are not part of the sysadmin...