Joe's Tech Blog

logon info does not retain last user in Windows 7

2013-07-10T14:47:00.001-04:00

Recently I noticed a few Windows 7 workstations, that came up with blank fields after logging off and logging on. I’ve found that this is due to the “Interactive logon: Do not display last user name” policy settings be enabled.
To allow Windows to retain the last logged on user, go to start > run, type in gpedit.msc and hit enter. Now navigate into the following location (see path below) and change it to be disabled.

Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

If you run a domain policy, you will want to address this change on the domain gpo to ensure it reaches all client machines. *If this is something you want disabled*
Cheers!
Joe

Blackberry OS Update

2013-06-04T12:36:00.001-04:00

Before updating your Blackberry device OS, check for and download the latest OS version for your device. Save it local to your PC. After you have downloaded the OS package to your local machine, install it by running the package *.exe. (installing the software update local, will speed up the OS update)

Check for OS updates at the following link:
http://us.blackberry.com/support/apps-and-software/desktop-and-device-download-sites.html

Download the latest Blackberry Desktop Software, if you have not already at the following location:
http://us.blackberry.com/software/desktop.html

Now that you have your updated OS downloaded and installed locally, and the latest version of the Blacberry Desktop Software. Let's start the upgrade.

1. Launch BDS and connect your blackberry device.
2. Select the Device dropdown and choose Update…

3. The next box will display available OS updates, including the one installed locally. You want to select the local OS, but if you do not see these options. Select View other versions

4. Now you can select the OS platform to update to and click install. Notice I have selected the "local" OS installation for my device.

5. Select the appropriate update options and click the Install update button, to begin updating the device.

After the update completes, the device will reboot and then you can provision the device with your organizations BES, or other mobile device management solution.

KIP Print

2013-05-28T13:25:00.001-04:00

For those using KIP plotters, and the new KIP Print software. Here is a helpful heads up on how to silently deploy this out to your clients.

Start by running through the installation on a client machine. Add your plotters, and pen settings, etc. After you have one client machine setup with all of your customizations.

On 64bit clients, navigate into - C:\ProgramData\IPS\IPSPRINT

Copy the IPSPrint.ini file into your working folder for your deployment script. Next copy out your pen setting file, from - C:\ProgramData\IPS\IPSPRINT\PENS out.

Now that you have the customized settings file, along with your pen settings, you can setup your silent deployment package.

Start by installing the product with defaults silenty using;
call "\\serveranme\_SilentDeploy\files\KIPPrint_v.7.4.502.exe" /s /v/qn

For those running a mixed architecture environment, you will want to check the OS architecture. We can by using the following to check for x64.
"%PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE%"=="AMD64"

If you are running a mixed archtitecture, you will want to push the custom settings out to the correct location on the x86 clients. Below is an example of a full script. You will see the OS arch check, then the custom settings *.ini file being copied into the correct location.

call "\\serveranme\_SilentDeploy\_SilentDeploy\files\KIPPrint_v.7.4.502.exe" /s /v/qn

if not "%PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE%"=="AMD64" goto x86

xcopy "\\serveranme\_SilentDeploy\files\nj\default.pen" c:\ProgramData\IPS\IPSPRINT\PENS /e /q /y

xcopy "\\serveranme\_SilentDeploy\files\nj\IPSPrint.ini" c:\ProgramData\IPS\IPSPRINT /e /q /y

goto pen

:x86

xcopy "\\serveranme\_SilentDeploy\files\nj\default.pen" "%allusersprofile%\Application Data\IPS\IPSPRINT\PENS" /e /q /y

xcopy "\\serveranme\_SilentDeploy\files\nj\x86\IPSPrint.ini" "%allusersprofile%\Application Data\IPS\IPSPRINT" /e /q /y

:pen

If you do not want to overwrite the default files, you can use the rename command to rename the files prior to overwriting them.

That's all there is to preparing kipprint for silent deployment to multiple machines. This can be packaged and deployed through SCCM also, if your organization uses SCCM.

MS updates and ESRI ArcGIS - be aware!

2013-05-17T11:16:00.000-04:00

Critical Information Regarding Microsoft Update and ArcGIS

A recent Microsoft update (deployed as KB 2732673, KB 2775511, or KB 2824408) may result in data corruption when using ArcGIS on a Windows 7 system and writing data to remote data storage on a Windows Vista, 7, 2008/2008 R2, or 2012 system. This data corruption appears as truncation of a write request and has shown up in file geodatabases and shapefiles.

Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, identified the affected component as RDBSS.sys, and provided
further details.

