Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• How to set up a Deleted Items Retention policy for Microsoft Outlook

  Exchange Server supports a Deleted Items Retention policy that lets you recover messages even after they've been emptied or purged from the Deleted Items folder in Microsoft Outlook. In this tip, SearchExchange.com expert Brad Dinerman explains how ... Continue Reading

• Volume Shadow Copy Service lets users restore, recover files

  Admin dream: Users restoring their own files. And if you have some disk space to spare, you can enable this capability directly in Windows Server 2003 through the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). Continue Reading

• Using 'functions' in batch files

  Learn how to use 'functions' in batch files in this user-submitted tip. Continue Reading

• Fix USB audio problems like sputtering or glitching

  USB audio often suffers from sputtering or glitching— playback riddled with clicks and pops. The bitstream is being interrupted, and the cause is hardware-related. Continue Reading

• Memory leaks: Determine an application's CPU consumption

  The same symptoms for a memory leak can be caused by a poorly written application that consumes an excessive amount of CPU time. Here's how to determine how much CPU time an individual application is using. Continue Reading

• Erasing hard disk drive data: How many passes are needed?

  Our desktop management expert confronts the "digital legend" that you must erase a piece of data on a hard disk drive many times to guarantee its destruction.Continue Reading

• Password authentication works for OWA but fails for Microsoft Outlook

  You can access your mailbox via Outlook Web Access, but not through Microsoft Outlook. SearchExchange.com expert Brad Dinerman explains how to determine whether this is a user account, desktop profile or workstation issue.Continue Reading

• How to configure attachment blocking in Outlook Web Access

  SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains how to edit the registry to customize what email attachment file extensions are automatically blocked by Outlook Web Access.Continue Reading

• Best practices for DNS structure design

  The dream of having an efficient Active Directory can live or die with how well DNS is designed. Expert Gary Olsen runs through the basic principles to be aware of when designing the DNS structure.Continue Reading

• Switch between Remote Admin, App Server modes in Terminal Services

  Here are some simple steps that will allow admins to switch between Remote Administration and Application Server modes in Terminal Services.Continue Reading

• HTTP File Server allows quick-and-dirty file sharing over the Web

  The tool HTTP File Server allows simple file sharing across a local network via the Web.Continue Reading

• Use System Monitor to find bottlenecks in Windows Server 2003

  Windows Server 2003 comes with two performance monitoring tools: System Monitor, and Performance Logs and Alerts. These tools provide information that administrators can use to find bottlenecks and for troubleshooting Windows. This tip tells you ...Continue Reading

• Performance Logs and Alerts: A guide to the Windows Server 2003 utility

  Performance Logs and Alerts is one of performance monitoring tools in Windows Server 2003. This tip discusses the tool's two types of logs: counter logs and trace logs.Continue Reading

• Defragment Microsoft Outlook .PST files for better performance

  Learn how you can use the Sysinternals Contig tool to defragment Microsoft Outlook .PST files and improve their performance.Continue Reading

• Finding memory leaks using Performance Monitor

  Locating a memory leak in Microsoft Windows often involves watching Performance Monitor counters and interpreting the results.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook error: 'One or more rules could not be uploaded to Exchange Server'

  SearchExchange.com expert Brad Dinerman helps troubleshoot the Microsoft Outlook error "One or more rules could not be uploaded to Exchange Server."Continue Reading

• Managing Daylight Saving Time (DST) changes in Exchange Server and Microsoft Outlook

  Find out how Daylight Saving Time (DST) changes in 2007 will affect Exchange Server and Microsoft Outlook, and learn what you need to do to prepare your Exchange servers and clients.Continue Reading

• Forwarding email from Exchange Server to an external email address

  Get step-by-step instructions for forwarding all Exchange Server email to an external email address.Continue Reading

• Memory leaks: Finding a memory leak in Microsoft Windows

  Applications with memory leaks can kill server performance and even render a server unstable. But memory leaks are not always obvious. Here's how to know if you've got one.Continue Reading

• DNS best practices: Making AD rock-solid

  Some consider DNS to be the heart of Active Directory, and like any heart, it is important to keep it healthy. Expert Gary Olsen offers his set of best practices for maintaining a secure and properly configured DNS.Continue Reading

• Installing additional language support for Outlook Web Access

  Exchange Server only installs support for English and common European languages by default. But it's simple to add support to Exchange Server and Outlook Web Access for foreign dialects, including Arabic, Hebrew and Asian languages. This tip ...Continue Reading

