Problem solve

Problem solve

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

• Architectural changes in Exchange Server 2007

  The Exchange Server 2007 architecture differs greatly from the Exchange Server 2003 architecture, so make sure you familiarize yourself with the changes prior to planning an upgrade. 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

• Download XAMPP for Windows to add Apache, MySQL, Perl, FileZilla servers

  One of the best WAMP (Windows/Apache/MySQL/Perl) packages out there is XAMPP, which in its Windows incarnation not only gives you Apache, MySQL, PHP and Perl but also the FileZilla FTP server and the Mercury mail server. 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

• Universal file conversion tool for Microsoft Outlook

  SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp has looked at a number of third-party mail-format conversion and data-export tools for Microsoft Outlook. The one that impressed him most: ABC Amber Outlook Converter. Continue Reading

• Eliminate username and password prompt when opening Microsoft Outlook

  Learn how to configure Exchange Server to avoid receiving username and password prompts each time Microsoft Outlook is opened.Continue Reading

• Server consolidation: Allocate network bandwidth, memory, disk space

  When it comes to consolidating servers, you need to know what each server's real needs and behaviors are, then modeling your consolidation server along those guidelines. In this article we'll show you how to calculate your needs for allocating ...Continue Reading

• OutDisk: A simple solution to sending large email attachments

  Learn about a third-party tool called OutDisk that solves the problem of sending large email attachments via Microsoft Outlook and Exchange Server.Continue Reading

• DNS: Installing it manually on a Windows 2000 server

  If you want the DNS name resolution database on a Windows 2000 Server that is not a domain controller, you will need to install DNS manually.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

• XP recovery console story in working mode

  xp recovery consoleContinue 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

• Faulty RAM issues surface in move from XP to Vista

  Some people upgrading from XP to Vista are discovering that a machine that ran XP fine will throw up a BSOD in Vista. The problem is that Vista uses memory more completely than XP, and it's caused by a faulty RAM module.Continue Reading

• Exchange Server memory management with /3GB, /USERVA and /PAE

  Exchange Server is notorious for devouring server memory. In this tip, I explain how the /3GB switch, /USERVA switch and /PAE switch can help you manage Exchange Server 2003 memory and performance. I also share best practices you should employ so ...Continue Reading

• Enable the Permissions tab in XP Professional

  To give permissions for a folder share to a particular group of users in XP, you must change the default settings.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

• Windows Server 2008 (Longhorn) preview: Important new features

  Read up on some of the new features of Windows Server 2008, including BitLocker support, role-based security, server core and network access protection.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

• Vista's Windows kill switch: What to do if RFM kicks in

  Windows Vista's anti-piracy feature, Reduced Functionality Mode, has been called a Windows kill switch. If RFM kicks in, what should you do?Continue Reading

• Toolkit helps admins predict behavior of Internet Explorer 7

  Microsoft is offering a free download that can help systems administrators plan for the way IE7 might be used in their organzations.Continue Reading

• Three approaches to setting Exchange Server mailbox size limits

  Learn about three approaches to setting Exchange Server mailbox size limits: flat per-user limits, tiered limits and customized Exchange Server mailbox quotas based on real-time usage analysis.Continue Reading

• Contacting the domain controller

  Windows network security expert explains how to make sure users can contact your domain controllerContinue Reading

• Configuring DNS server to create a DNS zone

  Admins can easily perform DNS configuration on Win2k Server for the purpose of creating a DNS zone.Continue Reading

• DST patch for any Windows machine

  Here's a tool that can update any Windows machine to the new DST changes set to go into effect in March.Continue Reading

• Control users' Internet access

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

• Switching between time zones on Windows XP

  You can get around the problem of Microsoft Outlook not reflecting different time zones if you have Windows XP installed on your laptop. A setting in XP allows you to automatically translate times from other time zones into your local time zone.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

• Blu-Ray, HD-DVD may replace current DVD formats for burning data

  HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc are two new storage formats being pushed for prerecorded consumer content. But because of their storage capacities, they're also potential replacements for existing DVD formats: single- and dual-layer DVD+/-R and +/-RW.Continue Reading

