Problem solve

Problem solve

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

• Allow outsiders to send to an Exchange public folder email address

  Find out how you can allow external accounts -- such as Yahoo and Hotmail addresses -- to send email to a domain's Exchange public folder email address. Continue Reading

• Extracting Active Directory info quickly and easily with LDIFDE

  Gathering data in Active Directory can be a simple task if you know the right commands. Expert Gary Olsen offers a few helpful scripting tips for LDIFDE. Continue Reading

• How to manually (and safely) purge Exchange Server transaction logs

  Learn how you can reclaim disk space by selectively -- and safely -- deleting Exchange Server transaction logs that are no longer needed for restore operations. Continue Reading

• Using the new DFS in Windows Server 2003 R2

  The R2 release of Windows Server 2003 now features a new replication engine for the Distributed File System (DFS). Expert Gary Olsen offers a few helpful pointers and outlines the key feature that make the upgrade worth your while. Continue Reading

• Recover from failed quorum disk in WinServer 2003 cluster

  If the quorum disk fails in a Windows Server 2003 cluster, and a server fails, you're in trouble -- unless you know some of the ways to deal with the problem. Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook folder deletion and synchronization problems

  Users who run Exchange Server offline mode (i.e., using an .OST file) can sometimes experience a strange problem where certain Microsoft Outlook folders cannot be deleted. In this tip, SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains why and...Continue Reading

• Protecting servers with Data Protection Manager

  You've learned how to perform the initial configuration of Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager and how to deploy the agents to the servers that you want to protect, now learn how to protect those servers.Continue Reading

• Is it possible to implement a shared Outlook calendar without Exchange?

  Explore your options for creating a shared calendar for Outlook 2003 users who receive outsourced POP3 email, and have no Exchange Server running.Continue Reading

• Best practices for backing up Windows server clusters

  When it comes to backup, a Windows server cluster environment is very different from standalone systems.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of 'catch-all' Exchange Server mailboxes

  SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains what a catch-all Exchange Server mailbox is and the pros and cons of using one. He also shares a script that can automate the catch-all process for a given domain.Continue Reading

• How to view when a mailbox or public folder was last accessed

  When was an Exchange Server mailbox or Exchange Server public folder last accessed? Learn how to display this information using Exchange System Manager in Exchange Server 2003.Continue Reading

• Verifying Data Protection Manager status

  The first step in troubleshooting most problems related to Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager is to verify that it is actually operating.Continue Reading

• How do I remove a single icon from the system tray?

  How do I remove a single icon from the system tray? Also, I'd like to know how to stop an icon from reappearing on my desktop. When I delete it and log off, the icon does not return when I log back on, but returns when I restart the system.Continue Reading

• As far as Windows XP is concerned, not all floppy drives are created equal

  Only three floppy disk drives will be recognized when you try to install mass storage devices during XP installation.Continue Reading

• Copying long file names or directory paths to CDs

  Administrators routinely use CDs and DVDs to back up files and folders from systems. But any administrator who does this with directory structures that have long file names or extremely deep paths that exceed 180 characters may run into problems. ...Continue Reading

• The effects of GPO version numbers on Group Policy replication

  The relationship of the version numbers for the Group Policy Template and Group Policy Console of each GPO are important for proper Group Policy replication. Expert Derek Melber discusses this relationship and explains why the numbers don't always ...Continue Reading

• Mass-enabling or disabling Outlook Mobile Access permissions

  In Exchange Server 2003, Outlook Mobile Access is enabled by default for all users. If you're in a large organization, you probably want to be more selective about who is allowed to use OMA, but making mass changes to AD user accounts can be ...Continue Reading

• Installing and configuring Data Protection Manager

  Although Microsoft has automated much of the DPM installation process, there are things you need to know to prepare for installation, not to mention the post-installation configuration.Continue Reading

• How to determine if you're the target of a 'reverse NDR attack'

