George Phillips Computer Services

Easy way to find Server / PC serial number

2011-07-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Many times I find myself needing the serial number of a remote server or pc. Below is a simple command line that will provide the information quickly and easily.

C:\>wmic

wmic:root\cli>systemenclosure get serialnumber

SerialNumber
xxxxxxxx

wmic:root\cli>exit

C:\>

No network connectivity - IPSEC Event ID's 7023, 4292

2011-03-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

I ran into an issue with a few servers that shutdown unexpectedly. After rebooting the servers appeared to boot normally but would lose network connectivity during the bootup process. I noticed that the IPSEC service would not start with Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified. This is also associated with Event ID 7023. Also in the Windows logs was Event ID 4292 which states that the IPSEC driver has entered Block mode. That error indicates that all inbound and outbound TCP/IP traffic is being blocked.

To resolve this issue I followed the solution in Microsoft KB article 870910 at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870910 . I noticed, however, that the servers didn't have the key indicated in step one so I skipped that part and went to step two to register the dll (regsvr32 polstore.dll) and that resolved the issue for me. Once the dll was registered successfully I was then able to start the IPSEC service and connectivity was restored. I rebooted again for good measure.

Ubuntu Customization

2011-02-07T13:35:00.001-08:00

To add effects run the command below:

sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-plugins compiz-gnome compiz-core emerald compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra fusion-icon compizconfig-settings-manager

Blank Screen with Blinking Cursor

2011-02-03T00:35:00.000-08:00

This is not a pretty site. After trying to boot your pc all you see is a blank, black screen with a white, flashing cursor in the upper-left corner. Below are the steps I took to resolve this issue in Windows 7 (should work in Vista as well, not sure about XP).

-Enter the Recovery Console (boot from the Vista/Win7 dvd, system repair, command prompt)

-Type both commands below at the command prompt:
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /fixmbr

-Exit the Recovery Console and reboot

That most likely has resolved the issue and the pc will now boot normally. If not you may also have to enter Safe Mode and disable UAC.

How to allow Power Users to add printers in Windows XP

2011-01-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

For XP and greater the Load Driver privilege was removed from Power Users
for security. You can add this ability back to Power Users by following the instructions below.

-Logon with admin privileges

-Go to Control Panel/Admin Tools / Local Security Policy / Local Policy / User Rights Assignment/ Load and unload device drivers

-Add machine\power users or the specific user

Configuring RPC over HTTP (Outlook Anywhere) in Ubuntu

2011-01-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

At this point it doesn't exist as you might think but there is a fairly simply workaround. I've been able to simulate the same functionality as Outlook Anywhere by using Thunderbird and DavMail. The reference for this info is at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1237875 .

Configuring OpenDNS client in Ubuntu

2011-01-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

Install ddclient in Ubuntu and configure file below.

-----------------------------------------------
/etc/ddclient.conf
----------------------------------------------
# Configuration file for ddclient generated by debconf
#
# /etc/ddclient.conf

daemon=600
ssl=yes
use=web, web=whatismyip.org
server=updates.opendns.com
protocol=dyndns2
login=*******
password=********
xxxxxxxx (your opendns network label)
--------------------------------------

Other helpful info:
sudo /etc/init.d/ddclient status
This checks to see whether it is running as a daemon.

sudo /etc/init.d/ddclient stop
This stops the daemon.

sudo /etc/init.d/ddclient stop
This starts the daemon.

libXm.so.4 not in Ubuntu affecting Citrix Receiver

2011-01-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, Ubuntu only provide the obsolete libmotif3 version and the not the current version 4 that the receiver is built against. The workaround below will get you going...

Install libmotif3:
sudo apt-get install libmotif3

Created symlink:
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/libXm.so.3.0.2 /usr/lib/libXm.so.4

Applications -> Internet -> Citrix Receiver = Working fine!

SSL error 61 with Citrix on Firefox and Ubuntu

2011-01-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

This error is caused by missing certificates on Ubuntu Ica Client. The solution is : "cp /usr/share/ca-certificates/mozilla/* /usr/lib/ICAClient/keystore/cacerts/"

In other word's copy your mozzilla firefox certificates to the citrix instalation folder.