• Questions to ask your security vendor

  Be prepared with the right questions to ask vendors when it comes time to buy those new network security products. Kevin Beaver supplies seven questions you should ask vendors in order to get the straight answers you need and avoid hearing the fluff.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

• Schedule tasks to run at designated time in Vista

  Windows Vista's Task Scheduler allows admins to run the programs they want at a designated time.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

• Name resolution in DNS

  In domain environment DNS, what mechanism is responsible for resolving host names when they communicate with each other?Continue Reading

• Utility recovers wireless network keys in Windows installation

  Nir Sofer's new tool, WirelessKeyView, can recover all the wireless network keys in a given Windows installation. This can serve as a troubleshooting measure for admins who want to determine if the wireless key set up on a particular system matches ...Continue Reading

• Timewasters, Part 2: Five more admin tasks you needn't bother with

  Here's another batch of tasks that aren't worth the time and effort for busy systems administrators to perform them.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

• Debunking Microsoft Virtual Server myths

  There are three myths regarding ways to increase performance of Microsoft Virtual Server.Continue Reading

• Best tools for probing LSA Secrets area of Windows Registry

  Two new utilities are the best available for probing the Local Security Authority (LSA) Secrets area of the Windows Registry.Continue Reading

• Optimizing Virtual Server: Software configuration tips

  There are many ways to optimize the performance of Microsoft Virtual Server through software configuration tips.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

• Calculating folder sizes simplified

  Microsoft Explorer won't calculate the size of a folder unless you specifically ask for it, and the process of calculating a folder size can take a long time. But there are third-party programs that allow you to obtain this information more easily.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

• What is the best device for Windows server backup?

  An administrator wants to know what the best device is for Windows server backup.Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2003 SP2 and Internet Explorer 7 compatibility problems

  Computers running Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 may experience problems if they're upgraded to Internet Explorer 7. Learn about the Exchange System Manager errors this compatibility issue may cause and how to resolve them.Continue Reading

• Multi-core processors: Are they worth the premium?

  Most desktop PCs can now ship with some variety of two-core processor, and Intel's new Core 2 Quad packs four CPU cores onto a single die. But are the extra cores worth the extra money? The biggest factor is what the hardware is going to be used for...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

• I lost my Windows XP product key

  A reader no longer has the product key or the PC that his copy of Windows XP was installed on.Continue Reading

• Undocked laptop takes forever to boot

  A reader writes looking for help regarding a laptop that works fine when it's docked. But when it's undocked, it takes forever to boot and occasionally hangs with a blue screen.Continue Reading

• REGSVR32 replacement provides detailed error messages

  Admins use the REGSVR32 command-line tool to manually register COM components, as well as register or deinstall components with Windows. But REGSVR32 doesn't provide much in the way of error codes, so if something goes wrong, it makes a component ...Continue Reading

• Improve RIS deployment scripts via environment variables

  Environment variables can make RIS deployment scripts more dynamic.Continue Reading

• Rename multiple computers programmatically

  Following your Rename multiple computers advice, is there a way to rename mulitple computers and accounts programmatically without attending the PCs? Or, are you...Continue Reading

• Jitter issues: Why some DVD drives can't read pressed DVDs

  Some drives won't recognize certain CDs and DVDs.One factor may be the drive's tolerance for jitter. It's not always easy to determine if a given DVD drive has a jitter issue, but there are ways to find out.Continue Reading

• Optimizing Virtual Server: Hardware configuration tips

  If your Windows-based network has had performance issues when you try to use Microsoft's Virtual Server, here are some hardware configuration tips for clearing those issues up.Continue Reading

• Integration of Explorer, command line is job of 'indispensable' add-on

  If you spend any appreciable amount of time in the command line but also need better integration between the command line and Explorer itself, Command Prompt Explorer Bar is an indispensable add-on.Continue Reading

• Active Directory security: Securing the domain via the domain controller

  A key task for Active Directory admins involves ensuring the security of domain controllers. Expert Gary Olsen explains how paying special attention to physical security and user rights can go a long way toward maintaining a more secure environment.Continue Reading

