Category: Vista

SQL Server and Vista – Create Database permission denied

While I am a fan of Vista and UAC, I have to admit there are times when other applications really cause it to be annoying, tonight it was SQL Express causing me pain.  I wanted to try one of Microsoft sample’s, so I downloaded the zip, extracted it, loaded Visual Studio 2008 and hit F5.  At this point, the debugger stepped in and told me there was an error opening the database connection. 

“CREATE DATABASE permission denied in database ‘master’.rnAn attempt to attach an auto-named database for file <>App_DataMyDB.mdf failed. A database with the same name exists, or specified file cannot be opened, or it is located on UNC share.”

To create a database on SQL you need local admin permissions, as the application was automatically attaching the database I had to run Visual Studio as Administrator before I could execute it.  Just find it a bit annoying that you need access to Master to attach a SQL Express database as the whole point is for it to be zero friction.

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remote desktop using both monitors without additional software

Liam Westley had a very interesting post today where he mentioned using the /span property on mstsc (Remote Desktop client) to enable dual screen remote desktop.  One of the things I hate about remote desktop when I connect to my work machine is that I can only use one monitor, this solves the problem.

To activate this, you need to run mstsc from the command problem:

C:WindowsSystem32mstsc.exe /span

More information can be found on technet where it says the switch “Matches the Remote Desktop width and height with the local virtual desktop, spanning across multiple monitors if necessary”

One annoyance, any window with the position set to centre screen will end up in the split between my two monitors.

Hope you find it useful…

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Disabling Secure Desktop without disabling UAC

While at TechEd, I noticed one or two of the speakers had a different setup with UAC. When the UAC was activated their screen would not flicker and go black, instead just the UAC dialog would appear.

I like UAC, I think its important when an admin action is about to be executed and I like the way applications now work without administration permissions being required. However, I do find the flicking annoying.

A quick search on Google, I found that it’s secure desktop which causes the flicking to occur, or should I say is the reason why the flicker occurs.  Secure desktop only allows trusted processes running as SYSTEM to be executed  It has been explained in more detail here.

However, this does make your system less secure as part of making UAC secure is the secure desktop which blocks malicious applications running.  By removing this layer, you are opening your system up to attack.  In one of the talks at TechEd, Michael Howard said how important the different layers are within Vista security.  But, if this stops you turning off UAC completely, then its a good thing.

To disable secure desktop, load the Local Security Policy (type it in the start menu) and under Local Policies > Security Options there is an option to disable “Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation”.

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You will now have a very different UAC experience.

More information: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/make-user-account-control-uac-stop-blacking-out-the-screen-in-windows-vista/

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