  SearchExchange.com expert Bharat Suneja outlines the symptoms of a 'reverse NDR attack' and provides instructions on how to clean up your Exchange queues if your server's been targeted.Continue Reading

• Fine-tuning the deployment process for apps published via Group Policy

  These tips will help you fine-tune the deployment process for applications that have been assigned or published via Group Policy.Continue Reading

• Project management capability now available in freeware

  Gantt-charting software has traditionally been expensive, but now there's a freeware tool that can perform project management.Continue Reading

• Why Data Protection Manager is replacing disk-to-tape backups

  Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) disk-to-disk-to-tape backup product is replacing traditional disk-to-tape backup in many companies. Here's why.Continue Reading

• Active Directory: Trouble starting AD Users and Computers

  In this series, Expert Laura E. Hunter helps readers with such Active Directory issues as authorizing the DHCP, resetting the AD Restore Mode password and starting AD Users and Computers.Continue Reading

• How to create your own MSI file to deploy applications

  Using Group Policy settings to deploy applications throughout your organization works well if the app you're deploying includes an installation package in MSI format. But it if doesn't, try creating your own MSI file.Continue Reading

• Recovering files from a corrupted cache for offline files

  With the number of users who are using offline file synchronization to take work on the road with them, the offline files cache often becomes corrupted.Continue Reading

• Demote Exchange from domain controller to member server

  SearchExchange.com expert David Sengupta offers advice on demoting an Exchange server from being a domain controller to simply a member server.Continue Reading

• Should you turn off your network's outbound SMTP (port 25)?

  If you have an Exchange server that's allowed to open outbound SMTP connections in your network, should you block port 25 everywhere else in your network, since it's not really needed? The short answer is yes, and here are some good justifications:Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Data Protection Manager warning message

  The "disk threshold exceeded" warning message in Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager examine it's parameters to figure out why it is gobbling up storage space in the first place.Continue Reading

• Step 3: Domain controller communications

  Domain controllers control the keys to your Windows kingdom. They need to be even more secure than your other servers. Ensure their security by following these steps from Active Directory expert Derek Melber.Continue Reading

• Quick fix for a non-replicating DC

  While it doesn't come up every day, one of the most frustrating experiences for an AD administrator is to try to fix a non-replicating DC. Expert Gary Olsen breaks down the process step-by-step to make troubleshooting your next non-replicating DC a ...Continue Reading

• Running ESEUTIL to compact an information store without installing Exchange Server

  SearchExchange.com expert Bharat Suneja explains how you to run ESEUTIL to reclaim disk space for an offline defragmentation.Continue Reading

• Viewing mailbox size and setting mailbox notifications/quotas in Exchange 5.5

  How to view mailbox size and set mailbox notifications and quotas in Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5.Continue Reading

• Allocate disk space properly for Microsoft Data Protection Manager

  Data Protection Manager (DPM), Microsoft's answer to the need for fast recovery of deleted or damaged files, requires two kinds of storage space for the data entities that it uses. If the disk space is not properly allocated, DPM won't work properly.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Exchange Server error messages

  When Exchange Server returns a cryptic numerical error message, do you know what to do? This tip explains a three-tier approach to deciphering and troubleshooting Exchange error codes.Continue Reading

• Exporting Exchange public folder contacts to Microsoft Excel

  SearchExchange.com expert David Sengupta gives step-by-step instructions on how to export Exchange Server public folder contacts to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.Continue Reading

• Error: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host

  Find out what to do if you receive an error that an existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.Continue Reading

• Preventing DNS registration of certain SRV records

  If you have performance issues or bandwidth restrictions, you can force authentication requests to only go to certain domain controllers by preventing DNS registration of certain Service Locator (SRV) records.Continue Reading

• Deploying apps via Group Policy -- cost-effective, but risky

  You can deploy applications using Group Policy. But without the proper planning, this is a good way to shoot yourself in the foot.Continue Reading

• How to display IMF's Spam Confidence Level (SCL) rankings in Microsoft Outlook

  Learn how to create a custom Microsoft Outlook form that exposes Exchange Server Intelligent Message Filter's Spam Confidence Level (SCL) rankings for all incoming e-mail.Continue Reading

• Simultaneously add telephone numbers to Active Directory

  You don't have to add a large group of numbers to Active Directory one by one. SearchEchange.com expert David Sengupta shows you the tool you need to get the job done in one sweep.Continue Reading

• Limiting user and admin access

  In this set of questions and answers, Windows network security expert Wes Noonan shares with you how to selectively limit server access from users and admins alike.

