Mountain Vista Technologies

Exchange 2010: Deleted item retention setting

Larry McDowell — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:16:27 +0000

Problem: In my exchange 2010 server, the default deleted item retention was set to 14 days. My organization wants it set to 30. Tried messing with the retention polices but was getting confused on how it worked and how it would apply to. In the end, it was still set to 14 days…

Solution: This setting can be modified, along with the default size of the mailbox within the properties of the database.. Go into the Exchange Management Console, click on Organization Configuration and then select Mailbox. Click on Database management and right click on the Exchange DB you want to change and select properties. Select the Limits tab and there you can make your deleted item retention change.

New Joomla Design: Artistree Landscaping

Larry McDowell — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:03:08 +0000

Problem: The owner of Artistree Landscaping and Irrigation asked me to setup a basic website for him. He needs were a contact form, basic SEO and the ability to edit and create new documents fairly quickly and easily.

Solution: This was a pretty easy design because Artistree provided the graphics, pictures and copy so all I needed to do was the layout. Used the JWD Fooblue template and customized to fit the look that Artistree was wanted. Phoca Download and Galleries were also used to create a slide show in the main page. Straight and Simple.

Can’t change the time on my Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller

Larry McDowell — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:52:52 +0000

Problem: The time on my Windows 2008 Active Directory was 10 min fast. I have tried to change the time through the control panel but as soon as I would change it, it would change back to the old incorrect time.

Solution: Found out that I had to either do on of two things. 1. Change the time within the BIOS of my server. 2. Since my DC is a virtual server, I tried changing the time on the main server which hosts this particular server. Once I did that, I was able to set my Domain Controller to the proper time. Figured that it saw the host server as the BIOS.

Exchange 2010 OWA: creating signature

Larry McDowell — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:25:44 +0000

Problem: How do I create a signature in OWA 2010?

Solution: Creating an Email Signature:
1. Click on the ‘Options’ link in the upper right hand corner and select the “See All Options…” option.

2. Click on ‘Settings’ and make sure the ‘Mail’ button is selected.
3. From there, create your signature.

Joomla template JWD Fooblue Layout

Larry McDowell — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:48:04 +0000

Problem:
I have been doing quite of bit of Joomla design for friends and work and I love the JWD Fooblue template. It’s easy to customize and make your own and works great with Joomla 2.5. My problem was that I had no clue what position’s the USER(x) modules would be.

Solution:
I created a screen shot of every position and where they are located. Hope this helps.

Sophos and Windows 7 Error 0000002f. The installation did not start.

Larry McDowell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:11:07 +0000

Problem: When trying to remotely install Sophos antivirus onto a Windows 7 workstation I get the following error:

The installation did not start. The computer may have been shut down, renamed or disconnected, or a required service may not be running. it my be running Windows XP Home or Windows Vista.

Tried turning off the firewall, installing it on the workstation locally but it wouldn’t update or install.

Solution:
Had to start the remote registry service on the workstation. By default it is set to manual. Once I started it and set it to automatic, I was able to remotely install Sophos. You can enable the remote registry service through group Policy by going into Group Policy Management Editor and configuring the service. Within the editor go to - Computer Configuration – Windows Settings – System Services. Set it to Automatic and and apply..

Windows 7 wireless. Connected but local access only

Larry McDowell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:58 +0000

Problem:
Connected my laptop running Windows 7 to a Netgear WG103 access point but cannot access the internet. I ran an IPCONFIG and I have a IP address and I can ping the default gateway but no internet.. I check the Network and Sharing Center and it shows that my computer is connected to the wireless but has a big red X for the connection to the internet and says local access only. Tried reinstalling drivers, rebooting, safe mode, virus checks and nothing worked.

Solution:
I had the network authentication for the access point set to WPA2-PSK. I remember reading somewhere that some have had problems with Windows 7 and this form of authentication. So I switched the network authentication to “WPA-PSK & WPA2-PSK.” Once I did that the Windows 7 machine connected to the internet without any problems.

Free iPad Management. In the Cloud

Larry McDowell — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:51:39 +0000

Problem:
My organization has purchased more and more iPads throughout the years and it’s time to figure out a way to manage them. I’ve looked at many different offerings but all were expensive and my budget didn’t allow me the ability to purchase these solutions. Are there any free iPad/iPhone/iTouch management solutions?

Solution:
Found an online iPad management system from Meraki that does all I need and best of all; it’s free.
Some features include:

Easy installation of agent. All you have to do is go to a web page on your IOS driven device and register. The app gets installed and you’re set.
Detailed inventory of the client. Name, OS version, model, BIOS, serial number, IP address, ICCID and IMEI number. Installed apps and location of device is also available.
You can also clear the passcode, force a passcode, remote erase or lock the device.
Ability to push out WIFI settings and clips are also available.
If you want to restrict installation of apps, in app purchases, gaming, youtube, siri, facetime.. etc.. you can with just a click of the mouse…
Works on all IOS driven devices.
There is a workstation client for windows and mac OS but I haven’t tried it yet.

The only con that I can see right now is that with anything free like this, you must be ready for them to all of a sudden, charge you.. If you are using Meraki, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

http://www.meraki.com/

Mass delete old workstation accounts in Active Directory

Larry McDowell — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:44:19 +0000

Problem: Over the years my Active Directory computes OU was starting to get cluttered with old computer accounts. Surprising how many go in and out over the years. I could not find a way through AD users and computers to mass delete these objects.

Solution: Came across a program called OldCmp and it non only did exactly what I needed but it will also provide reports, disable and delete old computers. Many other options and safeguards in this little executable to keep you from deleting active workstations. A must have tool for managing your Active Directory

http://www.joeware.net/freetools/tools/oldcmp/

Can’t find “Configuration” context in ADSI Edit

Larry McDowell — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:18:55 +0000

Problem: When trying to do some tasks in ADSI Edit that require manipulating objects within the “configuration” context (mainly for exchange), I can’t seem to find it. All I can see is the “Default naming context.”

Solution:
Within ADSI Edit’s menu click on “Action” and then “Settings.” You will see a drop down menu within the connection settings that has “Select a well known Naming Context:” Choose “Configuration” from the list of contexts and click “OK.” You will then be able to work with the CN’s that are listed in a lot of TechNet articles…