MS SQL/MSDE

check version
open query analyzer
run the following: select serverproperty('productversion'), serverproperty('productlevel'),serverproperty('edition')

MSDE
integrity check
osql -E -S cheftec\css
DBCC CHECKDB('ctdir')
go
exit

backup
generate a backup script
osql -E -S cheftec\css -i ctdir.sql