  You can view ...Continue Reading

• Clearing the confusion around Exchange Server circular logging

  Circular logging recommendations have changed over the years based on Exchange version changes, so there's a lot of contradictory information out there.Continue Reading

• Avoid system freeze-ups when installing Windows XP

  When installing Windows XP with SP1, your system may freeze with 34 minutes of the installation process remaining. At this point, the USB drivers are being installed.Continue Reading

• Increase Exchange Server disk performance with aligned partitions

  What if there was a way to increase your hard disk's performance (and therefore Exchange Server performance) by 20% just by making a disk configuration change? Thanks to a utility in the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Support Tools, you can.Continue Reading

• Problems viewing attachments in OWA

  A user cannot view attachments in Outlook Web Access when reading e-mail. SearchExchange.com expert Patricia Guerrero explains how to troubleshoot this issue.Continue Reading

• SMTP error 554: Message blocked because it contains a banned word

  Exchange SMTP error 554 (This message has been blocked because it contains a banned word) can be caused by your spam filter. Learn how to fix SMTP error 554.Continue Reading

• IE toolbar displays HTTP headers of received pages

  Sometimes an admin needs to see the HTTP header information. A toolbar for Internet Explorer is now available that lets admins view the exact HTTP headers for all documents downloaded by IE. It also shows SSL traffic.Continue Reading

• Active Directory user rights for Windows domain controllers and servers

  Some Active Directory user rights are more critical than others because they control key aspects of the server that an attacker could exploit. This tip reviews the differences between some critical user rights settings for domain controllers versus ...Continue Reading

• Performance Monitor: What to do when it yields unexpected results

  When the Performance Monitor built into Windows behaves in an unexpected manner, admins may have to look closely to find a logical explanation to the problem.Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: How to repair Exchange-related IIS virtual directories

  Exchange Server depends on Internet Information Server (IIS) virtual directories for a number of functions related to Outlook Web Access, Outlook Mobile Access and ActiveSync. IIS virtual directories are generally stable, but can become corrupted by...Continue Reading

• Limit delivery of messages to one distribution group

  See how extreme permission restrictions or obscurity can aid you in limiting the delivery of messages in Exchange 2003 to only one (or more) distribution group.Continue Reading

• Use command line tools to monitor Active Directory

  Monitoring Replication is critical to maintaining Active Directory health. Repadmin is a powerful, but often overlooked, Windows Support Tool that can make AD monitoring a much easier process.Continue Reading

• When Windows PE fails to set up disk partitions

  Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) works with Remote Installation Server to help admins who must configure large numbers of XP and WinServer 2003 systems across a network. But sometimes the process goes awry.Continue Reading

• How to find the MAC address of a remote computer

  GetMAC provides a quick method for obtaining the MAC layer address and binding order for a computer running Windows 2000, locally or across a network.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting the red X in email messages in OWA

  SearchExchange.com expert Patricia Guerrero helps an Exchange Server administrator troubleshoot why a red X might appear in the message field when trying to compose an e-mail in Outlook Web Access.Continue Reading

• How to enforce Microsoft Outlook cached mode via group policy

  Users can easily disable Exchange cached mode, since Outlook does not require any special permissions to do so. However, you can enforce cached mode at the group policy level.Continue Reading

• Feature in XP and Windows Server 2003 stores passwords for servers

  The Stored User Names and Passwords feature in Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family stores user names and passwords for servers.Continue Reading

