Ask Paula!

How do I fix the error: CS1548: Cryptographic failure while signing assembly ?

2011-11-11T10:36:14-05:00:00

The full error in Microsoft Visual Studio on a compile looks like this:

error CS1548: Cryptographic failure while signing assembly 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Samples\Analysis Services\Programmability\AMO\AMOAdventureWorks\CS\StoredProcedures\obj\Debug\StoredProcedures.dll'

This is likely due to a missing strong key pair value file. The easiest way to solve this problem is to create a new one. Navigate to:

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010>Visual Studio Tools>Visual Studio x64 Win64 Command Prompt (2010) [if you aren't on an x64 box, pick another command prompt option that fits]

Once the MS-Dos window displays, type in this statement:

sn -k c:\SampleKey.snk

Then copy the output *.snk file to project directory, or the *referenced directory.

Remove the old reference to the *.snk file from the project.

Add the paired key back to the project as an existing item.

When you add back the *.snk file to the project, you will see that the *.snk file is no longer missing.

Our work is done!

*referenced directory: Pay attention to the original error message on compile. The *.snk file that is referenced may be in a directory path you aren't expecting--so you will still get the error unless you change the directory path or write the file to the directory the program is expecting to find the *.snk file.

How do I run (execute) a .bin file in Linux (Ubuntu) ?

2011-11-10T20:31:10-05:00:00

If you are on a desktop version of Ubuntu, you can right-click on the file icon, click the permissions tab and click on "allow execution". If you are on a server copy without the desktop bells and whistles (or you would rather work with a command line in a terminal window), then do the following:

sudo chmod +x myProgram.bin

after you enter your password and get the prompt back type:

./myProgram.bin

How do I remove a named instance of sql server 2008 on the same mssql server?

2011-11-03T02:28:31-04:00:00

I recently needed to work with SSIS on my laptop with an existing SQL Server 2008 Express instance. I did not setup the service accounts correctly on the SQL Server 2008 Development install--so needed to remove the corrupt install.

There doesn't appear to be much documentation on this—well, if there is, then I didn't key in the best search criteria! Anyway, the removal of a named 2008 instance is an easy set of steps, although nervous-making--since you'll be uninstalling Microsoft SQL Server 2008 without any initial guidance.

Here are the steps you will need to take:

1. Navigate to Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs

2. Select Microsoft SQL Server 2008

3. Select Change/Remove

4. Select Remove

You will be asked for a specific instance. This is where you type in the name of the instance you want to remove. DON'T get click happy on what to de-install. Click ONLY on the items that specify your named instance. LEAVE all the SHARED features. If you delete them, you'll corrupt your other installations on that server.

How do I create and access another sql server db using linked server in SQL Server?

2011-10-31T14:42:08-04:00:00

For a full explanation and step-by-step guide to setup a linked server through Sql Management Studio (SMS), check out this reference:

http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/article.php/3691721/Setting-up-a-Linked-Server-for-a-Remote-SQL-Server-Instance.htm

Here it is in a nutshell: If you are setting up a linked server for another sql server 2005/2008 box, just remember to (1) name the Linked server the same name as its network name, (2) select and provide under the security option ,"Be made using this security context" , the remote login/password combo (usually a service account living in active directory) and (3) set the server options rpc,rpdc out,data access, remote collation to True. That's it! No need to worry about provider, connection strings,etc.

Here's an example on how to retrieve data from a table using the linked server reference once it is established from an interactive query window in SMS:

select * from [MYSQLSERVERHOSTNAME].[DBInstanceName].[SchemaName].[TableName]

How do I know what version of Ubuntu I am running?

2011-10-26T16:47:12-04:00:00

From the terminal type:

lsb_release -a

How do I get a listing of all DB instances and table names where a column name occurs in MS SQL Server?

2011-10-26T15:46:25-04:00:00

I've been there! You are at a client site and you know you need certain data elements but aren't certain how many databases on a given server ...or ... which tables the data elements you are interested in might appear.

Here's a single statement when executed from any SMS query connection that will get you there:

EXEC sp_msforeachdb '
DECLARE @pattern nvarchar(100)
SET @pattern = ''%elementName%''
IF EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM [?].information_schema.columns WHERE column_name LIKE @pattern)
BEGIN
    SELECT ''?''
    SELECT table_catalog,table_name, column_name
    FROM [?].information_schema.columns
    WHERE column_name LIKE @pattern
END '

How do I get access to DB2 from my .NET applications?

