Tips

Tips

• Why ISAPI/CGI applications in IIS 6.0 might perform poorly

  On many systems, CGI applications respond very slowly to server requests, to the point where people may suspect a network issue. Find out about an easy workaround to this issue.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Admin 101: An introduction to RAID for Exchange Server

  SearchExchange.com contributor Marc Grote explains how RAID works, and provides tips and tools that will help you implement and manage RAID storage in your Exchange Server environment.  Continue Reading

• Checking access permissions with Server Share Check

  Windows Server security permissions can get confusing. Contributor Brien M. Posey explains why NTFS permissions are better than share level permission and how to check permissions with Server Share Check.  Continue Reading

• /3GB switch 'gotchas' for Exchange Server

  The /3GB switch can alleviate Exchange Server memory and performance issues in many instances, but there are times when it's a bad idea to use it.  Continue Reading

• Quick Tips: Removing thumbs.db files

  When viewing a folder with the Thumbnail view, WindowsXP creates a thumbs.db file. Find out how to turn this feature off.  Continue Reading

• Versatile directory synchronization tool offers all but the kitchen sync

  A program called TreeComp doesn't just perform directory synchronization. It can synchronize between local directories, synchronize files across FTP directories, or synchronize the contents of .ZIP archives...or all three.  Continue Reading

• Unsnarl Windows Genuine Advantage validation process

  Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage Tool can help users disentangle the WGA validation process.  Continue Reading

• Creating an administrator password reset disk

  As an administrator, it's a good idea to create a password reset disk in case you forget your password. This tip explains how to do this.  Continue Reading

• Signature-based data recovery: A last ditch technique

  If your file allocation table has been destroyed, your best bet is the signature-based recovery method of data recovery. But it's tedious and has the potential to inflict further damage. Use it only if you're out of options.  Continue Reading

• How to recover data from corrupt NTFS boot sectors

  If the NTFS boot sector is corrupt, it can not only cause boot problems, it can also make the data on the volume inaccessible. So it's good to know techniques for repairing a corrupt NTFS boot sector.  Continue Reading

• Importing and exporting Exchange Server 2003 sender filters

  Exchange 2003's sender filtering lets you specify who can and can't send email from your organization. Learn how you can import or export a copy of your Exchange server's sender filters to reuse somewhere else or to just have on hand for reference.  Continue Reading

• Use Remote Desktop for remote hosted server management

  Here are six tips about using Remote Desktop for remote hosted server management when separated from the physical machine.  Continue Reading

• Alternatives to Remote Desktop for managing remote servers

  Some third-party software companies have expanded on the basics of Remote Desktop in Windows by adding features for dealing with a physically inaccessible server.  Continue Reading

• How to automatically clear the forms cache in Microsoft Outlook

  If you use custom forms in Outlook 2003, you may experience the error message: "Outlook cannot open this form." This issue is typically caused by a polluted Microsoft Outlook forms cache. In this tip, SearchExchange.com contributor explains how to ...  Continue Reading

• NAQC and NAP: A comparison

  With the number of mobile devices and remote workers growing, network quarantining has been a popular topic lately. Contributor and NAQC expert Jonathan Hassell compares the features of NAQC with the forthcoming NAP program and advises on if and ...  Continue Reading

• SmartSniff freeware captures raw sockets, TCP/IP packets

  SmartSniff freeware allows you to capture TCP/IP packets that pass through your network adapter, and view the captured data as sequence of conversations between clients and servers.  Continue Reading

• How data recovery for NTFS differs from FAT

  Data recovery on NTFS file systems differs from data recovery on FAT or FAT-32 partitions, primarily because of cluster remapping and transaction logging.  Continue Reading

• Rebuild TCP/IP stack in Windows XP when all else fails

  Find out how to rebuild the TCP/IP stack to the pristine condition that it was in on a clean install using the NetShell utiltiy.  Continue Reading

• Stale mirrors, stale data: Fixing Disk Management in Windows Server 2003

  Mirrored disk arrangements may cause the Disk Management tool in Windows Server 2003 to give you a message regarding Stale Data. If you get that message, here's what to do.  Continue Reading

• GUI tool tails multiple log files

  MakeLogic Tail has a user friendly GUI and shows the last few lines of a growing log file in real time.  Continue Reading

• Named-pipes puzzle solved for admins

  Many Windows server products use named pipes to communicate with other servers and processes. Pipes are usually invisible and silent. But that's not always good—for instance, if you inherit someone else's server, and you don't know which ...  Continue Reading