• Setting up OWA in Exchange Server 2003

  SearchExchange.com expert Brad Dinerman provides instruction on how to set up and access Outlook Web Access via the Web in Exchange Server 2003.Continue Reading

• Fixing corrupt Microsoft Outlook calendar entries

  Microsoft Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007 can occasionally suffer from corrupt calendar entries. When this happens, certain appointment reminders repeatedly pop up no matter how many times you dismiss them. Exchange MVP Brien Posey explains how to fix...Continue Reading

• Cannot reply or forward in Outlook Web Access

  If you can't reply or forward in Outlook Web Access (OWA), you may need to add your Exchange Server URL to Internet Explorer's Trusted Sites list.Continue Reading

• Why do remote users find that all printers have disappeared from their sessions?

  Expert Christa Anderson offers advice for dealing with a crashing spooler service.Continue Reading

• How can I track which users have connected to a terminal server?

  Expert Christa Anderson offers some ideas for monitoring who is connecting to a terminal server, and when they are connecting.Continue Reading

• Use FSRM to create file screens, enforce storage restrictions

  Use the File Server Resource Manager utility in Windows Server 2003 R2 to create file screens, which disallow your users from saving certain file types.Continue Reading

• SpamBayes: Open-source antispam tool for Microsoft Outlook

  If you don't have an Exchange server, only individual Microsoft Outlook desktop installations, the open-source antispam tool SpamBayes is a handy way to manage spam without dropping a lot of money.Continue Reading

• Simple WMI tricks for AD administrators

  Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) can be a great asset for Active Directory admins. Expert Gary Olsen offers useful WMI tips and tricks for locating and gathering information from objects in an enterprise.Continue Reading

• Server consolidation: Calculating CPU utilization

  If you're doing a server consolidation through virtualization, you'll need to calculate how much CPU you'll need to have available on your host system for each guest. Here's the best way to determine this.Continue Reading

• Microsoft's daylight-saving time (DST) patch -- Does it matter to AD?

  Who would've thought that expanding the dates of daylight-saving time would cause so many problems for IT administrators? Expert Gary Olsen analyzes what the changes mean to Active Directory regarding domain operations.Continue Reading

• Switch between Remote Desktop windows

  Admins who rely on Remote Desktop will often have multiple connections simultaneously. With each one in a separate window, switching between them on the fly can get pretty unwieldy. Now there's a freeware tool to allay this problem.Continue Reading

• Diskpart utility scans for newly added disks

  Use the Windows Diskpart utility to scan for newly added disks, instead of Windows' Disk Administrator tool.Continue Reading

• Recreating IIS virtual directories for OWA, OMA and Exchange ActiveSync

  Exchange Server 2003 uses virtual directories in Internet Information Services (IIS) for a number of Microsoft Exchange services -- mainly, Outlook Web Access (OWA), Outlook Mobile Access (OMA) and Exchange ActiveSync. Learn three different ways you...Continue Reading

• OWA 'Loading' problems with Internet Explorer security zones

  Making changes to the definitions of Internet Explorer security zones can cause OWA to malfunction, particularly if it's done by a user who isn't well- versed in OWA's security zone setting requirements.Continue Reading

• Control users' Internet access

  Here's a method of controlling users' Internet access in an Active Directory environment.Continue Reading

• Remote Desktop Connection tool resolves Vista and XP snafu

  When you attempt to connect to Windows XP via Remote Desktop from a Vista machine, you get a warning message. To address the problem, Microsoft just released Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 client tools for Windows Server 2003 and XP.Continue Reading

• Should you use NTFS compression on Exchange Server files?

  Some Exchange Server administrators have debated the use of NTFS file compression to improve Exchange Server disk performance and increase the hard drive capacity. Generally, this is not a good idea. Find out why and learn about one exception for ...Continue Reading

• Beware of bare linefeeds in Exchange Server email

  A bare linefeed is a single linefeed character that isn't preceded by an ASCII carriage return. In some instances, virus scanners or security appliances will insert bare linefeeds into an Exchange Server email and cause delivery failures.Continue Reading

• When Active Directory replication fails: Debugging Event ID 1311

  Perhaps the most infamous Active Directory replication error is Event ID 1311. But how do you resolve it? Expert Gary Olsen breaks down all of the factors you must consider when troubleshooting the error.Continue Reading

• Configuring DNS server properties

  When followed correctly, DNS is fairly simple to use in Active Directory. However, it's even easier when you understand certain configurations. Expert Gary Olsen breaks down the DNS complexities that every admin should know about.Continue Reading