Esri and Microsoft are working closely to understand what has changed in the RDBSS.sys component and
how to resolve the problem.

Microsoft recommends not installing the above-referenced updates.

How Microsoft Made These Updates Available

KB 2732673 and KB 2824408 are hotfixes to address specific issues. The KB 2775511 update is a cumulative update that is available exclusively at http://catalog.update.microsoft.com. Because it is available only through the Windows update catalog, the KB 2775511 update is not considered a security update by Microsoft and is not being deployed broadly.

What You Need to Do

If you have not yet installed the patches listed above, do not install them, per Microsoft's recommendation.

If you have installed the patches listed above, Microsoft recommends uninstalling them until a solution
is found.

See Esri Knowledge Base article 41119 for further information and updates.

See Microsoft Knowledge Base articles for more information on Microsoft updates:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2732673
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2775511
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2824408

Adding Custom Rosters to ESPN NFL 2K5 PCSX2 on PC

2013-03-28T01:34:00.001-04:00

Adding custom rosters:
Setup a memory card, then navigate to it ie. Documents\PCSX2\memcards
Download the roster files, unpack them into a folder location
Download mymc-alpha-2.6 app (google it)
Launch mymc-gui.exe, then navigate to and select the memory card you created ie. 2k5.ps2
Click the import button, then navigate to the roster.max file, click ok and it will be on your memory card

Close the mymc-alpha-2.6 app
Launch the game and go into options, load/save, select the roster file and load it

That's it, now you have loaded custom rosters.

Enjoy!

Outlook 2010 Instant Search encountered a problem

2012-11-28T10:52:00.001-05:00

Clients attempting to search a public folder that is in a mixed Exchange 2003/2010 environment may encounter the following information message, and will not be able to search the public contacts, etc. ERROR: CAUSE: Side effect of having public folders in a mixed exchange 2003/2010 environment. WORKAROUND: The only “bandaid” workaround I have found is to add the pub contacts, etc. into favorites, then put the outlook client in cached mode, enabling the cache mode option to download public folder favorites, and making that public folder a favorite. Inside email accounts, server settings enable the use cached exchange mode Inside “More Settings”, enable the checkbox for download public folder favorites Clients will be able to search the pub fixed contacts, etc. after outlook is restarted and has finished updating the local offline file.

iPhone, iPod stuck after loading cydia app

2012-06-28T09:05:00.001-04:00

If you are one of the unfortunate ones, that experiences your device stuck in an endless hung state after installing an app from cydia. This happens when a bad/corrupt package is installed and does not play nice with the device.

To fix the device that is hung trying to respring, simply download and install iFunBox. ( http://www.i-funbox.com/)

Next connect your device to your laptop/pc, open ifunbox, then navigate into the following folder.

/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/

Find the last package you tried installing that caused the respring to hang and delete those files, then power cycle the device and it will be back to normal.

Exchange 2010–How to Move a DB

2012-06-07T10:45:00.001-04:00

1. Run a full MB job to commit and purge log files into the DB
2. Open the EMC, then nav to org config, mailbox, on the db management tab select the DB, right click and select dismount database

3. Once the database shows the mounted status as dismounted, right click and select move database path.. In the file paths, simply change the drive letter, or change the entire folder destination per your needs, then click the move button and let the EMC take care of the rest.

4. After completion, if successful you will see it completed successfully

5. Restart the Microsoft exchange search indexer service

6. Right click on the database file under the org config, mailbox, on the db management tab, and select mount

Technet related topics that will also help you are below.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123903.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351168.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123587.aspx

LDC2009–Shift to deselect does not work

2012-06-06T15:59:00.001-04:00

Recently I encountered an issue where I was unable to hold shift to deselect objects. I checked everything I could think of with the exception of my raster options, but I eventually found it. Hope this saves someone else time!

Problem:
When selecting multiple objects, holding the shift key and selecting objects to deselect does not work.

Solution:
Inside LDC type ioptions, this loads raster options. Under the “user preferences” tab, uncheck the box under mouse settings “shift+left click image select” option.

Google Maps to GPS

2012-05-26T00:44:00.001-04:00

For the longest time, I had a tough time finding some odd location addresses in my GPS. Come to find that I can send the Google map directions straight to my Garmin.

Here’s how:

Locate the address & directions to that address, then click the “link” icon

Next click on the “Send” link (I check the box to use a short url)
Click on “GPS”, then select the dropdown for “brand”, and select the type of GPS device you want to send to
Be sure your GPS is connected to your PC, then click send
Check the box for your connected GPS, then click “send to GPS”
If successful, you will see similar confirmation as below
Disconnect your GPS device and confirm your new directions and address are in your device favorites

That’s it, now you can leave the guessing out and know your directions and addresses will be in your GPS device with confidence.