• Domain controller penetration testing

  Domain controllers are the backbone of your Active Directory network. They require special care when testing their security. Contributor and penetration testing expert Kevin Beaver recommends some tactics and tools for testing DC security.  Continue Reading

• How to create custom mailbox quota messages for Exchange Server 2003

  Learn how you can use a free .NET program called the Quota Message Service to customize Exchange Server 2003 mailbox quota messages for users who are near or over their message storage thresholds.  Continue Reading

• Mastering the LDAP search filter, Part 2

  LDIFDE is a powerful command line tool that with a little practice, can easily extract specific information about AD objects. Expert Gary Olsen explains how to limit your search by way of an object class LDAP filter.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Rights Management Services: An introduction

  Don't be confused or apprehensive about RMS. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains the technology, what you'll need, how to use it and its limitations.  Continue Reading

• Open the command prompt from right-click menu

  Save time and add an option to your right-click context menu that will open a command prompt at your current folder.  Continue Reading

• Server plays key role in Data Protection Manager deployment

  If you're thinking about deploying Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager to help with your back-up, consider that certain servers cannot store the data that DPM will be protecting and that there may be need to disk space issues to ...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook offline address books (.OAB files) with the OABInteg tool

  If you have problems generating or synchronizing offline address books (.OAB files) when using Microsoft Outlook in cached mode, you can use the free command-line utility, OABInteg, to troubleshoot.  Continue Reading

• How disk cluster size affects data recovery processes

  In this tip, you'll learn how to calculate a cluster size, and how disk cluster size affects data recovery processes.  Continue Reading

• How long file names complicate data recovery

  When storing and recovering files, long file names can cause data recovery issues, because the FAT and FAT-32 file systems don't natively support them. Learn how to resolve long file name storage problem.  Continue Reading

• Resolve port conflict in Web sharing with DPM and Windows Storage Server

  Port conflict can occur because Data Protection Manager (DPM) depends on several other Windows services to function properly, some of which use still other Windows services to do their jobs. Here's how to resolve the problem.  Continue Reading

• Emulating a floppy drive in 32-bit Windows

  For the situations when you might want to have a virtual floppy drive, there's now a device driver that allows you to emulate a floppy drive in 32-bit Windows.  Continue Reading

• How to create a boot disk to run Norton Disk Editor

  Running Norton's Disk Editor can help recover data on a Windows system. However you'll need to create a boot disk before running the utility. This tip explains how to complete this process.  Continue Reading

• How to recover deleted files on FAT via Disk Editor

  Recovering deleted files via Norton's Disk Editor on a FAT system is a four-step process. Learn them here.  Continue Reading

• How to recover data

  This tip examines how data recovery works.  Continue Reading

• Endpoint security: Guard your network at the desktop

  The days of securing a network by hardening the perimeter are gone. Now endpoint security is the latest solution to network security. Read contributor Tony Bradley's primer on endpoint security techniques.  Continue Reading

• Setting up DPM for branch offices means extra work for admins

  Setting up Data Protection Manager (DPM) backup software to protect branch offices over a WAN requires extra effort on the part of the network administrator.  Continue Reading

• hMailServer: Free open-source SMTP/POP3 email for Windows

  SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp discusses a free open-source SMTP/POP3 email server for Small Business Server 2003 shops that don't necessarily need a full Exchange Server installation.  Continue Reading

• Mastering the LDAP search filter

  Expert Gary Olsen breaks down the principles of the LDAP search filter, making it easy for an admin to formulate whatever search he or she wants in Active Directory.  Continue Reading

• Remote Installation Services for Plug and Play capability

  Remote Installation Services lets Windows administrators deploy an OS throughout the enterprise without physically visiting each client computer.  Continue Reading

• Setting CD drive permissions in Windows XP for security reasons

  There may be times when you want to block the use of CD drives for security reasons. In Windows XP, you can.  Continue Reading

• Put an end to persistent Exchange Server Event ID 9548 errors

  Learn why bogus Event ID 9548 errors are a regular occurrence in Exchange 2000 and Exchange 2003 environments and get a Microsoft hotfix that resolves this common Exchange Server administration annoyance.  Continue Reading

• AccessChk utility audits user access to files and directories

  To maintain security, administrators often need to know what kind of accesses specific users or groups have to resources, including files, directories and registry keys. A tool called AccessChk can help answer those questions.  Continue Reading

