[update: SQL2005 versions more info here]

To find out what version of SQL Server your running, do this: From the command prompt on the SQL Server itself,

osql -E -S %computername%

This will give you a SQL prompt, at which you do the following:

1>exec master..xp_msver 'ProductName'
2>exec master..xp_msver 'ProductVersion'
3>go

This gives you two bits of information, (1) the Product Name & (2) the Product Version - which requires some interpretation, note them both. But first, at the SQL prompt, type quit.

1>quit

The table below will help determine exactly what SQL Server is running.

Version	Product
2005.90.1399	SQL Server 2005 RTM
2005.90.2047	SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1
2005.90.3042	SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2
8.00.194	SQL Server 2000 RTM
8.00.384	SQL Server 2000 SP1
8.00.532	SQL Server 2000 SP2
8.00.760	SQL Server 2000 SP3
8.00.760	SQL Server 2000 SP3a *note below
8.00.818	SQL Server 2000 SP3 w/ Cumulative Patch MS03-031
8.00.2039	SQL Server 2000 SP4
7.00.1063	SQL Server 7.0 Service Pack 4 (SP4)
7.00.961	SQL Server 7.0 Service Pack 3 (SP3)
7.00.842	SQL Server 7.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
7.00.699	SQL Server 7.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
7.00.623	SQL Server 7.0 RTM (Release To Manufacturing)
6.50.479	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 5a (SP5a) Update
6.50.416	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 5a (SP5a)
6.50.415	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 5 (SP5)
6.50.281	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 4 (SP4)
6.50.258	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 3 (SP3)
6.50.240	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
6.50.213	SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
6.50.201	SQL Server 6.5 RTM

You will notice that there is SQL Server 2000 SP3 and SP3a both have the same version number. Some software providers require at least SP3a (i.e. some MYOB products). So how does one tell the difference between the two?

By finding the file SSNETLIB.DLL and right clicking it, and checking the version number. If the version number of this file is 2000.80.760.0, you have SQL Server 2000 SP3. If the version number of this file is 2000.80.766.0, you have SQL Server 2000 SP3a.

This file is normally found in one of these two locations:

• Default instance: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Binn\Ssnetlib.dll
• Named instance: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQLServer\MSSQL$<InstanceName>\Binn\Ssnetlib.dll

Of course, Microsoft have more to say and you can find it at: www.support.microsoft.com/kb/321185