Tough Mudder PA #2 - 5/12/2012

2012-05-13T14:54:00.000-04:00

Once I found out that parking was 20min away from the event, I was a little unsure of the actual time between buses to get to the event site. Upon arrival at the parking lots in Pocono Raceway, I was surprised to see the mass number of school buses lined up to shuttle us over. I still prefer to park on-site, just in case you need to run back to your vehicle for something.

This event had a special registration line for military, which was sweet! Much faster than having to stand in line with the masses, and a really nice courtesy to us prior service and active military.

This coarse had fewer obstacles than the tri-state event I ran at Englishtown raceway last November, but turned out to be about over 12miles also. Originally I read this PA course was going to be 11 miles, but my guess is that they changed it up a little, since it was just run a few weeks earlier at the end of April.

Many of the obstacles were already familiar to me with the exception of the electric eel, this obstacle was a nice addition to what I had already been exposed to. During the A-frame cargo net obstacle one of the volunteer staff with a mike and loud speaker, said “if you don’t want to wait, you can go around, it won’t hurt you from getting your free beer and t-shirt at the end”. This caused a bit of ruckus among many of us standing waiting for our turn. Not someone I ever hope to see at another TM..

There were no underwater tunnels at this coarse, and the plunge into the lake, was weak compared to the tri-state I ran, because there was no lake to swim across at Pocono manor. Instead you jumped off into what looked like a small pond, then swam back to where you started, then continued on. The 3’ tunnels were easier than what I remembered from the tri-state, the ones at Pocono manor were not sloped as much, because I was able to make it up w/o help, whereas last years tri-state, I distinctly remember getting stuck on the way up, and having to grab the person in front of me, foot to pull myself up.

At the end of the race, I felt the finish area was a little unorganized compared to the last event I ran. There was no one there making sure you got your photo next to the TM background. When I ran last November’s tri-state, it was much more organized, you got your t-shirt, headband, a few goodies, then an event staff directed you to the area to get your finisher photo with the badass TM background that was setup. This years PA event, I finished, someone handed me my headband, then fortunately I went up to one of the tables and asked if we got t-shirts and was directed to another table to pickup my t-shirt. When I went to get my free beer, not one person asked to see my wrist band before giving me my beer. Not that this is a bad thing because I grabbed a second before leaving the finisher area, but when I did walk out of the finisher area, there was no one outside, nor inside directing for final photos, as I had been anticipating.

The on-site venue was kick ass, the live music was great, as well as the food vendor’s at this event. Oh yes, then the 25min bus ride back to the parking lot, I will never run another TM event that has off-site parking, even with shuttle busses, I prefer not to have to wait for and sit on a shuttle.

Overall, I felt that this PA event was a cake walk compared to the 2011 tri-state Tough Mudder I ran. I’m glad I was able to raise money for our wounded warriors, and hang with such a good community of people again, and I look forward to my next Mudder event!

Autodesk–Migrate 32bit Profile to 64bit

2012-04-26T12:06:00.001-04:00

As we have seen, 64bit operating systems have become the norm, for most organizations. When upgrading a production CAD user from 32bit to 64bit, the default installation paths change slightly.

Example:
32bit O/S installation path: C:\Program Files
64bit O/S installation path: C:\Program Files (x86)

For other administrators that care about their production users, and want to maintain their production staffs current 32bit profile, avoiding leaving the user to re-create their profile. Even using a new base profile, can be cumbersome for some of the customizers.

Here’s how:

Launch the users Autocad, go into options, profiles tab, then export their current profile to a network location, one that you will be able to access.
Open the exported *.arg profile using notepad as the editor
Perform a find & replace, to find “Program Files” & replace with “Program Files (x86)”
Click Replace All, then save and close the file
On the new 64bit system, launch the Autocad product, go into options and import the profile we just modified.

This will maintain all custom toolbars, menu’s and other customizations the user made to their profile. You just migrated over the users profile maintaining the same friendly familiar environment the user was used to on their 32bit machine.

Dell Powervault 124T–Multiple Magazines

2012-04-25T13:46:00.001-04:00

For other network admins, that use a 124T tape drive, the following will allow you to swap/pull both magazines w/o having to re-run a second import/export job.

