The media family on device '' is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family

If you get this messge, usually you are trying to restore a backup file from a newer version of SQL Server to an older version. (i.e. SQL Server 2012 => SQL Server 2008 R2)

If backup is correct and one is trying to restore on lower version
Error: The media family on device 'C:\test.bak' is incorrectly formed. SQL Server cannot process this media family
If backup is corrupt and either you try to restore on same or lower version
Error: The file on device 'C:\test.bak' is not a valid Microsoft Tape Format backup set.

Solution: SQL server doesn’t support restore from higher to lower version. There is no "downgrade" possible using backup/restore or detach/attach. You'd have to use the Import/Export wizards (scripts) to migrate everything.

COMException: Die NumberFormat-Eigenschaft des Range-Objektes kann nicht Festgelegt werden

The error in english is:
Unable to set the NumberFormat property of the Range Class

Solution:
In Excel you have two Fields:

• NumberFormat
• NumberFormatLocal

NumberFormat takes the format always locale invariant in the american standard and NumberFormatLocal expects the format with the locale formatting string.

Out of memory exception when setting an excel chart name

xlChart.Name = "A name";

This property is read-only for chart objects (embedded charts).

Solution:
The charts are "floating" on the page (not sepearate chart sheets), so the "read-only" remark applies and explains why you're getting an error. A seperate "chart only sheet" can have a name via this property.

Hyper-V virtual machine failed to start after copying VHD

On Windows 8 running Hyper-V, I copied a VHD from an external drive using Windows Explorer to the local machine. I reconfigured the new location in Hyper-V and tried to start the machine. I got the following error message:

‘VM’ failed to start.
Microsoft Emulated IDE Controller (Instance ID {…}): failed to Power on with Error ‘General access denied error’ (0×80070005). [Event ID 12010]
IDE/ATAPI Account does not have sufficient privilege to open attachment ‘D:\Virtual Machines\VM01\Virtual Hard Disks\DRIVE.VHD’. Error: ‘General access denied error’ (0×80070005). [Event ID 12290]
‘VM failed to start. (Virtual machine ID 6B78D45F5-71DF-4725-B4B2-E651800BE80EF) [Event ID 12030]

This issue occurs if the permissions on the virtual hard disk (.vhd) file or the snapshot file (.avhd) are incorrect.
Every Hyper-V virtual machines has a unique Virtual Machine ID (SID). If the Virtual Machine SID is missing from the security permissions on the .vhd or .avhd file, the virtual machine does not start.

Solution:
Give the Virtual Machine ID (SID) access to the .vhd or .avhd file, type the following command, and then press Enter:

icacls [Path of .vhd or .avhd file] /grant "NT VIRTUAL MACHINE\[Virtual Machine ID from step 1]":(F)

Ressource: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2249906/en-us

Team Foundation Service: user account permission and authorization

I am working with online Team Foundation Service and got the message below while trying to connect. The "sign in" window was not giving me the possibility to update the credentials..

TF31003: Either you have not entered the necessary credentials or your user account does not have permission to connect to the Team Foundation Server at https://xyz.visualstudio.com/. Ask your server administrator to add the appropriate permissions to your account

I used Visual Studio 2012 running on Windows 8

 

Another possible message is:

TF205020: Could not connect to server ‘xyz.visualstudio.com\DefaultCollection’

or

TF30063: You are not authorized to access xyz.visualstudio.com

 

Solution:
Clearing all the cookies in IE resolved the issue for me. (Internetoptions -> General -> Delete...)

Colored events on a SharePoint Calendar

Here is a great blog post I came across on how to show events on a SharePoint Calendar colored in specific event types:
http://sharepointsolutions.com/sharepoint-help/blog/2012/10/color-code-events-on-a-sharepoint-calendar/

Works great!