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6.3.2009

How to disable ADMIN$

If you ever try to stop sharing ADMIN$ (C:\Windows) you find yourself seeing that this same share is available after restart.

To permanently disable administrative shares:

ADMIN$     (C:\Windows)

C$        (C:\)

You need to edit Registry

For NT 4.0/W2K/Windows Server 2003s

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

Name:         AutoShareServer

Data Type:     REG_DWORD

Value:         0

 

For NT 4.0 Workstation/W2K Pro/XP Pro

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

Name:         AutoShareWks

Data Type:     REG_DWORD

Value:         0

 

If you can't find the value in the registry under the exact location, value must be created

right click in the right pane of the window > New > DWORD Value

 

Some applications depend on the presence of these shares

To re-enable the shares simply change value to 1

Posted at 10:54 by Nikola Simonović | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

18.12.2008

How To Reset the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Account Password in Windows Server 2003

To Reset the DSRM Administrator Password follow these steps

  1. Click, Start, click Run, type ntdsutil, and then click OK.
  2. At the Ntdsutil command prompt, type set dsrm password.
  3. At the DSRM command prompt type reset password on server null.

The null variable assumes that the DSRM password is being reset on the local computer.

To reset the password for another server, type reset password on server "servername", where servername is the DNS name for the server on which you are resetting the DSRM password.

  1. Type the new password when you are prompted
  2. At the DSRM command prompt, type q.
  3. At the Ntdsutil command prompt, type q to exit.
Posted at 13:00 by Nikola Simonović | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
How To perform offline defragmentation of the Active Directory database
  1. First thing you should do is backup Active Directory database.
  • At the command prompt type Ntbackup.

This tool is used to back up and restore Active Directory (as well as other services) so that you can restore data or system components in the event of some unforeseen or inadvertent failure.

  • On the Tools menu, click Backup Wizard
  • Click Next, click Only back up the System State data, and then click Next
  • Designate where you want to save the System State data, click Next, and then click Finish
  • When you are done setting options, click Finish
  1. Reboot the domain controller, and press F8 to display the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
  2. Choose Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only) and press ENTER. Press ENTER again to start the boot process.
    1. Log on using the Administrator account with the password defined for the local Administrator account in the offline SAM.
    2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt. At the command prompt, type ntdsutil, and then press ENTER.
    3. Type files, and then press ENTER.
    4. Type info, and then press ENTER. This displays current information about the path and size of the Active Directory database and its log files. Note the path.
    5. Establish a location that has enough drive space for the compacted database to be stored.
    6. Type compact to "drive lettet":\"directory", and then press ENTER, where drive letter and directory is the path to the location you established in the previous step.

Note

You must specify a directory path. If the path contains any spaces, the entire path must be surrounded by quotation marks. For example, type:

compact to "c:\new folder"

A new database named Ntds.dit is created in the path you specified.

  1. Type quit, and then press ENTER.
  2. Type quit again to return to the command prompt.

If defragmentation succeeds without errors, follow the Ntdsutil.exe on-screen instructions.

  1. Delete all the log files in the log directory by typing the following command:

del "drive letter" :\ "pathToLogFiles" \*.log (By default C:\WINDOWS\NTDS\)

  1. Copy the new Ntds.dit file over the old Ntds.dit file in the current Active Directory database path that you created

Note

You do not have delete the Edb.chk file.

Restart the computer normally.

Posted at 12:57 by Nikola Simonović | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8.8.2008

How to prevent disable action on LAN connection?
Yes of course I have accidentally disabled LAN conncetion while being conected to remote server.
An I decided to prevent any further stupid move like this. How? Easy, just change two settings in GPO for AD or Local Policy for Workgroup:
  • In GPEDIT, go to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections.
  • Change "Ability to Enable/Disable a LAN connection" to Disabled
  • Change "Enable Windows 2000 Network Connections settings for Administrators" to enabled. Enabling this policy enforces the restrictions, even for Administrators, in Windows XP

Of course in AD environment you can do this with GPO, and deploy it to your Server environment. But if you realy need option to disable network connection, from local logon, you can disable and enable network adapter from Device Manager.

Be smart, not dumb like me.   