• Make or burn ISO images easily with ISO Recorder

  Creating an ISO image in Windows requires a third-party application. However, ISO Recorder is a free Windows shell extension application that lets you burn CDs of ISO images without any other third-party applications.Continue Reading

• Watch for unsupported data types in Data Protection Manager

  If you're using Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager, for disk-based data recovery, here's a heads-up: DPM does not support certain common data types and, as yet, there's no workaround for the problem.Continue Reading

• Limit domain users' OWA access

  Learn how to use the Exchange Task Wizard to limit domain users' access to Outlook Web Access.Continue Reading

• Notify an OWA user when a new e-mail has arrived

  SearchExchange.com expert Patricia Guerrero explains how to configure Outlook Web Access to notify users when new e-mail has arrived.Continue Reading

• Adolsign: Create AD-aware Microsoft Outlook signature files

  Adolsign (short for Active Directory Outlook Signature) is a third-party utility that allows you to automatically generate and populate an Outlook signature file using Active Directory information.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of multiple Exchange Server organizations

  Learn about the advantages and drawbacks of a multi-forest Windows and Exchange Server architecture.Continue Reading

• Repairing damaged WMI

  If the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) component becomes damaged, Microsoft recommends re-installing Windows. Here's a technique you might want to try first.Continue Reading

• Viewing advanced settings in Active Directory Users and Computers

  There is no getting around it; everyone who uses Active Directory needs to access advanced settings within their enterprises. Expert Derek Melber explains how to use the Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) feature as a means of supporting ...Continue Reading

• How do I install a DNS server and an Active Directory domain?

  Expert Laura E. Hunter helps a reader get started on installing an Active Directory domain with a DNS Server.Continue Reading

• Track IP address of virus sender's system

  Learn the tools you need to track an IP address of a virus sender's system.Continue Reading

• Outlook error: The operation failed. An object could not be found

  Get instructions for resolving the following error: "The operation failed. An object could not be found."Continue Reading

• Why can't Windows 98 SE access shared folders?

  An admin has four servers that all have shared folders, and are authenticated through Active Domain Controller. Three of the servers have no problem being accessed through 98 or XP, but one server allows only Windows XP clients to access its shared ...Continue Reading

• Changing activation code for Windows Server 2003

  An admin wants to know if there is a way to change the activation code for a Windows Server 2003.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between Win98 & Win98SE?

  Expert Serdar Yegulalp responds to a reader question about the differences between Win98 & Win98SE.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook caching considerations

  Microsoft Outlook's cached mode is a valuable feature, but it can consume a considerable amount of system resources, and there are some environments for which it isn't recommended. In this tip, SearchExchange.com contributor Brien Posey explores the...Continue Reading

• Stop relaying and enable outgoing SMTP authentication

  Expert Richard Luckett offers his advice on enabling outgoing SMTP authentication on an Exchange 2003 server.Continue Reading

• RegDelNull deletes undeletable Windows Registry keys

  REGEDIT is a useful tool for making one quick change to the Windows Registry. But if you have to delete a Registry key with an embedded null character in its name, you'll want to check out the RegDelNull utility.Continue Reading

• Introducing Exchange Server Performance Troubleshooting Analyzer Tool

  Microsoft has created a new tool called the Exchange Server Performance and Troubleshooting Analyzer Tool that can help you deal with performance issues on a production server.Continue Reading

• How to use the Recipient Update Service

  Learn how to use the Recipient Update Service to configure multiple servers in the same organization to share the same recipient update policy.Continue Reading

• How to view Outlook Web Access message headers

  Troubleshooting e-mail problems usually requires the ability to read message headers. Unfortunately, Outlook Web Access doesn't provide this functionality by default. Luckily, there is a freeware extension available that solves this issue.Continue Reading

• Controlling Access-based Enumeration with Group Policy

  The addition of Access-based Enumeration to the latest Windows Server 2003 server pack shows that Microsoft has finally jumped on the security bandwagon. Expert Derek Melber explains how the feature can be controlled using Group Policy.Continue Reading

• Should I configure NTFS or FAT32 for Windows 2000?

