Knowledge Base for Windows

Description/Problem:
The migration process from Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 to the Microsoft SBS 2008 is not so easy. Sometimes is better to know about this procedure some more information, including practical hints how to solve known issues. This information may save you a lot of time.

Solution:
TechNET.com

Description/Problem:
Everybody who is using Microsoft Windows operating system knows what it means patching. Microsoft preparing every month new set of security patches related to MS Windows, Office and Internet Explorer. The best way how to perform patching is using Windows Update utility. What we can do if the system is not connected to the internet? We can use the offline DVD ISO image with monthly patches. The size of this image is often above 1 GB and that’s the problem if you need distribute this data around several systems. The next option is related to the 3rd party utilities which are able prepare list of missing patches, distribute patches to target systems and perform easy and fast installation of released patches. If you need this kind of tools then you can try the Windows Offline Update. It’s not the best one, but it’s easy, flexible and ready also for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.

Solution:
WSUS Offline Update.Net

Description/Problem:
Several months ago we published short topic about recommended hotfixes for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system connected to the Storage Area Network (SAN). We would like to draw your attention the list of the most important hotfixes related to the Microsoft Windows Server 2003/2008 operating system with active Cluster Service.

Solution:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 1)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Description/Problem:
I suppose that every administrator is very familiar with scripted system configuration gathering tool called Microsoft Product Support Reports (MPSR). We are using this tool in our daily life for creating the reports which we can use for deep analysis of critical system issues or attached as part of software calls managed by Microsoft Premier Support.

Download:
Microsoft.com

Description/Problem:
We have many freeware 3^rd party tools which offer a lot of possibilities how to check the system status and performance. Inside the operating system Windows Vista/7 and Windows Server 2008 exist also the same tool called Reliability and Performance Monitor. This tool provides report about the status of local hardware resources, system response times and processes on the local computer along with system information and configuration data. This report can help us to check the system status and also includes suggestions for ways to maximize system performance.

Solution:

• Open the command line (cmd) as Local or Domain Administrator
• Type command: “perfmon /report”

More information about this tool you can find on the TechNET.com.

Interesting information about new features of Windows 2008 Server R2, including Hyper-V and RDS virtualization, management, IIS and the new Web application platform.

Download:
Microsoft.com

Description/Problem:
Some weeks ago we used the HP Insight Server Migration Pack (HP ProLiant Server) for migration of server from old to new hardware. Migration process finished successfully and everything seems fine. After standard system checks and tests we identify small problem related to execution of some EXE files. Each try to execute EXE file failed with error message: Application error: The instruction at “0×10015026″ referenced memory at “0×00000000″. The memory could not be “read”.

Solution:
Based on our investigation we identify that problem is related to the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). We resolved the issue by running below script.

@echo on
cd /d c:\temp
if not exist %windir%\system32\wbem goto TryInstall
cd /d %windir%\system32\wbem
net stop winmgmt
winmgmt /kill
if exist Rep_bak rd Rep_bak /s /q
rename Repository Rep_bak
for %%i in (*.dll) do RegSvr32 -s %%i
for %%i in (*.exe) do call :FixSrv %%i
for %%i in (*.mof,*.mfl) do Mofcomp %%i
net start winmgmt
goto End
:FixSrv
if /I (%1) == (wbemcntl.exe) goto SkipSrv
if /I (%1) == (wbemtest.exe) goto SkipSrv
if /I (%1) == (mofcomp.exe) goto SkipSrv
%1 /RegServer
:SkipSrv
goto End
:TryInstall
if not exist wmicore.exe goto End
wmicore /s
net start winmgmt
:End

Description/Problem:
Many companies are using Symantec AntiVirus as default server security solution which offers high level of security against spreading malware. During our software call analysis we identify that some servers which crashed to the blue screen indicate problems with old version of Symantec SymEvent Driver. Good idea is to keep this driver up-to-date.

Solution:
Download of SymEvent Driver / Updating the SymEvent Files