2011-09-13T14:08:05-04:00:00

You have at least 2 choices:

Source 1: SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=3522

... this includes Microsoft OLEDB Provider for DB2

Source 2: Available from IBM, is the IBM I Access pack

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/i/software/access/cafaq.html

Remember, whichever one you use, you will need to specifiy which libraries under the detail/advance settings in ODBC.

Why Won't the Relationship Lines in Visio 2010 Connect to Anything?

2011-09-13T13:14:33-04:00:00

That is a very good question..to which only Microsoft has the answer!:-) In the meantime, suffice it to say that every once in awhile, Visio loses track of your Glue/SnapTo settings which you'll need to restore. Here's what to do:

1. In Visio, navigate to "Home", open "View", expand "Visual Aids"
2. Once in "Visual Aids", Check or Re-Check the "Glue"box.
3. Under the "Snap To" category, be sure shape intersections, shape handles, shape vertices,
and connection points are all checked.
4. Under the "Glue To" category, make sure the shape handles, shape vertices,
and connection points are all checked.

That's it!

SQL Server: UPDATE Statement Basics

2011-08-29T15:30:19-04:00:00

The last thing anyone wants to do is mess up an UPDATE statement! Here's a quick refresher for those of you using SQL Server:

Simplest case (a single row, in a single table with a single known value in a column):

UPDATE YourTableName
SET Column1 = ‘NewValue’
WHERE SameOrOtherColumn = ‘OldValue’

Most common case (multiple rows, using another table as the source data with multiple columns):

UPDATE YourTableName
SET ColumnX = OtherTable.Column1,
ColumnY = OtherTable.Column2
FROM OtherTable
WHERE YourTableName.Column1 = OtherTable.Column1

Advanced case (multiple rows, multiple tables reliant on a subquery)

UPDATE Target_Table
   SET col2 = z.colB,
       col3 = z.colC,
       col4 = z.colD,
       col5 = z.colE
     FROM
       (select x.col_a,
               x.col_b,
               y.col_b,
               y.col_b
            from tbl_1 x, tbl_2 y
           where x.col_c = y.col_c
        ) z
     WHERE Target_Table.col1 = z..colA

Think relational algebra for this implementation--basically, what you are doing in the subselect is gathering the data you need from the necessary tables, then redefining the results as 'z'. Once you've done that, you are assigning the target columns the values retrieved back from your subquery.

SQL Server: How Can I search for a specific text value in all the stored procedures?

2011-08-29T15:01:45-04:00:00

To quickly look through your stored procedure objects for a text value in a database instance, do the following:

use [Metro]
go

SELECT ROUTINE_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.ROUTINES
WHERE ROUTINE_DEFINITION LIKE '%whatyouarelookingfor%'
AND ROUTINE_TYPE = 'PROCEDURE'

Now, this is no replacement for a configuration management repository, but it will do in a pinch. BTW, remember this sql statement does NOT transcend all databases on the server, just a single db instance.

How do I restore a SQL Server database from a backup *.bak file?

2011-07-11T19:34:01-04:00:00

If you aren't sure what is actually in the backup file, or even if you think you are sure--execute this statement from a fresh query window:

RESTORE FILELISTONLY
FROM DISK = 'X:\MDD\Clients\Lg\H4\H4L.bak'

The information about the mdf/ldf files will show up looking like this:

In this example, I was restoring a client's database to one of my servers--so I had to 'MOVE' the location paths to represent the drives I had available. If I were restoring to the same location, I would NOT have needed the 'MOVE' condition.

RESTORE DATABASE HumRes4
FROM DISK = 'X:\MDD\Clients\Lg\H4\H4.bak'
WITH REPLACE, MOVE 'Final_LM_Data' TO 'F:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data\HumRes4.MDF',
MOVE 'Final_LM_Log' TO 'G:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data\HumRes4_Log.LDF'

Why does Eclipse say Another Transaction is Already in Progress when I Deploy my Google Application?

2011-07-02T21:32:21-04:00:00

The message may also say something line:

Unable to update app: Error posting to URL: https://appengine.google.com/api/appversion/create?app_id=metro-stockwatch&version=1&
409 Conflict

Another transaction by user Your.Name is already in progress for app: your-appName, version: x. That user can undo the transaction with "appcfg rollback".

Basically this means that in the midst of your previous deployment of the application, the process was interrupted. The Google SDK interprets this as a deployment that must be rolled back. There is no resolution to this without locating where your \bin directory containing the appcfg.sh or appcfg.cmd file exists in order to rollback the corrupt deployment.

