Server 2003: Event ID 53258 MS DTC

You may see this warning in your application event logs on Server 2003 domain controllers:

MS DTC could not correctly process a DC Promotion/Demotion event. MS DTC will continue to function and will use the existing security settings. Error Specifics: %1

The fix for this one is rather odd, as it doesn't require you to actually change anything, just open a dialog and hit OK, although it certainly changes something.

Open up Component Services from Administrative Tools. Expand Component Services, expand computers, right-click My Computer and click properties. Open the MSDTC tab and then hit OK. Strange, I know, but it works. You need to restart the Distributed Transaction Coordinator as well.

Server 2003 "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file."

I've been getting this on a lot of my servers lately. I think a recent update to the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security configuration has caused it. Basically, any file that ends up on the server via a network share or through internet explorer cannot be run. It just says: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file.".

I was able to fix it by disabling Internet Explorer Enhanced Security mode. Alternatively, I think adding the local server name to the IE trusted sites should fix it as well.

To disable IE Enhaced Security mode, open Add/Remove Programs, click on Add/Remove Windows Components, uncheck Internet Explorer Enhanced Security and click next.