• DFS Replication not right for all environments

  Despite the many improvements made to DFS in Windows Server 2003 R2, there are still limitations to the service, and you should keep these in mind in order to be certain that DFS is appropriate for your environment.Continue Reading

• Zip and encrypt Microsoft Outlook email attachments

  Available for Microsoft Outlook 2000 and higher, WinZip Companion for Outlook is an affordable third-party program that can be used to protect email attachments -- with your choice of .ZIP encryption.Continue Reading

• View and manage all connected USB devices

  A utility called USBDeview lets admins view all USB devices currently connected to a PC, as well as manage these USB devices more efficiently.Continue Reading

• StickyKeys: Turning off accessibility keyboard shortcuts

  One "hidden" feature in Windows is a series of keyboard commands that turn on accessibility functions for the disabled. People who turn these commands (like StickyKeys) on by accident may think their keyboard is malfunctioning. Here's how to disable...Continue Reading

• Group Policy: Prevent unwanted software installation

  In this series, expert Jeremy Moskowitz shows readers how to designate specific administrators to specific PCs and apply updates to traveling laptops.Continue Reading

• Tweaking Outlook Web Access timeout options

  Outlook Web Access (OWA) maintains two values for timeout options -- one for trusted clients and another for public clients. Learn how to customize OWA timeout options in the registry for optimal security.Continue Reading

• Monitoring a Network Load Balancing cluster

  Once you've created a Network Load Balancing cluster, you have to monitor it so you're aware of each node's status. Here are some techniques for keeping tabs on your cluster.Continue Reading

• Replication upgrades make DFS ideal for low-bandwidth branch offices

  While DFS has been around since the days of Windows NT 4.0, improvements made to DFS in Windows Server 2003 R2 make it much more attractive for Windows systems administrators. In particular, there have been advances in the areas of replication and ...Continue Reading

• Getting 'access denied' error with wireless router

  I have a PC running XP Pro connected by cable to a router and a laptop running XP Pro connected by WiFi to the router. Both the PC and the laptop can see each other and they both have permissions set for File & Printer Sharing. The PC can access ...Continue Reading

• Test Exchange ActiveSync mobile devices with Microsoft Device Emulator 1.0

  Microsoft Device Emulator 1.0 makes it easier to test the behavior of mobile devices that use Exchange ActiveSync.Continue Reading

• Burn ISO images to CD or DVD with Microsoft tools

  Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista can make use of command-line tools for burning ISO images to CD or DVD. These tools, called CDBURN and DVDBURN, are from Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools.Continue Reading

• Using ADFind.exe when LDIFDE fails you

  Different Active Directory tools are better suited for different situations. Expert Gary Olsen provides details for how using ADFind is sometimes better than LDIFDE when listing group SIDs in a domain.Continue Reading

• Network Load Balancing cluster nodes must communicate with each other

  Even though each node in a Network Load Balancing cluster performs its own independent calculations to determine which server will handle an inbound request, the nodes must have a mechanism for communicating the cluster size to each other.Continue Reading

• Maximize Internet Explorer screen

  When Internet Explorer opens it can range in size anywhere from that of a postage stamp to almost filling the screen. Find out how to maximize the screen.Continue Reading

• DFS Namespaces provides routing options for folders, links

  In R2, the DFS service has been split into two separate components: DFS-Namespaces (DFS-N) and DFS-Replication (DFS-R). Splitting the DFS service into two components allows you to make a more granular decision regarding the services you deploy on ...Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Exchange Server Event IDs

  Exchange Server event logs are an important part of system diagnosis, but oftentimes it's unclear what an Exchange Server Event ID means or where to go for help. This collection of tools and technical advice will help you pinpoint the cause of Event...Continue Reading

• RAID levels for Windows environments

  This tip describes the eight RAID levels, their associated characteristics and the types of applications they can best benefit.Continue Reading

• Repairing digital signature issues in Windows XP

  Microsoft supplies digital signatures for key Windows components to insure that they're genuine, as a way to prevent unauthorized parties from substituting in device drivers or system .DLLs. However, if the subsystem that confirms digital ...Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook third-party add-ins

  Third-party add-ins can enhance Microsoft Outlook's functionality, but sometimes they hurt Microsoft Outlook's behavior and performance. SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains three ways to troubleshoot adverse effects of Microsoft ...Continue Reading

