What about doing the update in batches? Put the database in Simple Recovery mode and then do the updates in batches of 1000 (or something like it) in a loop. Periodically, issue a CHECKPOINT within the loop to cause SQL Server to truncate the log. Afterwards, put the database back into Full Recovery mode and do a full backup.

-Mike

>Hi,
>
>I have to do an update statement changing the value in one field for 8,000,000 rows in a table. This always fills-up my transaction log - how can I do this without hitting the transaction log?
>
>Thanks.