Successfully Shrink Database Log File (*.ldf) in SQL 2005

This may also work in other versions of SQL, but I've not tested it.

First, back the database up. I'm assuming you can figure out the details of backing up. I normally backup to disk and create a new file for the backup in a set backup location/drive/disk.

Then, set the database to use simple backup mode, as seen in the drop-down list in the image below.

Finally, shrink the database, ensuring you select the Reorganize files... option. Select a minimum freespace of anywhere from 0 to 20. If it is low, you are likely to see some instant growth in your database. If it is too high, you're wasting space.

Connecting Windows 8 to SBS 2008/2011 RWW

If you are using Windows 8 and cannot connect to computers via  to SBS 2008 or 2011 Remote Web Workplace, the following may help.

It is likely that once logging in you can still access email via OWA and open the Internal Website, but you can't connect to internal computers.

This issue is (or will be) supposedly solved with an Update Rollup package, or you do the following in Internet Explorer to sort it out yourself:
- add your RWW site to Trusted sites,
- open the RWW site in compatibility mode.
After this, you will be able to connect to all computers.

References:
http://www.em-soft.si/myblog/elvis/?p=182

Great AD Management Tools

Solar Winds have some excellent free (you need to register though) tools to help get the mundane stuff done in AD.

• List old User Accounts
• List old Computer Accounts
• Bulk import User Accounts

This link came from my petri.co.il subscription, so you can see their details in it. I'm not sure how long Solar Winds will offer this either.

http://www.solarwinds.com/register/registrationb.aspx?program=1800&c=70150000000PH8s&CMP=BIZ-EML-PETRI-130214_Top5MicrosoftFT_Petri-MSFT-DL&email=%%EMAIL%%

Use Group Policy to Restrict Access to USB

To use Group Policy to restrict access to USB devices on your network, see the following:

http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/25619-blocking-usb-devices-and-removable-media

References:
http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/25619-blocking-usb-devices-and-removable-media

Sweet Java Install Automation

Check out http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/22997-use-a-batch-file-and-group-policy-to-cleanly-update-java?utm_source=swemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=resource for a sweet Java install/update method using GP and scripts.

Reference:
http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/22997-use-a-batch-file-and-group-policy-to-cleanly-update-java?utm_source=swemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=resource

Symantec Endpoint Protection Has Detected Pending Changes

When installing Symantec Endpoint Protection, sometimes you will see an error message that "Symantec Endpoint Protection has detected that there are pending system changes that require a restart", but a restart does not fix the issue.

In that case, do the following:

Delete the registry key: "PendingFileRenameOperations" in "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager".

References:
http://www.symantec.com/connect/forums/win7-issue-symantec-endpoint-protection-has-detected-there-are-pending-system-changes-require

Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager 11 - Unable to Communicate with Reporting Component

• If you are on a 32-bit OS, skip the next step.
• If you are on a 64-bit OS, first go to 32-bit ODBC Control Panel. To do this do the following:

Go to %systemroot%\Windows\SysWoW64 folder (Example - Click Start -> Run -> C:\Windows\Syswow64 and click on OK)

Locate Odbcad32.exe & double click on the file

Click on System DSN Tab

You will find the "SymantecEndpointDSN" listed in the window.

Now click on the CONFIGURE button and proceed with the configuration of the DSN for the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager 

• Open ODBC (using instructions above if on a 64-bit OS), then do the following:

Select Configure on the SymantecEndpointSecurityDSN 

Under the LOGIN tab set it to Supply User ID and password and type:
User ID: dba
Password: Login password to the SEPM 

Under the DATABASE tab configure these options:
Server Name: Name of Server
Database Name: sem5 (if you are using the embedded database) 

Under the NETWORK tab configure these options:
Check TCP/IP and enter: "host=IPAddressofServer" without the quotes. 

Now test connection. You should receive Connection Successful.

References:

http://www.symantec.com/connect/forums/unable-connect-reporting-component-symantec-endpoint-protection-mr2

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH103990