• Install backup on Windows XP Home Edition

  Although the Backup utility is not mentioned at any point during the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition, it is included. However, you need to do a manual install to prepare it for use.Continue Reading

• Group Policy deployment for server hardening

  Learn how to deploy Group Policies to one of the four levels of Active Directory: an Active Directory site, a local computer, an organization unit or a domain.Continue Reading

• Group Policy: Applying automatic proxy settings and modifying registry keys

  In this series, expert Jeremy Moskowitz shows readers how to modify registry keys in Windows XP, confirm that user permissions are correctly configured and more.Continue Reading

• Network Load Balancing cluster modes: advantages and disadvantages

  You can run a Network Load Balancing cluster in unicast or in multicast mode. The article explains the advantages and disadvantages of the different configurations.Continue Reading

• Optimize Windows virtual memory in Windows 2000 Server

  Adding multiple page files is a way to optimize Windows 2000's Virtual Memory Manager. Here are the steps you'll need to follow.Continue Reading

• Three disk defragmentation issues defined

  Since fragmentation still exists and remains a problem, admins should defragment regularly. But because defragging can become an obsesssion, balancing it against other actions like buying a larger hard disk drive or more memory would be wise, says ...Continue Reading

• How to search multiple Microsoft Outlook subfolders simultaneously

  Learn how to search multiple Microsoft Outlook subfolders simultaneously using the Advanced Find feature.Continue Reading

• 'You do not have permission to send to this recipient' errors

  Learn how to diagnose and resolve 'You do not have permission to send to this recipient' Exchange Server non-delivery reports caused by 5.7.1 or 5.7.3 errors.Continue Reading

• Sharing IP address among cluster nodes leads to network issues

  A fundamental rule of the TCP/IP protocol is that you cannot use the same IP address on more than one server; if you do, an IP address conflict occurs. Sharing an IP address among the nodes in the cluster can lead to some tricky networking issues, ...Continue Reading

• Disable checksum offloading to resolve network slowdown caused by Windows Firewall

  Windows Firewall has an issue with some network adapters that support a hardware feature called checksum offloading. While there's no complete fix, there is a workaround.Continue Reading

• Restore shadow copies from command line with volrest tool

  Volrest, a command-line tool in the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit, can help administrators search for files on a server while restoring shadow copies.Continue Reading

• RADIUS simplifies administration of remote access servers

  If you have more than one remote access server, the administration of remote access policies can quickly become cumbersome. One way around this is to configure a single computer running Windows Server 2003 and IAS as a RADIUS server and configure ...Continue Reading

• Windows Time Service: There's got to be a better way to sync XP systems

  There's a tendency for any two given Windows XP systems to be completely out of sync even though they're both joined into the same domain.Continue Reading

• Active Directory for Windows 2000 and 2003: What's the difference?

  A common question among IT admins involves the differences in Active Directory for Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. Expert Laura E. Hunter breaks down the key changes that took place in Active Directory when the new operating system was ...Continue Reading

• Configuring Exchange Server to receive email from an ISP mailbox

  The lack of a broadband Internet connection or static IP address can sometimes prevent a company, particularly a small business, from configuring Exchange Server to receive SMTP email in the typical way. Learn how you can configure Exchange Server ...Continue Reading

• Why does PC freeze when converting Microsoft Word document to a PDF?

  When a user on the domain tries to convert a Word document to a PDF file using Adobe Professional 7.0, their PC freezes. This admin wonders if there's another way to grant the user access other than giving them power user rights?Continue Reading

• Create a console to manage remote servers, systems

  By creating a custom Microsoft Management Console called the Remote Desktop Console, you'll be able to better manage your systems than with the normal Remote Desktop interface.Continue Reading

• Quick-formatting hard disk drives: A shortcut, but safe

  Quick-formatting a new hard drive takes only seconds, but simply erases the drive's metadata and file allocation tables. Full-formatting, which can take several hours, goes sector-by-sector across the disk, erases it and tests it for possible read ...Continue Reading

• Is domain controller virtualization really a good idea?