• Four ways to secure SMTP servers and improve performance

  Weaknesses in your SMTP configuration can pave the way for DoS attacks and spammers. Discover four ways to secure SMTP services and limit spam.  Continue Reading

• Leave spread spectrum clocking disabled

  Many PC devices, most notably motherboards, hard drives and controllers, have spread spectrum clocking (SSC) functions to control how much electromagnetic interference (EMI) they put out. It's best to leave this feature disabled. Turning on SSC may ...  Continue Reading

• Active Directory LDAP scripting made simple

  It is important for every admin to have an understanding of LDAP when searching for information in Active Directory. Expert Laura E. Hunter breaks down the syntax into its component pieces and provides some essential tips for Active Directory ...  Continue Reading

• Does XP support multiple processor cores?

  Does Windows XP Home support multiple processor cores in a single physical processor? A look at Intel's Hyper-Threading technology and AMD's X2 dual core series may resolve the question.  Continue Reading

• Use Terminal Services Manager to manage users, sessions, processes

  If users are accessing servers using the Remote Desktop connection, the utility Terminal Services Manager can help you check which user is connected to a particular server and which processes he has started.  Continue Reading

• Certifications: The benefits of Microsoft and CompTIA certs

  In this series, expert Ed Tittel helps readers prepare for MCP exams and discusses what being certified with CompTIA and Microsoft can do for their careers.  Continue Reading

• Disable DNS client screening in Windows Server 2003

  There are pros and cons to a new DNS feature in Windows Server 2003 called client screening, which allows the server to determine and remember if a given DNS server is accessible.  Continue Reading

• Windows security update may cause shell extensions to fail

  Shell extensions in Windows can cause problems. Microsoft's MS06-015 security update includes a system component, VERCLSID.EXE, that validates shell extensions before they are installed. Unfortunately some shell extensions cause VERCLSID.EXE to ...  Continue Reading

• Best practices for running ForestPrep and DomainPrep

  ForestPrep and DomainPrep can be run either manually before Exchange Server is installed, or automatically during the Setup.exe process. Which option is right for you depends on the size and administrative security parameters of your organization.  Continue Reading

• Server plays key role in DPM deployment

  If you're thinking about deploying Microsoft Data Protection Manager to help with your backup, you need to take into account that certain servers cannot store the data that DPM will be protecting. You'll also need to consider disk space issues.  Continue Reading

• Patch testing on a budget

  While it is best to test patches prior to production, testing environments can be costly. This tip explains how to reduce these costs.  Continue Reading

• What to do when you lose your data – and how to recover it

  Understanding how the data recovery process works can help you the next time you lose important data.  Continue Reading

• How to change the Windows XP Product Activation Key Code

  Find out how to check if your Windows XP systems are using a leaked key, and how to change the product activation key if they are.  Continue Reading

• Optimize Exchange Server 2003 database maintenance

  Exchange Server 2003 automatically performs regular database maintenance by default, but you may need to manually adjust a few settings to achieve optimal results.  Continue Reading

• Forms-based authentication errors with OMA and ActiveSync

  You may experience several Event ID errors when using forms-based authentication with Exchange Server 2003 ActiveSync and Outlook Mobile Access. In this tip, SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains what they are and how to work ...  Continue Reading

• Downloadable Microsoft utility enables print server backup

  Losing a print server requires a quick fix. Fortunately Microsoft provides a downloadable utility to get your users printing again, even before you finish troubleshooting the print server.  Continue Reading

• Terminal Services: Multiple time zones and only one terminal server

  In this series, Expert Christa Anderson helps readers solve USB printer issues with Terminal Services, as well as configuring Remote Desktop Web for access through ISA.  Continue Reading

• Disabling guest accounts

  Intended for temporary users, guest accounts are an easy point of entry for hackers. Find out how to permanently disable them.  Continue Reading

• How will networked storage affect application performance?

  When it comes to networked storage, different applications require different approaches to performance tuning.  Continue Reading

• How to automatically purge Exchange-related logs

  If you aren't fortunate enough to have a lot of free disk space on hand, you may only want to keep logs you absolutely need, so you don't negatively impact performance. Learn how you can automate the process of purging HTTP, SMTP and UCE Archive ...  Continue Reading

• Free tool review: AccessChk permissions checker

  Administrators typically go to great lengths to make sure that network servers are secure. Mistakes do happen though. It is not uncommon for security groups to have overlapping or even contradictory permissions. Contributor Brien Posey reviews a ...  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook without Exchange Server -- an option for small businesses