Since I am working on a windows box when this happened to me, here is where I found the appcfg.cmd file:

C:\Program Files\Eclipse\eclipse\plugins\com.google.appengine.eclipse.sdkbundle.1.3.8_1.3.8.v201010161055\appengine-java-sdk-1.3.8\bin\

Look for your application--more specfically, look for a directory called WEB-INF. In my app, WEB-INF resides under the \war directory. Here it is as an example:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\workspace\StockWatcher\war

Open up a windows command window or execute cmd from Run (Start>All Programs; Run; type: cmd). Execute the command: appcfg rollback your-appName by wrapping the location of where the appcfg.cmd file exists, and wrapping the location of root of where you found the WEB-INF directory. This should correct your previously corrupt deployment. See the screenshot below as an example of the command line and of the expected message displays. BTW, if you don't work with dos windows much, remember to include the quotation marks "" as you see them. Windows needs the quote to deal with "Documents and Settings" and "Program Files". If you forget the quotation marks, you may see an error message that indicates a file or directory is not found.

Why does my browser take me to Scour.com? (redirect virus)

2011-06-29T19:58:10-04:00:00

The "scour" or Rootkit.Win32.TDSS virus has a long history which can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scour

Here is the primary symptom: after searching for something in your web browser using google, one of the results that you click on redirects you to scour.com.

If you've executed ClamWin, Malwarebytes, McAfee, Norton, etc. to find and isolate the virus without any luck--this isn't really a surprise, since this virus attaches to existing system drivers.

I only know of one reliable package that will remove this without ill effects--like adding new spyware. This package is called TDSSKiller. I have seen multiple websites that claim to have this software available, but the one that I know is reliable is located here:

http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684

Once you go to Kaspersky's tech support site, the TDSSKiller zip file is available for downloading.

When you execute this software, you will be able to "cure" or repair the infected driver. Remember to jot down the name of the driver for future reference--should you need to reinstall the driver from a "same-as" working computer, or your install disk if the repair is ineffective. The driver that happened to get infected on my computer was the tcpip.sys driver. This caused my win sockets to loose their ip addresses. In most other instances, less critical drivers such as HDAudBus.sys are infected. In my case, I was not through correcting my computer problems until I corrected the broken WinSock issue and loaded an earlier version of the tcpip.sys driver from: C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 which I placed in: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers

Don't forget to reboot your computer after your repair!

Once you download TDSSKiller and cure/repair your infected driver(s), the redirect on google searches should disappear .

What happened to my Entity Framework (edmx) File?

2011-06-14T18:33:24-04:00:00

If you're like me, you've probably clicked/clacked, docked/undocked the window with the edmx file while you were working on it in visual studio without intending to--and now, the entity diagram is gone and you are unable to open the file again from the solution window!

Luckily, the edmx file is just another visually displayed xml file. From the solution window, right click on the edmx file -- select "Open with..." -- choose Xml . Once you see the xml for the edmx file close it. Go back to the solution window, then double click on the edmx file. It should now come up presenting the default ER diagram.

Why do I get the error: Specified Named Connection is either not found in the configuration for the EntityClient Provider?

2011-06-14T16:22:39-04:00:00

The chances are pretty high that you are creating a multi-tiered application with a solution that may be calling several different projects, one of which is the ADO.NET Entity Framework DAO-layer. In order for the entity frame work to work outside the immediate project that its been created under, you'll have to import the connection string built by the EF wizard at create time to your other project's application or web config file.

Here's an example. I have two projects under a single solution, 1 project is a test driver console app called RetroCar.Test.EF. This project depends on a data access layer project called: RetroCarEntityFramework. Even though RetroCar.Test.EF is just a simple unit test console app without an obvious need for a config file, I still need to import the connection string used in RetroCarEntityFramework in order for the test driver application not to bomb out. The best way to do this is just go to the project RetroCar.Test.EF and add a new application config file item, then cut and paste the connection string from RetroCarEntityFramework into that. Recompile. This should fix the trouble.

If your woes drill down in the trenches of EF further, check out this thread on the topic:

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/adodotnetentityframework/thread/f5904b4d-b2f8-421e-90de-339f93959533

System.Data.OracleClient is missing or has been depricated. How do I fix this?