  Expert Serdar Yegulalp explains the differences between NTFS and FAT32 configuration for Windows 2000.Continue Reading

• Setting up out-of-office for ex-employees

  SearchExchange.com expert David Sengupta explains how to set up an out-of-office rule for users who have left your company.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting SCSI: Termination issues

  If you have changed your SCSI setup and things are not working, termination should be one of your first suspects.Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Cracking network passwords

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.Continue Reading

• 15 steps to hardening Windows Server 2003

  Learn 15 steps you can take right now to harden Windows Server 2003 against various threatsContinue Reading

• When a new user doesn't show up in the address list

  Expert Patricia Guerrero helps an Exchange admin find a missing new user who isn't showing up in the address list.Continue Reading

• Debugging NTFRS using FRSDiag and the Propagation File Tracer

  Debugging FRS can be a major headache for most network admins. Fortunately, Microsoft has released some useful tools to make the process less painful. Expert Gary Olsen goes through these solutions step-by-step, beginning with the FRSDiag tool and ...Continue Reading

• Deciding between a front-end and a back-end Exchange server

  SearchExchange.com expert Peter terSteeg discusses the differences between deploying a front-end vs. a back-end Exchange 2003 server.Continue Reading

• Step 1: Ethical hacking methodology

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.Continue Reading

• Step 2: Tools you should use for Windows password testing

  Weak passwords can be a huge security vulnerability. You can mitigate this risk by attempting to find your weaknesses before a malicious hacker does. Contributor Kevin Beaver provides a step-by-step guide on how to crack your own network passwords.Continue Reading

• How do I prevent users in an Active Directory domain from logging on to multiple clients at once?

  Expert Laura E. Hunter explains how to use of the "LimitLogon" utility in Active Directory to prevent it from logging on to multiple clients at once.Continue Reading

• Can I restrict/remove the Permission tab in Outlook?

  Discover a few ways to prevent Microsoft Outlook users from assigning other users rights and permissions to their mailboxes.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting SCSI: ID conflict

  When the operating system recognizes the host adapter, but the adapter can't see the SCSI devices, you need to check several possibilities.Continue Reading

• Connect to multiple 802.11 networks through one WiFi adapter

  New software from Microsoft enables connecting to more than one wireless network at the same time.Continue Reading

• How to automate DNS management tasks

  Our desktop management expert tells Windows administrators about the scripts and custom applications they can use to automate DNS management tasks.Continue Reading

• Can SQL queries access and update Active Directory?

  Is possible to run SQL queries to gather information and update Active Directory?Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: How to create a VPN for your wireless network

  With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.Continue Reading

• Tools to automate Group Policy Object management tasks

  Group Policies are handy, but using them often leads to a lot of repetitive tasks. Fortunately there are tools that can automate many of these Group Policy Object management tasks. Learn about them here.Continue Reading

• Deleting auto-generated spam from the outbound queue

  The obvious way to deal with a flooded outbound queue is to stop the SMTP service and flush the queue. But what if there are legitimate messages that need to be delivered? Learn an easy way to selectively delete just the offending messages, without ...Continue Reading

• Configuring IIS to authenticate OWA users

  IIS must be configured to authenticate before users will be able to log onto Outlook Web Access. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do it.Continue Reading

• How to override the attachment size limit for OWA public folder posts

  The maximum size limit of any attachment posted to an OWA public folder is 1 MB. If you don't want such a small cap on attachments, here's how you can override the size rule through the registry.Continue Reading

• STORE.EXE is degrading performance

  The STORE.EXE process is the service that manages all of the information stores (databases) on an Exchange server. SearchExchange.com expert Richard Luckett reviews ways to optimize system resources for the STORE.EXE process.Continue Reading