Win2000Mag UPDATE, February 22, 2000 [2/3]
Konstantin Gusev
- Full NTFS volume incorrectly marked dirty. We all know that we need
to keep at least 20 percent of a disk drive free for top performance,
but every now and then a disk fills up unexpectedly. In NT 4.0, when a
drive fills up and the file system can't allocate space for its
internal data structures (e.g., entries in the Master File Table--MFT--
or an index file), the file system incorrectly labels the full volume
dirty, even though no structural errors exist. Chkdsk runs every time
you reboot a system that has a full disk, so this bug, which applies to
all versions of NT 4.0, is an annoyance and a problem because you have
to wait for Chkdsk to complete before you can restart the system.
According to Microsoft Support Online article Q253229
(http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q253/2/29.asp),
data on a full volume retains its integrity, even when the drive is
full. If you're experiencing this problem, call Microsoft Support for
the February 2 release of ntfs.sys, which doesn't enable the dirty bit
when a disk is at capacity.
***WEB-EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES: You can read more about the following bugs
and how to fix them at
http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Content/8197_01.html.
- Network file transfer timeouts.
- RAS NetBIOS name resolution problem. When testing remote clients,
- A Windows Installer problem.
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5. ========== NEW AND IMPROVED ==========
(contributed by Carolyn Mascarenas, prod...@win2000mag.com)
* BOOST NT PERFORMANCE
SuperSpeed.com and Sunbelt Software released SuperBoost-NT, a software
suite that enhances the performance of Windows NT workstations and
servers. The suite combines Symantec's Norton Speed Disk, Sunbelt
Software's Auto Pilot, and SuperSpeed.com's SuperSpeed-NT. Norton Speed
Disk defragments and optimizes files, directories, Master File Table
(MFT), page file, and metadata without a reboot. AutoPilot is a
realtime tuning package that automatically and transparently detects
and eliminates system bottlenecks. SuperSpeed-NT is disk-caching
software that lets you use system memory as a hard disk to improve
access time to frequently accessed files.
SuperBoost-NT runs on NT and costs $149.95 for workstations and
$649.95 for servers. Volume discounts are available. Contact
SuperSpeed.com, 800-388-8872.
http://www.superspeed.com
* BACKOFFICE SERVER READINESS KIT
The BackOffice Server 4.5 Readiness Kit for Windows 2000 Server is a
CD-ROM kit and Web resource that contains the information and software
required to deploy Windows 2000 (Win2K) in your existing BackOffice
Server infrastructure. The kit includes the service packs required to
bring BackOffice Server 4.5 components into full compliance with Win2K,
step-by-step installation guides, and supplemental content on planning
your Win2K migration.
You can order the Readiness Kit on two CD-ROMs, or download it from
the Microsoft Web site. The kit is free to registered BackOffice Server
4.5 customers. Channel partners and resellers can order the kit in
quantity.
http://www.microsoft.com/backofficeserver
* 3-D PRESENTATIONS
Office3d.com announced Show3D 1.0, a 3-D transition plugin for
Microsoft PowerPoint that helps you create eye-catching transition
effects and realistic synchronized sounds for your presentations.
Show3D contains 46 templates with different 3-D transition effects, and
you can download many new templates each month, as they become
available. The 3-D Transition Wizard shows you how to create slides
with 3-D motion. The full-screen realtime preview function helps you to
edit the transition until you are satisfied with the results. Show3D
1.0 costs $39.95. Contact Office3d.com, in...@office3d.com.
http://www.office3d.com
* REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF DOCUMENTS, IMAGES, AND DATABASES
Visual Software announced docLibrarian, Web-based document and database
management software that lets you retrieve your documents and databases
anytime from anywhere. The software features a robust search engine so
you don't need to know how a document, file, or image is stored to be
able to find it. The software can function as a virtual file room for
companies with multiple office locations. The software lets you store
any type of document online and view the document in its original
format. The software provides three levels of record and document
security to limit access.
You can install docLibrarian as Internet, intranet, or extranet
software, or as a preconfigured server connected to a LAN. For pricing,
contact Visual Software, 888-493-8284.
http://www.doclibrarian.com
6. ========== HOT RELEASES (ADVERTISEMENT) ==========
* OPALISROBOT - MONITOR. MANAGE. AUTOMATE.