2011-06-07T17:26:26-04:00:00

Yes, Microsoft is getting quite a reputation for abandoning or deprecating it's data access products/libraries. One thing you can do is download a 3rd party product called dotConnect by DevArt. The express edition is free.

http://www.devart.com/dotconnect/oracle/download.html

... however, if you are working in a shop that doesn't like its development team to use not well known third party tools, there's an alternative--but it still requires that you go to a non-microsoft source. Use Oracle.DataAccess.dll with the Oracle Data Provider .NET (ODP.NET) client installed. This can be found on Oracle's website:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/dotnet/index-085163.html

For now, System.Data.OracleClient still works, however Microsoft's deprecation message on compile is a warning to you that the feature will eventually be phased out completely--and although works, may not actually be supported.

Why is Vista so Slow when Browsing (Surfing) the Web?

2011-06-04T00:44:40-04:00:00

Vista has an auto tuning feature which is hit and miss, depending on what network appliances/cards/devices you've got hooked up. Try this:

1. Navigate to Start>Programs>Accessories>MS Command

2. Type: netsh interface tcp show global

3. Look the line for receive window auto tuning. If it says highlyrestricted type this command (all on one line):

netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=restricted

4. Try browsing, if it isn't any better, enter the same command like, just change restricted to disabled. Try browsing again, if there is still no improvement, change disabled to normal.

For those of you interested in the techie details, check out this blog:

TechNet CableGuy

How Do I Change a Database Instance Name in SQL Server?

2011-05-27T16:38:26-04:00:00

Ten minutes ago I created a scratch db instance with a name I mistyped. Not good! Fortunately, I have admin privileges so I can change it in my lab environment. If you're an admin AND no other users are accessing the DB instance, here's what you can do:

USE master
go
EXEC sp_renamedb 'MetroWrongName', 'MetroRightName'
GO

If someone is using the instance, there is a workaround. Do this:

USE master
go

-- flag the instance for single user only

EXEC sp_dboption 'MetroWrongName','Single User', True
GO

-- make the name change with the rename sproc
EXEC sp_renamedb 'MetroWrongName', 'MetroRightName'
GO

-- flag the newly named instance back to mulitusers

EXEC sp_dboption 'MetroRightName','Single User', False
GO

How do I Disable FireFox's Browser Cache COMPLETELY?

2011-05-19T13:43:55-04:00:00

The worst part about web application development is the phase in the unit testing where we developers swear we've fixed something, but still when we test the change, the fix isn't there. After awhile, we remember to clear the browser cache and we discover the fix worked! In some cases, we really haven't fixed what we thought we fixed--and in other cases, we haven't really cleared the cache.

I was working in FireFox recently and realized I hadn't really cleared the cache when I added a new button on a form that didn't show. I decided at that point, that I must not have truly cleared out the cache. To confirm my theory, I downloaded Google Chrome and ran the web app again. There was my new button! This sent me on a quest to clear the cache in in FireFox.

After some fiddling with FireFox, here are the steps I used to clear the cache:

   1. Opened up the FireFox browser
   2. Typed about:config in the address bar
   3. Typed ‘cache’ in the search bar, and looked for: network.http.use-cache.
   4. Double clicked network.http.use-cache in order to set it to false. (BTW, Double clicking it again will set it to true and re-enable the cache)

This should finally eliminate old files while your testing.

Tip: If you don't want to turn of the cache in FF to forcibly reload a page and all its dependencies, direct from source, ignoring local and proxy caches-- hold the shift key and hit reload.

How do I read the SQL for a View in T-SQL?

2011-05-04T12:41:17-04:00:00

The easiest way in MS SQL 2005 and up is to use the SQL Management Studio, go to Views, highlight the name of the view you are interested in, right click, select Script View as/Create to/Clipboard.

open up notepad or your prefered editor and paste the contents of your clipboard. The SQL used to create the view should show up in your editor.

If this doesn't work, or if you are working with older versions of SQL Server, look at the system objects as follows:

use [YouDatabseInstanceName]
go

select * from sys.objects
where type = 'V'
and name = 'YourViewName'

-- capture the object id and schema_id to examine later
-- object_id = 436921992
-- schema_id = 1

-- this should show you whether or not there is anything set in the definition coloumn

select * from sys.sql_modules
where object_id = 436921992

-- use to examine which schema name the view is in

select * from sys.schemas
where schema_id = 1

-- Use this to capture all the views by the schema name

select o.name
      ,o.object_id
into #views
from sys.objects o
join sys.schemas s
    on s.schema_id = o.schema_id
where o.type in ('V')
   and s.name = 'dbo'

select * from #views

-- use this to examine the definition of all views

select definition + char(10) + 'go' + char(10)
from sys.sql_modules c
join sys.objects o
on c.object_id = o.object_id
join #views o2
on o.object_id = o2.object_id

How do I Delete a View? How do I Create a View?