  As virtual application servers continue to grow in popularity, many IT managers are beginning to explore the idea of virtualizing domain controllers as well. Expert Gary Olsen tackles some of the many unanswered questions involving DC virtualization.Continue Reading

• BCC encrypted email forking in Outlook Web Access

  Enabled by default, OWA's BCC Encrypted Email Forking feature prevents blind carbon copy recipient information from being leaked when users send encrypted emails. Learn more about how this feature works and discover the storage side effects it can ...Continue Reading

• Eliminate annoying Microsoft Outlook security warnings with ClickYes Pro

  ClickYes Pro is a utility that enables thirty-party specified applications to access Microsoft Outlook without receiving annoying security prompts.Continue Reading

• Fixing Microsoft Word's mysterious tiny cursor

  No one is quite sure what causes the "tiny cursor" problem in Microsoft Word, but here are two workarounds.Continue Reading

• Why .NET Framework process uses 100% CPU

  If a .NET Framework process named MSCORSVW.EXE is constantly running at 100% CPU, it is either compiling high priority assemblies, which need to be completed as soon as possible, or else there's something wrong with the .NET installation. Here's how...Continue Reading

• LUA Buglight utility finds program failures due to limited user account bugs

  The utility called LUA Buglight helps systems administrators determine if a program's failure is due to a limited user account bug.Continue Reading

• How to re-enable the Task Manager

  My Task Manager has somehow been disabled. I am the administrator and I did not disable it. How did this happen and how do I re-enable it?Continue Reading

• Show open documents as separate windows on the taskbar

  Some applications don't show your open documents as separate windows on the taskbar, which prevents you from switching to a specific document. This tip explains how you can get quick navigation in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Continue Reading

• Step-by-step instructions for deploying an iSCSI SAN

  Many companies whose storage needs are growing are deploying iSCSI SANs rather than simply buying more servers However, the process for deploying an iSCSI SAN can be a complex one.Continue Reading

• OWA error: 'Page cannot be displayed. Internal server error.'

  SearchExchange.com expert Patricia Guerrero offers four methods for troubleshooting the Outlook Web Access error: 'Page cannot be displayed. Internal server error.'Continue Reading

• Marking calendar appointments 'private' in Outlook Web Access

  Learn how to add Microsoft Outlook-like features and functionality to Outlook Web Access, including the ability to designate appointments as private.Continue Reading

• Using the NETSETUP.log to debug domain join problems in Active Directory

  One of the most overlooked features of MPS Reports is the NETSETUP.log. Expet Gary Olsen breaks down the tool and explains its value when troubleshooting Active Directory.Continue Reading

• How do I change the time zone of a user's session and not the local machine?

  Expert Christa Anderson offers a reader a helpul tool for changing the time zone of a user's session.Continue Reading

• Outlook Web Access won't let user reply to messages

  If users can't reply to email in Outlook Web Access, SearchExchange.com expert Patricia Guerrero offers some troubleshooting tips.Continue Reading

• Degaussing LTO and 3950 tapes is a no-no

  Degaussing used to be the standard way of preparing tapes for re-use. However, LTO and 3950 tapes can't be degaussed and reused, because they contain data they need if they are to function at all.Continue Reading

• Exchange Server domain name changes -- don't forget about IIS

  Because of their co-dependent relationship, changes to Exchange Server can influence Internet Information Server (IIS) behavior and vice versa. One potentially troublesome interaction between Exchange Server and IIS involves domain name changes.Continue Reading

• Server room planning: Location, space, setup and environmental considerations

  The following tip is excerpted from Chapter 1, Choosing your server, from our e-book, "Windows servers and storage." This excerpt looks at the physical aspects of server installation, including reasons for a dedicated server room, what a server room...Continue Reading

• Running 32-bit apps in x64 Windows: Registry redirection

  When a 32-bit application is run on top of an x64 version of Windows, the WOW64 emulator redirects the Program Files folder and calls to DLL files. But this emulator also redirects certain portions of the Windows registry. This article will show you...Continue Reading

• How do I change IP addresses within Active Directory?

  Expert Laura E. Hunter explains to a reader how easy it can be to change IP addresses in Active Directory.Continue Reading

• OutlookTools: Free tool taps into Microsoft Outlook's advanced settings

  Many Microsoft Outlook options are semi-hidden or only available through command-line switches, so it's not surprising that so few users and administrators make use of them. OutlookTools 2.0 is a free utility that exposes these hidden Microsoft ...Continue Reading

• Backup and restore functions in Windows: Advantages and limitations

  Administrators should be aware of the advantages and limitations of Windows' built-in data protection mechanisms -- NTBACKUP, Automated System Recovery, Device Driver Rollback and System Restore – plus Data Protection Manager.Continue Reading

• Long-term data storage: What's the best format?

  Your company has data that it wants to be accessible 20 years from now. What's the best storage format for that data?Continue Reading