SQL Server: Timeout expired. The timeout period elapsed prior to completion of the operation or the server is not responding.

Today (10/04/2012), I imported a csv file with over 8million rows into SQL Server which created the database table for me which I mapped out via the import method.

Later I realised that I did not assign a primary key or an Identity Specification, which when attempted (via the design view) it kept on timing out due to the number of records I had.

Searching the net, majority of the results were related to the .NET error thrown but ElectricToolbox mentioned another solution which affected the design view timeout where you were able to change the timeout value from 30secs to 0 setting it to unlimited.

Check it out here: http://www.electrictoolbox.com/unable-modify-table-timeout-expired-sql-server/