2011-02-22T17:01:26-05:00:00

Before I create views, I generally work out what I want to retrieve in my SELECT statement ahead of time so I'll just have to cut and paste the query. The example below is done in T-SQL/Sybase format, however for Oracle and MySQL, just place a semi-colon ';' at the end of your statement and remove the 'GO' command.

To drop (delete) an existing view:DROP VIEW vw_rpt_metroBestCustomers GO To create a view: CREATE VIEW vw_rpt_metroBestCustomers ( CustomerName, OfficeNum, City, StateOrProv, Country, ZipCode ) AS SELECT a.FirstName + ', ' + a.LastName, b.OfficePhoneNum, c.City, c.StateOrProvAbbr, c.Country, c.PostalCode FROM Customer a, CustLocAssoc x, CustContactAssoc y, Location c, Contact b WHERE a.CustID = x.CustID AND a.CustID = y.CustID AND y.ContactID = b.ContactID AND x.LocID = c.LocID AND a.LoyaltyMedian > 85.5 GO

I frequently rename columns when developing views to make
it easier for simple, text-based reporting--however, renaming
the columns isn't necessary.

The create view statement above could have been written
as follows:

CREATE VIEW vw_rpt_metroBestCustomers
AS
 (SELECT a.FirstName + ', ' + a.LastName,
          b.OfficePhoneNum,
          c.City,
          c.StateOrProvAbbr,
          c.Country,
          c.PostalCode
    FROM Customer a,
         CustLocAssoc x,
         CustContactAssoc y,
         Location c,
         Contact b
    WHERE a.CustID = x.CustID
      AND a.CustID = y.CustID
      AND y.ContactID = b.ContactID
      AND x.LocID = c.LocID
      AND a.LoyaltyMedian > 85.5
 )
GO

How do I route my SMTP outgoing mail through gmail (Google Mail) ?

2011-02-19T01:57:12-05:00:00

Here is the quick answer:

Go into your client e software (e.g. Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.) for the account you are working on (usually default). Set the SMTP server to smtp.gmail.com
Set the username as your gmail account user name (e.g. myname@gmail.com). Gmail will need the username and password you use for that account, so if your default is set to some other email, be sure to set the username and password to that value, or click on the checkbox for username/password.
Check TLS as the secure connection.

If you are looking for more in-depth info, check out Gina Trapani 's block on the topic.

In SQL Server, How Do I List all the Constraints by Table or by Column Name?

2010-11-05T11:36:44-04:00:00

This one will order the contraints by table:

Select SysObjects.[Name] As [Contraint Name] ,Tab.[Name] as [Table Name],Col.[Name] As [Column Name]
From SysObjects Inner Join (Select [Name],[ID] From SysObjects Where XType = 'U') As Tab
On Tab.[ID] = Sysobjects.[Parent_Obj]
Inner Join sysconstraints On sysconstraints.Constid = Sysobjects.[ID]
Inner Join SysColumns Col On Col.[ColID] = sysconstraints.[ColID] And Col.[ID] = Tab.[ID]
order by Tab.[Name]

This one will order the contraints by column:

How do I know what version of IIS I am running?

2010-10-17T18:04:06-04:00:00

I've encountered a LOT of posts on this--some of them represent a LOT of unnecessary work.

Here's the simple way:

1. Navigate to Administrative Tools.

2. Go to Internet Information Services (IIS)

3. If you last looked at something, Navigate to ABOVE your server name -- where it says "Internet Information Services"

4. Look to the right. You should see something that looks like this:

computer local version-------------------------- ------- -------------YourComputerName yes IIS V6.0

You're DONE!

How do I list every table and every column in the table in SQL Server?

2010-10-10T22:32:49-04:00:00

The sys.tables and sys.columns objects will return this information for you. The following SQL statement will bring bring back all the colunns in all the tables ordered by the table name then the column name.

SELECT

tbl.name AS table_name,

SCHEMA_NAME

(schema_id) AS schema_name,

col

.name AS column_name

FROM

sys.tables AS tbl

INNER

JOIN sys.columns col ON tbl.OBJECT_ID = col.OBJECT_ID

ORDER

BY schema_name, table_name;