This answer is only for the first points to your question:
Instead of running a select statement at all, use the ODBC link and import
the backups table into an MS Access DB.  You can then run queries to your
hearts content without any impact on your production TSM server.  I have
found a query in access to be quite a bit faster than a select in TSM.

Now, before I get slammed, I use selects in TSM all the time but when it
comes to complicated long running statements I usually decide to put the
data in access.

Kyle

-----Original Message-----
From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU]On Behalf Of
Lisa Cabanas
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 10:31 AM
To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
Subject: oh great SQL gurus..... statement for validating that all of
the NT servers all have valid registry backups


Hello again,

I was hoping one of you nice SQL gods/goddesses (Paul???) would help me
construct a SQL select statement that won't halt my server, won't take days
to run, and will help me validate that all of our NT servers all have
active and inactive copies of c:\adsm.sys\...\MACHINE\*

Now that I get to looking.... I don't easily see how to get what I am
looking for with a select-- is this actually going to be a show bitfile
kind-of-thing? (yuk)

TIA

lisa