How to get SQL performance counters? (SQL Express)

Question

Hi,
What possibilities I do have to get performance counters installed when having SQL Express (2014) on Windows server 2016? Earlier we I had W2012R2 there were no troubles.

I'm not having the file: perf-MSSQLSERVERsqlctr.ini, so lodctr seems to be not an option.

Answer 1

Hi @Petri X ,
Does your SQL Server 2014 use 32-bit or 64-bit instance?
If using SQL Server 2014 32-bit, you can find perf-MSSQLSERVERsqlctr.ini in Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn for default instance. For named instance, pref-MSSQL$instancenamesqlstr.dll is located at Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.instancename\MSSQL\Binn.
If using SQL Server 2014 64-bit, you can find perf-MSSQLSERVERsqlctr.ini in Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn for default instance. For named instance, pref-MSSQL$instancenamesqlstr.dll is located at Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.instancename\MSSQL\Binn.
If you still cannot find it, please try to launch the SQL Server Setup program (setup.exe) from SQL Server installation media-> click Maintenance in the left-hand navigation area-> Repair to start the repair operation. Please refer to this doc which might help.

In addition, to add Performance Counters back for SQL Server, please refer to this article which might help.

Best Regards,
Amelia

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Answer 2

Hi,
Unfortunately, as I told, I do not have the file on my server:

C:\>dir /s perf-MSSQLSERVERs*.*  
 Volume in drive C is System  
 Volume Serial Number is 1234x-ABCD  
File Not Found  
  
C:\>  
  
  

I tested the "Repair" as well with using the option:

But that still not bring any changes. And I had actually even some doubts to that, as I have 26 of these boxes, and none of them have those. I though if this could be because of the SQLExpress2014 and W2016 combination.

Answer 3

Hi @Petri X ,
Thanks for your reply.
Could you please share us the result of “SELECT @@VERSION”?

I though if this could be because of the SQLExpress2014 and W2016 combination.

Actually, my SQL Server 2014 Express instance on Windows server 2016 have the perf-MSSQLSERVERsqlctr.ini.

If your SQL Server 2014 instance is default instance and 64 bit, please try to copy the perf-MSSQLSERVERsqlctr.ini from another machine which has it and is working fine to Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn.

Best Regards,
Amelia