When swapping multiple tapes in both left & right magazines, initiate the import/export inside of backup software (ie. backup exec), once that alert pops up, on the tape drive navigate to commands, export, left magazine. After swapping all the tapes in the left magazine, on the powervault navigate to the right magazine, then when you push the left magazine back in, click enter on the powervault to force the right magazine to pop out.

quick overview of the steps:

initiate imoprt/export inside of backup software (ie. backup exec)
on the tape drive console navigate to commands, eject, magazine (left magazine)
on the tape drive console navigate to the opposite magazine (commands, eject right magazine)
push the current magazine back in, simultaneously push enter on the tape drive console to eject the opposite magazine

This is a little trick I learned that will save you time from having to run multiple import/export jobs, when changing multiple tapes.

Excel 2010 workbook blank after opening

2012-04-25T00:21:00.000-04:00

Today I encountered an issue in excel, where I was unable to see the contents of an excel workbook, after opening it. Both by double clicking the file from explorer, as well as opening excel fully, then opening the workbook..

In most cases where a workbook is opened and the data is not seen, simply checking the hide/unhide option of the workbook resolves it. This time it was not so easy for me.

This particular instance was one where when any workbook was opened, it was minimized inside of excel, and there were no tabs/options to click to maximize it.

The solution was to click CTRL+F10, which brought the workbook up as the main window inside excel, after which the contents of the workbook was again visible.

(CTRL+F10 is a shortcut to minimize/maximize workbooks inside of excel)

Next time you open an excel workbook and it’s not hidden, and all you see is a blank grey page, remember to click CTRL+F10, to maximize your workbook, so it’s visible to you.

Hope this helps others, and saves you from going banana’s =D

Install Error 1935

2012-02-09T22:38:00.003-05:00

If you have encounter the “Error 1935” message during a software install, chances are good that there are a few registry entries from a previous update or install that never got removed. (error below)

Solutions for this error can be found at the links below.
Microsoft KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970652
Microsoft Fix Download: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;946414

APC Smart-UPS Discharge Status “Reset”

2011-10-26T16:24:00.001-04:00

For anyone that has encountered an APC Smart-UPS that has continued to show the battery status as “discharged”, along with the batt lights continuously flashing after replacing what you thought to be a bad battery, you will want to try the following before changing the battery out next time, or even after installing the new battery.

Let’s start by confirming you are using one of the following serial cables

pn 940-0024
pn 940-1524

Confirm and install HyperTerminal if necessary, then follow the steps below.

Close PowerChute and stop both APC services.

APC PBE Agent
APC BPE Server

Open a terminal session using the following settings.

Name your new connection. (ie. APC Reset, etc.)

Select the correct COM port you are connected to.
Bits per second: 2400
Data bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: None

Once connected, press shift + y (should return “SM”)
Press 1, wait 2 seconds and press 1 again, you should see “PROG”
Press 0, which will return the current value. (ie. B3, 29, etc.) Write this value down just in case something goes wrong.
If the value returned is not equal to “AF”, press the “+” key to cycle through until you reach the “AF” value, then press Shift + r, and disconnect.
Reconnect, press Shift + y, then press 1, wait 2 seconds and press 1 again, now press 0 and confirm the value is “AF”, then press Shift +r, disconnect and close the hyperterminal session.
You should see the lights on the front of the APC stay solid, and return to normal (no flashing for the batt).
Start both services,

APC PBE Agent
APC BPE Server

Open PowerChute and refresh your configured Smart-UPS, under properties, in the Battery Status option, confirm your battery status is normal.

If you are unable to connect to the UPS, check the serial cable you are using, it may not be a smart cable.

Regards,
Joe

Check Authentication Server

2011-08-03T16:08:00.001-04:00

Here are two of the methods I use for checking which server authenticated you. I’m sure these will come in handy for others as well..

Method 1:

Open a CMD prompt and type the following: set l

Method 2:

Got to START, RUN, type in %logonserver% and hit OK.

This will open an explorer window to the authentication server.

Regards,
Joe

Audio Driver for DELL Optiplex GX620

2011-07-28T18:07:00.001-04:00

For many others that have been upgrading older systems to Windows 7 x64, and found an issue early on with the soundmax 198x audio driver, you’re not alone. The GX620’s still make up a large part of my organizations inventory and are still great Win 7 machines, with 4gb ram upgrades.

If Microsoft Update does not automatically find and install a driver for you, you can go directly to the Microsoft Update Catalog site and search for SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio, where you will easily find the driver you need.

I have also come across the R228255 (release date: 11/2/2009, version 6.10.1.7250, A08) audio driver from DELL’s support site HERE, which also works. If you are maintaining a deployment using MDT 2010, or WDS, you will want to download the driver, extract it and incorporate it into your deployment, so that the drivers are merged into your deployment WIM.

