How to enable connections to a SQL server on XP SP2
If you’re trying to use a Windows XP client computer with Service Pack 2 installed to connect to a SQL server, you may find yourself unable to connect. That’s because SP2 automatically turns on the Windows firewall, which by default blocks the ports that SQL uses. You can solve the problem by creating an exception in Windows firewall for SQL. Here’s how:
- Click Start | Run.
- In the Run box, type firewall.cpl
- Click OK
- In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab, then click Add a Program.
- In the Add Program dialog box, select an instance of SQL Server or browse to its location by clicking the Browse button. For example, the default instance of SQL Server 2000 is stored in Program FilesMicrosoft SQL ServerMssqlBinnSqlservr.exe.
If you’re using Multiprotocol, after creating the exception for each instance of SQL Server, you need to enable ports on the firewall and modify the registry after creating the exceptions. For instructions on how to do so, see KB article 841251 here.
Is there a way to “hide the evidence” of the terms you’ve searched for on Google? The short answer is yes – but how to do it depends on how you do your Google searches. If you search from the Google web site, the search terms that are saved in the dropdown box aren’t saved by Google itself, but by your Web browser. If you use IE, this is saved as a “form” (like other forms that you fill out on the Web). To get rid of the contents of this drop-down list, do the following:
- In IE, click the Tools menu and select Internet Options…
- Click the Contents tab.
- Click the AutoComplete button.
- Click the Clear Forms button.
Note that this will clear the autocomplete information saved by all Web forms, not just Google’s.
If you use the Google toolbar on your browser, it’s even easier. Just click the little down arrow on the toolbar right after the Google logo, and click Clear Search History.
How to configure file sharing in Windows XP
You know that you can share your files with other users on the network. But how do you manage different levels of access to your shared folders? And what are some of the problems that crop up with file sharing and how can you fix them? KB article 304040 explains how to use the Simple File Sharing interface, how to turn simple file sharing off, provides some guidelines for sharing files and tells you how to troubleshoot known problems. Link here.
How to perform a clean reboot so automatic services won’t interfere with games
Gamers may find that some of the programs Windows automatically starts when you boot up normally can interfere with certain games such as Flight Simulator, Halo, Age of Mythology and others. You can do a “clean reboot” that only loads basic services and devices by following the instructions in KB article 331796 here.
XP stops responding if you install Service Pack 2
Service Pack 2 has been out there for a while now, but if you haven’t yet done the upgrade, take note of this if your computer uses a VIA processor. Some models of this processor cause XP to hang up with a “Please wait …” message when you install Windows XP with SP2 or upgrade to SP2. There are workarounds; one of them involves editing the registry so be sure and back it up first. The instructions for both workarounds are in KB article 893356 here.
Computer hangs if maximum log file size is set incorrectly
If you change the maximum log size settings to their maximum and don’t apply the changes correctly, the log files can get too big, resulting in the use of too much memory which causes the system to hang. For instructions on how to set the log files correctly, and what to do if this happens to you, see KB article 329095 here.
Deb Shinder