Finding Tools in Windows 2000

One primary rule of software development seems to be that the interface needs to change between versions. Windows 2000 (Win2K) is no exception. When you switch to Win2K, you'll notice that Microsoft has moved many administrative tools. Here are directions for finding the seven most commonly used administrative tools in Win2K.

7. Data Sources

The first tool you'll probably need to find is ODBC Administrator, which you use to create data sources for ODBC-based applications. In Windows NT, you open ODBC Administrator by selecting Start, Settings, Control Panel, ODBC Data Sources. In Win2K, you click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Data Sources (ODBC). Or, you can click Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Data Sources (ODBC).

6. Disk Management

In NT, you find Disk Administrator by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools (Common), Disk Administrator. You can find its Win2K replacement, Disk Manager, by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Storage, Disk Management.

5. Network Protocols

In NT, you find the tools to configure your network adapters and protocols by clicking the Control Panel Network applet. You can find the Win2K protocol configurations by clicking Start, Settings, Network and Dial-up Connections. Right-click Local Area Connection, and select Properties to configure your network settings.

4. Event Viewer

The System, Application, and Security event logs, which you use to monitor SQL Server's status and other system information, are among the few administrative tools that haven't moved. In NT and Windows 2000 Server (Win2K Server), you can find these logs at Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer. Event Viewer is also part of the Computer Management Microsoft Management Console (MMC).

3. Performance Monitor

In NT, you open Performance Monitor by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools (Common), Performance Monitor. In Win2K, you open Performance Monitor by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Performance. Performance Monitor is also part of the Computer Management MMC.

2. Controlling Services

Most of the changes in Win2K make the administrative tools one level deeper in the interface than they are in NT. Services are no exception. You set NT Services by clicking the Control Panel Services applet. In Win2K, you click Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Services. Services are also part of the Computer Management MMC.

1. Users and Groups

One of the biggest changes in Win2K is its user management. To create a local user in NT, you open User Manager by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools (Common), User Manager. In Win2K, you find User Manager by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, System Tools, Local Users and Groups.