Why Does Sqlsrvr Run Constantly?

I assume when you say you installed VB 2008 you're talking about the Visual Studio Express addition, so my answer will lean toward that assumption. There is really only one main process that runs with the SQL Server Express edition installed and automatically run with VB: sqlserver.exe. If you accepted the default installation of SQL Server Express, then this service simply provides the basics of relational database management system including storage, processing and accesses to transactions within the database. Two other main processes, SQL Server Browser and SQL Server Active Directory Helper are also installed but don't typically run on a "standalone" computer. They require the installation of SQL Server on a server with Active Directory/DNS integration (for the former) and the latter is designed to host services in a client-server architecture using TCP/IP, VIA and other such protocols. Unless you are developing applications in VB that utilize a SQL Server database, you can navigate (on Windows XP) to Start -> All Programs -> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 -> Configuration Tools and choose SQL Server Configuration Manager. This opens a snap-in console where you can configure the service as you would like it. NOTE: Do not mistake the sqlwriter.exe process in the Task Manager as being one that hogs processor or paged memory resources. It only operates in the event of backups or restores on a SQL Server Database that use Volume Shadow Services.