Regards,
Joe

Verizon DSL Westell Modem/Router

2011-07-22T15:24:00.001-04:00

Recently I helped someone setup their new Westell modem and encountered an issue with the modem just not connecting to the web. After checking the configuration and power cycling with no resolve. I placed call into tech support that quickly advised that the modem needs to be enabled.

From your web browser on the machine connected to the modem directly enter the following (in bold), then simply click on the Disable button on that page, then power cycle the modem and it will then be online.

192.168.1.1/verizon/redirect.htm

Would be great for them to include this in the quick setup document that explains how to access the modem’s web console. Maybe they just want to hear the sound of our sweet voices..

I hope this helps someone else from having to call tech support to get their modem working.

Regards,
Joe

Google Earth

2011-06-24T13:00:00.001-04:00

For most organizations Google Earth is a regular part of their users toolbox. From an administrator’s stand point Google Earth has always been one of those challenging applications that requires previous versions to be uninstalled before installing new versions.

There are many ways to obtain installed software's GUID keys which can be used for removal. I will write something about how I obtain the GUID’s for all installed applications in another post. For now let’s focus on GE.

The simplest way to gather your currently installed Google Earth GUID is to simply go into your local machines Start > All Programs > Google Earth folder then right click on the “Uninstall Google Earth” link and go into properties.

In the target box you will find your current version’s GUID key, which can easily be copied.

After you have obtained your currently installed version’s specific GUID key. Now you can prepare a simple batch file using the msiexec command to silently uninstall the application.

Below is an example to remove Google Earth version 5.0.

msiexec /x{C2D129C0-7508-11DF-9F1B-005056806466} /quiet

Now you have a better idea of how to silently remove GE, let’s look at how to silently install GE. You will want to download and install 7-Zip, this is a freeware app that will allow you to extract the contents of the Google Earth executable. After you have extracted the contents of the “GoogleEarthSetup.exe” to a shared folder accessible by all your clients.

Below is an example to silently install GE version 6. (You can install other versions using the same method)

msiexec /i"\\servername\share\GE6\content\Google Earth.msi" /qn /qb

Here is an example of a simple batch file that will first uninstall the previous version 5.0, then install the new version 6.0 of Google Earth. It’s a great idea to use the “start /wait” to ensure that the task completes before moving onto the next line in the batch file.

@echo off rem uninstalling GE 5.0start /wait msiexec /x{C2D129C0-7508-11DF-9F1B-005056806466} /quiet rem installing GE 6.0start /wait msiexec /i"\\servername\share\GE6\content\Google Earth.msi" /qn /qb

Thanks for taking the time to read my post, and I hope this info helps others.

Regards,
Joseph La Placa Jr

.NET Framework 4.0 Silent Batch Methods

2011-06-23T15:42:00.000-04:00

Here are simple to the point methods, that will allow you to install, repair and remove the .Net Framework 4.0. My examples are specific to the latest 4.0, but can be used for previous versions as well, with minor changes.
Below are a few of the command switches I used in my scripts.
/passive = Sets passive mode; displays the progress bar to indicate that installation is in progress, but does not display any prompts or error messages to the user.

/LCID = Installs the language pack specified by LCID and forces the displayed UI to be shown in that language.
/norestart = Prevents the Setup program from rebooting automatically.
Below are examples of how to Install, Repair & Remove .NET 4.0. These can be easily modified and incorporated into any batch file.
Silent unattended installation:It’s important to include “” if there are spaces in your file path.
It is recommended to reboot the system, but for my application the reboot is handled manually and bypassed during initial setup.

“\\server\share\dotNetFx40_Full_setup.exe" /passive /norestart /LCID 1033

Silent Repair:

"%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\SetupCache\Extended\setup.exe" /repair /x86 /x64 /ia64 /parameterfolder Extended /passive /norestart

"%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\SetupCache\Client\setup.exe" /repair /x86 /x64 /parameterfolder Client /passive /norestart

Silent Removal:

"%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\SetupCache\Extended\setup.exe" /uninstall /x86 /x64 /ia64 /parameterfolder Extended /passive /norestart

"%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\SetupCache\Client\setup.exe" /uninstall /x86 /x64 /parameterfolder Client /passive /norestart

The above code can be easily incorporated into a batch file, logon script, or gpo. I hope this helps others without the need to decipher anything. If you found this helpful, please follow me.

Regards,
Joe La Placa Jr