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* COMMVAULT GALAXY CURES NT BACKUP BLUES
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* NETMOVES OUTSOURCED ENTERPRISE FAX SERVICES
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* BINDVIEW'S WINDOWS 2000 MIGRATION SOLUTION
If you're migrating to Windows 2000, you will need a total migration
solution. To see how BindView's solutions can help you simplify your
migration to Windows 2000, visit our Web site at
http://www.bindview.com/win2000/Win2kMag01.html or call 1-800-749-8439.
7. ========== PICKS OF THE WEEK ==========
* BOOK HIGHLIGHT: MASTERING WINDOWS NT SERVER 4, SEVENTH EDITION
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This best-selling title was the first book to explain how to make
Windows NT work in an enterprise network. Written by Windows 2000
Magazine columnist Mark Minasi, this huge, 1650-page revised and
updated edition includes the best discussions of NT architecture and
TCP/IP in print. Mastering Windows NT Server 4 includes a comprehensive
150-page chapter about Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) and
hundreds of fixes, tricks, hints, and expert advice that system
administrators need to know.
For Windows 2000 Magazine UPDATE readers only--Receive an additional 10
PERCENT off the online price by typing WIN2000MAG in the referral field
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* HOT THREAD: LOTUS NOTES
The following text is from a recent threaded discussion on the Windows
2000 Magazine online forums (http://www.win2000mag.com/support).
February 21, 2000, 06:05 P.M.
Lotus Notes
I'm having a problem where Windows NT Server periodically reboots
itself. I've checked Event Viewer and there's a message saying that an
access violation occurred in Lotus Notes. I checked the Lotus Notes
site, and it says it's an NT problem. We're running Lotus Domino Server
4.6.3. Does anyone have similar symptoms?
Thread continues at
http://www.win2000mag.com/support/Forums/Application/Index.cfm?CFApp=69&Mess
age_ID=91881
* TIP: QUICK ACCESS TO A POPULAR ADMINISTRATOR KEY
(contributed by Colin Reed, to...@post4.tele.dk)
The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services key is
probably the key Windows NT administrators use most often. Instead of
going to Run, typing Regedit, and clicking through the entire Registry
Tree to get to this key, you can use a Windows Scripting Host (WSH)
script to access it quickly. Michael Harris posted this script in
response to a request I made for such a utility on the
microsoft.public.scripting.wsh usergroup.
The script requires the latest WSH 2.0 Beta, which you can download
from http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting. This script will work only
with Regedit--not Regedt32.
strKey = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services"
set sh = createobject("wscript.shell")
sh.run "regedit"
wscript.sleep 1000
'if already open, collapse tree to root...
'
for n = 1 to 16
sh.sendkeys "{LEFT}"
next
'expand the root
'
sh.sendkeys "{RIGHT}"
'parse strKey in nodes...
'
arNodes = split(strKey,"\")
'send each node to navigate to it
'then the right arrow key to expand it...
'
for each n in arNodes
sh.sendkeys n
sh.sendkeys "{RIGHT}"
next
Do you have a great tip for using Windows 2000 or Windows NT? Let the
UPDATE staff know about it at updat...@win2000mag.com. We will edit
all submissions for style, grammar, length, and technical accuracy.
Please include your full name and an email address where other UPDATE
readers can reach you.
* USER GROUP: PITTSBURGH SQL SERVER USERS GROUP
(contributed by Robin Hoye, ro...@win2000mag.com)
The Pittsburgh SQL Server Users Group is sponsored by Microsoft. This
group lets area users involved with SQL Server benefit from discussing
experiences and issues with other members. Currently, the group has
more than 200 members. Membership is free.
Contact: mi...@acedb.com
Meeting Date: The first Wednesday of every month
Meeting Location: Microsoft Office, 6 PPG Place, Suite 1120,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
http://www.acedb.com/pghssug/
To locate a user group near you and connect with Windows 2000 and
Windows NT professionals face-to-face, go to Windows 2000 Magazine's
Alliance of Windows 2000 and Windows NT Professionals site at:
http://www.win2000mag.com/AWNTP/
8. ========== WHAT'S ONLINE ==========
* INSTANT POLL
The voting has closed in Windows 2000 Magazine's nonscientific Instant
Poll for the question, "Do you read the README files that accompany
software?" Here are the results (+/-2 percent) from the 891 votes:
- 12% Always
- 35% Usually
- 42% Seldom
- 9% Never
The next Instant Poll question is, "How many members of your IT staff
are Microsoft certified?" Go to the Windows 2000 Magazine home page and
submit your vote for a) More than 90 percent, b) 50 to 90 percent,
c) Less than 50 percent, or d) None.
http://www.win2000mag.com