Starting the SQL Server Service Automatically
You can configure an instance of Microsoft SQL Server (or SQL Server Agent) to start automatically each time you start the Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 operating system. You can:
Use the SQL Server Installer.
Use SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Use SQL Server Management Studio.
Normal configuration is to start the SQL Server service automatically. If a server is intentionally restarted because of software or hardware maintenance, or unintentionally restarted due to a power or hardware failure, SQL Server will become available without additional attention from an attendant.
Possible reasons to configure SQL Server not to start automatically include the following scenarios:
You want to investigate the cause of the restart before making the database available.
SQL Server is not always needed, and you wish to control conserve computer resources, such as on a laptop computer.
SQL Server is not always needed, and you wish to reduce the potential exposure to a malicious virus or user.