To paste into the ICA folder you may need to press ALT-F2, type the command below then click RUN.

use the command : "gksu nautilus /usr/lib/ICAClient/keystore/cacerts"

You should then be able to paste the certificates into the ICA folder.

How to grant "Allow log on through Terminal Services" right

2010-10-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is often a pesky problem that I have to search for so I'm adding it to my blog as reference and for any others that may have the same issue. I've found that adding a user to the Remote Desktop Users group alone does not allow them to logon to a server via RDP unless they are also in the Administrators group. If you don't want the user in the Administrators group you can follow the directions below to allow them access.

1.Open gpedit.msc (the local group policy editor)
2.Expand Local Computer Policy –> Computer Configuration –> Windows Settings –> Security Settings –> Local Policies –> User Rights Management
3.Look for the setting on the right called "Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services"
4.Double click that policy
5.Add the user or group you would like to have remote access to the box. I personally added the Remote Desktop Users group.

Outlook 2007 Calendar Freezes

2010-06-15T07:32:00.001-07:00

This fix removes the To-Do Task list from the Calendar view so that it no longer freezes.

-open Outlook, click Tasks under Current Mailbox, on the far-upper right you'll see a To Do Bar with a small calendar. Click YESTERDAY'S date on that small calendar to open the calendar without it crashing.
-Then click 'View' at the top of the screen, 'Daily Task List' and 'Off' - that will remove the Task List view from your calendar.

Close Outlook and reopen. Try accessing your calendar to see if it behaves normally.

Home Folders map incorrectly

2010-06-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

I came across this fix that resolved our issues with Home Folders not mapping correctly or completely.

Turn off Fast Logon Optimization:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon\ Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon

If that alone doesn't resolve the issue then also configure the pc to Run Logon Scripts Synchronously:
In GPO Enable (Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates ->System->Scripts->Run logon script synchronously

**If you don't see these Administrative Templates then right-click Administrative Templates under User Configuration and click on Add/Remove Templates. Then click Add and make sure you're in c:\windows\inf. Choose at least system.adm. Click Open and then Close to add those files to your GPO editor.

Convert AOL Favorites to Internet Explorer Favorites

2010-06-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

I found that converting AOL Favorites to Internet Explorer Favorites isn't an easy process. Fortunately I came across an easy way to make the conversion after much searching. Below is the process.

What you first need to do is export your favorites from within AOL.

1 - Go to Favorites > Favorite Places > Save/Replace

2 - Save the file to your computer. A good place would be your desktop or My Documents.

Note: The file you save will have a .pfc extension

After you save your AOL Favorites to your computer go to the linkaGoGo Convert Bookmark File utility

1 - The input format should be set on AOL 8 or 9 Personal Filing Cabinet (PFC)

2 - The output format should be set on Internet Explorer (or whatever browser you're using)

3 - Click the Browse button to find the .pfc file you exported from AOL

4 - Click the Convert button and you'll be prompted to save a bookmarks.html file. A good place would be your desktop or My Documents.

Now you're ready to Import the bookmarks in Internet Explorer

1 - Open Internet Explorer and click File > Import & Export

2 - Click on Next

3 - Choose Import Favorites. Click on Next.

4 - Choose Import from a File or Address, Browse for the bookmarks.html you saved from the linkaGoGo site and click Next.

Your AOL Favorites should now appear in Internet Explorer.

This blog has moved

2010-04-28T06:40:00.001-07:00

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How to determine .NET Framework version?

2010-03-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

If you ever have a need to determine what version of the .NET Framework version is installed on your computer you realize that it can be difficult. Below is a link to a website that will make it easy and determine it for you and provide links to download the latest version if necessary.

http://www.hanselman.com/smallestdotnet

"Open home page for new tabs instead of blank page" doesn't work

2009-08-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

PROBLEM:IE7 "Open home page for new tabs instead of blank page" doesn'twork.

SOLUTION:
1.- Open Your *IE7* Browser.
2.- Press Keyboard combination *Ctrl+T*
3.- Select on the bottom of the new page "*Don't show this pageagain*".
4.- Click on Close.
5.- Click on Tools, Internet Options. Then Click over Tabs"*Settings*".
6.- Select "*Open home page for new tabs instead of a blank page*"
7.- Click *OK* Twice
8.- Done.

