Boris Vezmar's questions

I have one computer with kinda strange problem.

User notified me that all of a sudden some services that used to work, are not starting anymore. Those include: AU, Computer Browser, DHCP Client, Server, Secondary Logon, Workstation, Windows Audio...

I can start those services manualy, but when I restart computer they are not started, although they are set to automaticly start regularly.

I looked at the Event Viewer, and all the services have one common error in System. it's:

"xxx service failed to start due to the following error: The pipe state is invalid."

I tried doing windows repair, but didn't help. Everything's exactly the same.

When i asked him what's he been doing, he said, he was uninstalling some software but all regularly and it all went fine. After next restart this happened. Some software are Vmware server 2, recuva, some photoshop plugins and that's all he can remember.

I checked, and it's not a virus of any sort, computer is perfectly clean.

Any ideas people?

My problem is next. I am system admin in company of about 150 computers. All xp professional, all users. I can't afford to give anyone power user status because they're practically idiots, and will install all sorts of garbage.

But, in one department I have a need for driver installing abbility.

So my question to you is next. Is there any way to permit them to install drivers while staying in restricted "user" group?

there is no domain either.

thank you, Boris :)

On server which I'm using for WSUS 3, one day i found this:

The WSUS administration console was unable to connect to the WSUS Server Database.

Verify that SQL server is running on the WSUS Server. If the problem persists, try restarting SQL.

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException -- Cannot open database "SUSDB" requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE'.

Source .Net SqlClient Data Provider

Stack Trace: at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Internal.BaseApi.SoapExceptionProcessor.DeserializeAndT hrow(SoapException soapException) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Internal.DatabaseAccess.AdminDataAccessProxy.ExecuteSPG etTargetGroupById(Guid id) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Internal.BaseApi.ComputerTargetGroup.GetById(Guid id, UpdateServer updateServer) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.Internal.BaseApi.UpdateServer.GetComputerTargetGroup(Guid id) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.UI.AdminApiAccess.AdminApiTools.TestSqlConnection(IUpdateServer server) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.UI.AdminApiAccess.AdminApiTools.GetUpdateServer(String serverName, Boolean useSecureConnection, Int32 portNumber) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.UI.SnapIn.Scope.ServerSummaryScopeNode.GetUpdateServer(PersistedServerSettings settings) at Microsoft.UpdateServices.UI.SnapIn.Scope.ServerSummaryScopeNode.ConnectToServer() at Microsoft.UpdateServices.UI.SnapIn.Scope.ServerSummaryScopeNode.get_ServerTools()

I have no idea what the problem might be, 'cause my knowledge about DB's are minimal.

OS is Windows 2003 Server SP2, and nothing was changed or touched in server or system itself. Just one day, it didn't work anymore. Database is Microsoft SQL 2005

Any ideas?

I have some virus files being randomly created on root of a c: disk of one of my servers. How can I find out what created it? Some 3rd party software maybe?