IT Professional’s tips

Disable the original Administrator account

In Windows Server 2003, for the first time, you CAN disable the Administrator account.   My point is that every hacker knows that Windows has a username called Administrator, so defend it by disabling the account. (Right Click the Administrator, Disable)  Obviously you must create another account with administrative privileges.

There are two variations of this tip.

a) You could disable the account from logging on across the network

b) You could rename the account and create a dummy administrator to confuse would be hackers

Remote Desktop

The idea is to connect to the Windows Server 2003 from your XP Desktop.  Configure Remote Desktop from the System Icon, Remote (tab), Remote Desktop.  This will save you that long walk to the server room. 

When you are logged on to your XP machine go to Accessories, Communication, Remote Desktop connection.  Incidentally, remote desktop was voted the top reason to migrate to XP and here it is on Server 2003.

a) Start, Help and Support, Troubleshooting Strategies (Bullet point 5)  Here is a wonderful selection of tools to lead you methodically through a problem.  Each hardware device will have its own troubleshooters.  They are excellent for making sure you have not overlooked something obvious.

b) Start, Help and Support, Error and Event Log Messages.  Just type in the error message which you find in the Event Viewer, make sure you are on line, and Microsoft will help diagnose the cause and a solution.

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