Posted at 19:41 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

30.4.2008

How to convert IPv4 to IPv6 (easy way)
If you are thinking to migrate your network environment to Windows Server 2008 and planning to use maybe Exchange 2007 or other IPv6 "aware" products be careful not to disable IPv6. Instead use some online IP converter to recalculate your IPv4 to IPv6.
Here is my recomendation:
 
Posted at 9:34 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

29.4.2008

Slooooooooow Vista RDP to some computers?
Recently I've found that when connecting to some computers trough Windows Vista remote desktop (on LAN), connection was sooo slow that it was unusable. Actualy problem is within Vista network interface autotunning, and simple netsh command disabled the feature, and after that RDP was fast once again.
If you are experiencing similar issue, open command prompt and type:
 
netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
 
For more information visit http://blogs.msdn.com/wndp/archive/2007/07/05/receive-window-auto-tuning-on-vista.aspx
Posted at 14:02 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007

Is set of comprehensive guidance and tools from Microsoft to optimally deploy Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system
This solution accelerator provides tools that enable IT professionals to:

  • Create a software and hardware inventory to assist in deployment planning.
  • Test applications for compatibility and mitigate the compatibility issues discovered during the process.
  • Set up an initial lab environment with deployment and imaging servers.
  • Customize and package applications.
  • Automate desktop image creation and deployment.
  • Ensure that the desktop is hardened to improve security within the environment.
  • Manage processes and technologies to produce a comprehensive and integrated deployment.

BDD contains guidance, sample templates, and technology files (such as scripts and configuration files). It presents deployment guidance as feature team guides that thoroughly explain each deployment process.

More info and download is available at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490308.aspx

Posted at 13:58 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
VMRC Plus is here
For all of you that dislike UI of Virtual Server 2005, check out the new VMRC Plus.

Here is a list of features:

  • Does not require IIS to be installed locally
  • Local or remote management of hosts (uses current credentials for access)
  • Connect to multiple hosts at once
  • Tabbed interface to quickly jump between Virtual Server hosts
  • Advanced VMRC client with tabbed interface and access to all available configuration options for a running guest.
  • Reusable saved states: this feature allows users to preserve a particular saved state and return to that state at any time.
  • Multiple guest selection supported for startup/shutdown/save/display.
  • Browse button navigation for media, hard disk images, ISO images, .VMC files, etc.
  • Drag and Drop support for .VMC files, ISOs images, VHD and VFD files.
  • Resizable desktop support for guests running Virtual Machine Additions (maximize VMRC window supported).
  • Limited cut and paste of text from host to guest (only).
  • A built-in utility to take JPG screenshots of running guests.
  • Built-in error notification with Virtual Server eventlog viewer.
  • A Virtual Networks Manager and Virtual Disks Manager that cover all features.
  • Keyboard shortcuts (e.g. Ctrl-S to save state a guest).
  • Create multiple guests at once.
  • Create guest from parent (or multiple guests)!
  • Automatic reconnect to a designated Virtual Server host.
  • Toolbars in both Guest and Console Manager for quick access.
  • Unlimited number of guests.
  • Maximum of 32 Virtual Server hosts.
  • Sorting on columns of guests so you can sort based on status and multi-select.
  • Automatic detection of Virtual Machine Additions and notification.
  • Detection of Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1.

More info and download is available at Robert Larson blog

Posted at 13:56 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
Windows Server 2003 help service is missing
After you upgrade a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 computer to with Service Pack 2, Help and Support is missing when you click Start and Help. Additionaly you will be prompted with this error message:
Windows cannot open Help and Support because a system service is not running. To fix this problem, start the service named 'Help and Support'.
However, when you start the Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in, the Help and Support service is not listed.
To resolve this problem, reinstall the Help and Support service.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. At the command prompt, locate the following folder:
    %windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries
  3. At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each command:
    • HelpSvc.exe /regserver /svchost netsvcs /RAInstall
    • HSCUpd.exe -i hscmui.cab
    • HSCUpd.exe -i hscsp_l3.cab  or (-i hhscsp_e3.cab)
Posted at 13:55 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
Windows Server 2008 Core Guide
For those of you that want to dig into Server Core Microsoft has offered a comlete step by step guide:
 
 
 
The guide covers how to do most everything with Server Core, from initial configuration, role installation to command line and remote manage server.
Posted at 13:52 by Bojan Buhač | Category: Windows Server | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
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