  Using Microsoft Outlook with a POP3/SMTP Internet Service Provider (ISP) service is a cost-effective approach for small shops, but you do sacrifice helpful Exchange Server features like shared mail folders, contacts and calendars. Learn how you can ...  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

• Storage virtualization vendors: 10 questions to ask them

  Asking potential storage virtualization vendors the right questions is complicated because there are three approaches: server-based, SAN-based and controller-based.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft tool exposes WMI namespaces and properties

  One utility for generating code that can be used to work with WMI objects is a free tool from Microsoft called the WMI Code Creator. It is designed to make working with WMI namespaces as effortless as possible.  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

• Resetting the Windows XP unread mail count in Microsoft Outlook 2003

  Microsoft Outlook 2003 supports a feature that displays a count of any unread email messages on the Windows XP logon screen. This is a handy way to tell at a glance if you have email waiting. However, the feature sometimes gets out of sync and ...  Continue Reading

• StorPort storage driver fixes strange SAN problems

  A new version of Microsoft's Storport storage driver fixes problems on SANs that use removable storage devices connected through host bus adapters (HBAs).  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

• A Microsoft Outlook plain-text printing anomaly

  If you highlight part of a plain-text e-mail in Microsoft Outlook, you can't print just the selected text. But if you try to print a selected section of a rich-text e-mail in Microsoft Outlook, you can. SearchExchange.com contributor Serdar Yegulalp...  Continue Reading

• Active Directory Federation Services

  ADFS sounds complicated. Not so according to contributor Jonathan Hassell. Hassell steps you through the ADFS process, including what you'll need to make it work.  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

• Group Policy: Applying a 'master' set of policies in a non-AD environment

  In this series, expert Jeremy Moskowitz helps readers with such issues as using Group Policy to force all PC homepages to a specific Web site and using a registry key to monitor security template changes.  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

• 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

• 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

• Terminal Services: Issues dealing with Remote Desktop

  In this series, Terminal Services expert Christa Anderson helps readers with issues involving Remote Desktop, using a Windows 2000 terminal server in a Windows Server 2003 domain, and more.  Continue Reading

• Buying a PC? Consider CPU, video, disk space issues related to Vista

  Buying workstation hardware entails some tough decisions when the IT industry is in a transitional period, as it is because of the shift from 32-bit to 64-bit systems, and because the release of Windows Vista is less than a year away. Here are some ...  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

• MAPILab NNTP: A newsgroup reader for Microsoft Outlook

  Outlook Express, the stripped-down version of Microsoft Outlook, has a newsgroup reader in it. But, in what has to be one of the grander ironies imaginable, the full version of Microsoft Outlook does not. MAPILab NNTP is a tool that fills this ...  Continue Reading

• Large group membership can cause authentication failure

  Authentication failure is a sneaky problem that can show up in a variety of ways, but is always caused by the same issue. Expert Gary Olsen provides a few helpful tips for fixing this problem and keeping your groups authenticating correctly.  Continue Reading

• Buying a PC to run Vista? Consider CPU, memory issues

  Buying workstations entails tough decisions when the industry is in transition, as it is now, with the shift from 32- to 64-bit systems, as well as the upcoming release of Vista.  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

• Active Directory: Monitoring AD performance

  In this series, Active Directory expert Laura E. Hunter gives tips on monitoring AD usage and totaling users in a specified group. She also works out issues when trying to add a child domain in a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory.  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

• Purchasing workstation hardware during transitional times

  If you're buying workstation hardware, thinking back to the last transitional period in terms of operating systems and processors can help guide your purchasing decision.  Continue Reading

• Restrict ordinary users to create local accounts

  It is not a good idea to allow users to create additional accounts for themselves on their desktop machines. Here's a workaround to solve this problem.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft utility helps admins diagnose WMI services

  Microsoft created its WMI Diagnosis Utility to help experienced administrators learn about possible problems in a system's Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) setup.  Continue Reading

• How to enable automatic Exchange IMF updates via Microsoft Update

  Learn how Exchange Server 2003 SP2 and later can be set up to automatically obtain and install new versions of IMF through the Microsoft Update Web site.  Continue Reading

• Freeware offers backup solutions across a network

  A new open source program called Bacula allows administrators to manage backup and recovery, and also verify computer data across a network of computers.  Continue Reading

• An easier way to manage Microsoft Outlook distribution lists

  Distribution List Manager is a third-party program that alleviates many of the common problems associated with managing distribution lists in Microsoft Outlook.  Continue Reading