Open a new tab to your home page in Internet Explorer

2009-08-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

If you prefer that your home page appear when you open a new tab, follow these steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button and then clicking Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button and then click Internet Options.
3. Click the General tab, and then, under Tabs, click Settings.
4. In the Tabbed Browsing Settings dialog box do one of the following:

In Internet Explorer 8 click the list under When a new tab is opened, open, click Your first home page, click OK, and then click OK again.
In Internet Explorer 7 select the Open home page for new tabs instead of a blank page check box, click OK, and then click OK again.

Notes :
If you have multiple home page tabs, only the first home page in your list will open in the new tab.

If you open a new tab in Internet Explorer 7 and see a page that says "You've opened a new tab" after you've followed the steps above, select the Don't show this page again check box, and then click Close. When you restart Internet Explorer 7, your home page will display whenever you open a new tab.

Internet Explorer Zoom Function

2009-08-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Internet Explorer has a zoom function which can cause you to pull your hair out if it zooms in or out without your knowing how it occurred. If you're having trouble reading your webpages because they are too large or small check this first.

In the lower right corner of your browser window you should see a magnifying glass and a percentage. Click the down arrow to the right of the percentage and click 100%. That will readjust the page to normal viewing. To read more about this feature you can click the link below.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/webzoom.aspx

"Windows cannot connect to the printer. Access is denied"

2009-08-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

I came across an interesting issue recently when attempting to print to a network printer on a small network. I received a message stating "Windows cannot connect to the printer. Access is denied." I was able to access folders and see the printer. To get around this issue I performed the following:

Go to Control Panel>Printers>Add Printer

Choose Add a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.

A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name. Type in the \\computer_name\printer_name.

That did the trick for me. I hope that saves someone some time!

Bypass The Windows XP Log On Screen

2009-07-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

To make logon an unattended process:

Click START>RUN and type "control userpasswords2" then Click OK.
The User Accounts Property Sheet displays. On the Users tab, clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" check box. Click Apply.
Enter a user name and password that should be used to logon automatically in the dialog box that appears. Click OK.
Go to Control Panel then User Accounts then Change the Way Users Log On and Off. Uncheck "Use the Welcome Screen" and "Use Fast User Switching."

Changing the Registered owner in Windows XP

2009-06-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

Here's how to change the registered owner`s name on Win XP:

- Run regedit
- Find key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version
-Change your name in following subkey :Registered Owner

Workaround to Install Java

2009-05-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

I ran into a situation recently where Java needed to be installed on a pc but it would not install properly from the web or by running locally. Either msiexec.exe would crash or I would get a message similar to, "The Java cannot be downloaded to your machine. You are living in an embargoed country." After trying many things the solution that worked for me is below.

To install java do this:
- Start->Run->cmd
- go to your java directory (where the install .exe is located)
- type this command: {name of java executable}.exe /s /v"/qn ADDLOCAL=ALL IEXPLORER=1 INSTALLDIR=c:\java\jre"

Hope it helps you like it helped me!

Need a .dll file?

2009-05-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

If you need a .dll file to resolve an issue the best website I've seen to download various .dll's is http://www.dlldump.com/ .

Resolving an unrecognized USB Thumb Drive

2009-04-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

After spending a lot of time troubleshooting a problematic USB thumb drive it was discovered that HP equipment plugged into USB ports can cause the problem. If you have an HP scanner and/or printer connected using USB ports, temporarily unplug them before you use your USB thumb drive.

Hopefully this tid bit saves you a lot of time...

Email Merge

2009-04-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Email Merge feature will allow you to send multiple CUSTOMIZED emails simultaneously. For instance, you will be able to create one email and send to many people at the same time all while inserting each recipients name to give it a custom touch.

In order to send email’s using the email merge feature you will first need to create a spreadsheet with any pertinent information. For starters, column headers named Title, First Name, Last Name, and Email Address should suffice. Once that spreadsheet is created and populated you are now ready to begin the email process.

You will need to use a MAPI-compatible email program such as Microsoft Outlook. Follow these steps to get started in Outlook 2003:

1. Begin a new message and on the Tools menu, point to Letters and Mailings, and then click Mail Merge.

2. Under Select document type, click E-mail messages.
The active document becomes the main document, where you will type the body of your e-mail message.

3. Click Next: Starting document on the bottom right of the screen and follow the remaining steps on-screen.