• Top 10 Windows restore and recovery tips of 2006

  Whether you need to perform recovery on a failed server, database or shadow copy, these tips related to restoring and recovering Windows-related components can be of help.Continue Reading

• Importing an Exchange 5.5 Global Address List into Exchange 2003 Active Directory

  Learn how to import an Exchange 5.5 Global Address List into an Exchange 2003 Active Directory system.Continue Reading

• Safe and secure Windows logging practices

  Have your security logging practices been all they can be thus far? Security expert Kevin Beaver explains how you can test your system to make sure that your network is secure with an information risk assessment.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

• Storage management tasks that are a waste of time

  Find out about six administrative tasks related to storage and storage management that aren't worth the time they take.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

• Exchange Server journaling -- segregation and migration

  SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains why you should segregate journaled mailboxes to their own message stores in Exchange Server 2003, and outlines message journaling changes you should to consider when migrating to Exchange ...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

• How do I free up space on my hard drive?

  I am trying to print a multiple image document in Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition but I keep getting an error message saying "Not enough free space on the hard drive which contains your system folder to print the current multiple image document." ...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

• Server power consumption: Determining UPS runtimes

  Calculating UPS runtime -- the number of minutes of power that your UPS's batteries can provide -- is important because all the UPS capacity in the world won't do you much good if your UPS battery doesn't hold out long enough to get you through the ...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

• Multiple monitors for Windows 2000

  Configure your desktop to be displayed on multiple monitors in Windows 2000 Server.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

• Sysinternals' Process Monitor tool tells admins all about Windows activities

  Process Monitor, the first tool from Sysinternals since Microsoft's acquisition of the company, eclipses the functionality of tools like Filemon and Regmon by providing a detailed look into the way things transpire inside Windows. And it's still ...Continue Reading

• Enabling protocol logging for Exchange Server

  Protocol logging lets you see the commands that clients are sending to your Exchange server. If you detect suspicious SMTP, NNTP or HTTP traffic patterns, you can take action before they become a problem. Protocol logs are also an excellent forensic...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

• Self-contained utilities can run from USB drive

  The idea behind the PortableApps Suite is both simple and compelling: Pull together a bunch of self-contained utility programs (i.e., which need no installer and can run from a USB drive or even a CD-ROM), and make them available in one easily ...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

• Deploying a Network Load Balancing cluster

  Here is the configuration process for creating a Network Load Balancing cluster.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

• 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

• Setting up Exchange Server to communicate with Lotus Domino 6.5

  SearchExchange.com expert David Sengupta offers advice on how to set up an Exchange server to communicate with a Lotus Domino 6.5 server.Continue Reading

• Intel Core Duo outscores discrete dual-processor system

  Instead of increasing computing power by placing two discrete processors on a motherboard, Intel took the guts of two processors, put them side by side on the same die, and made them work together. That's part of what makes Intel's Core Duo 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

• Utility pings local and remote networks, and a whole lot more too

  The handy utility NetPing is one widely used to scan a range of network addresses and retrieve information about the computers using them.Continue Reading

• Moving an Exchange Server public folder replica to another server

  Find out the steps necessary to move one Exchange public folder replica to another server.Continue Reading

• DFS terminology undergoes shakeup in Windows Server 2003 R2

  Microsoft has changed the terminology for its Distributed File Systsem (DFS) in Windows Server 2003 R2. Here's a rundown of the new terms and what Windows administrators need to know about them.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

• Windows System Resource Manager keeps resource-hungry apps in check

  Windows is designed so that system resources such as memory and CPU time are shared among the processes that are executing. But now and then, a poorly written application consumes far more than its fair share of system resources, thereby starving ...Continue Reading

• Creating an ethical firewall in Exchange Server 2007

  Learn how you can use an Exchange Server 2007 ethical firewall to prohibit certain employees or departments from communicating with each other via email.Continue Reading

• Retrieve a lost Automated System Recovery disk

  To perform Automated System Recovery (ASR) on a server, you'll need the ASR disk you previously created. Withouth the disk, you won't be able to recover the system. But if you've lost or misplaced it, don't panic! It's possible to get the ASR disk ...Continue Reading