Networking Tip #1

As a sys admin, checking out the Windows Event Manager is a daily chore. When there is a warning or error listed in one of the headings, we are given an Event ID that allows us to find the appropriate fix for the problem. Most often, there is a Knowledge Base article that corresponds with the Event ID that lists the steps to take that will fix the problem.

One way that I used to find information about Event IDs and Knowledge Base articles was using Google or another search engine. Just the other day I was turned on to a tip that lets me type the Event ID or Knowledge Base number into my Internet Explorer bar. Rather than having to sift through all of the other "findings" that a search engine gives me, this tip takes me directly to the article I am looking for.

Open up the registry for editing and scroll down to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchUrl

Create a new subkey called KB and under this subkey create a new string value with the folowing data:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=%s

Close the registry editor and open up Internet Explorer. In the address bar type KB 875357 (or any other Knowledge Base number) and the page will open. You can do the same thing for other search queries, for example EventID.net. Copy and paste the following into Notepad and save as SearchURL.reg and then import it into your registry.

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchUrl\KB]

@="http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=%s"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchUrl\ID]

@="http://eventid.net/display.asp?eventid=%s"

Hope this helps!

CAUTION - This tip involves making changes to the Windows Registry. If you are not familiar with doing this, please read up on this process prior to attempting to perform this edit. Making changes to the Windows Registry can cause problems for your computer.