When you connect to SQL Server instance using SQL Query Analyser there is 
"Start SQL Server if it is stopped" option. Is it possible to remotely 
start stopped SQL Server instance from my custom application? How?

You can use DMO, SMO, or WMI to remotely start the service, google for
more information on this topics like here:

http://www.devx.com/vb2themax/Tip/18459

HTH, Jens Suessmeyer.

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