>>>I've just started using SQL Server. How do I determine which version of SQL Server, which service pack(s) have been applied and if there any outstanding patches that need to be applied. Windows Update doesn't indicate if any patches are needed for SQL Server.
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SELECT
>>	SERVERPROPERTY ('Edition'),	
>>	SERVERPROPERTY ('EngineEdition'),	
>>	SERVERPROPERTY ('ProductVersion'),
>>	SERVERPROPERTY ('ProductLevel')
>>

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>I now know I am running SQL Server 2000 version 8.00.194. How do I determine the service pack level and if there are any outstanding patches to be applied?

The SERVERPROPERTY ('ProductLevel') returns the name of latest service pack installed. If it returns empty string than you've original installation w/o service packs. The lates service pack for SQl Server is SP4.