There's a hotfix available from Microsoft now which fixes this issue. Sweet!

Windows Server 2008 and the enhanced security implemented in this operating system will not allow Quickbooks Enterprise Solutions 8.0 to operate properly without additional configuration by a qualified Information Technology person. The additional configuration for Server 2008 may include setting up your Windows Policy Settings.

Quickbooks Enterprise will install ok, but the application will crash when it is run. To get it running, I removed the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration and temporarily set the Internet Explorer security settings to Low while the application ran for the first time. After this, Internet Explorer's settings could be changed back to the previous settings.

In order for non-admin users to be able to run Quickbooks, I had to disable UAC.

Has anybody else had experiences with Quickbooks Enterprise on a Windows 2008 Terminal Server?

Comments

Dave Finch (13th November 2008) wrote:

I found that I could not configure the edition unless the installation CD was inserted. A network path did not work. When I used a network path it reported an error beginning with "Quickbooks cannot complete the reconfiguration process" and suggesting I free up disk space. I had also installed MSXML 4 and .NET Framework 3.5, though I'm not certain these were neccessary.

I've been more than impressed with this machine, despite a couple of minor annoyances. The model I've been using is a KM230AV, with a 2.5Ghz Core 2 Duo CPU, 256MB ATI Radeon X2600 graphics card, and 4GB of RAM (upgraded from 2GB). I won't delve further into the specifications since these can change significantly with each new model.

Practicalities

I compared three models when looking to buy this laptop. The first was a 6710b, which is roughly the same size and shape as the 8510p, but not as slim. It has integrated graphics, using shared memory, so the performance of the 6710b is average. The other model I looked at was the larger 8710w. Although it has better graphics capabilities, I find the 8710w is simply too large to travel with. The 8510p, on the other hand, is a suitable workstation replacement, without being too bulky to actually use as a laptop.

I work with HP laptops an a daily basis so all of the ports and controls are where I would expect. That said, I would prefer for two of the four USB ports to be at the back of the laptop, rather than having two on either side, as the cables can get in the way of the mouse. Another issue that may chafe users is the location of the fingerprint scanner, which I find tends to get brushed accidently more often than not, prompting me to configure my credentials. It wasn't long before I disabled the scanner in the BIOS to forestall frustration.

Performance

The system performs well. I usually have one or two virtual machines running throughout the day, and even then I rarely notice a performance hit. For those interested in benchmarks, the system scores a Windows Experience Index rating of 5.1, with memory and gaming graphics being the limiting factors.

I've been running Vista x64, and the system runs well with the supplied drivers and applications. There is a known issue with the video driver crashing occasionally, and at the time of writing the latest drivers and firmware do not resolve the problem. The screen merely flickers for a second when the drivers crash, so it's not a major issue (though it would no doubt drive some people around the bend).

The screen is crisp and bright, and is another selling point over the 6710b. The video card has plenty of grunt and handles Vista's Aero interface beautifully. I use the system mainly for work, and haven't tested the gaming capabilities at all.

The speakers produce good quality sound, and can reach a decent volume. Their location under the front lip of the system can cause the sound to easily be muffled if the system is sitting on a lap though.

Conclusion

I'm more than happy with the 8510p and can give it a thumbs up. It's performance and build quality give it an edge over the popular 6710b, making it well worth the extra dollars spent.

I looked at a system today that had all the telltale signs of a malware infection. The user said she had downloaded an app from a dodgy downloads site and when she tried to install it, the screen would start flashing and the system would hang. Naturally, I scanned the system for viruses and malware, and suggested she didn’t try installing it again. Later, she downloaded a hotfix for a legitimate application and when she tried to install it, it did the same thing. Flashing screen, reboot required.

So, I took another look at it, and found this would happen whenever she tried to open a zip file. Furthermore, iexplore.exe would start thrashing the CPU when it happened. I checked the file association settings for zip files, and sure enough .zip files were set to be opened by Internet Explorer rather than XP's inbuilt "Compressed (Zipped) Folder" function. After a quick change, the system was back to normal.

It was a good reminder not to be too quick to point the finger at malware if a system begins acting strangely.

So, I was surprised today when I stumbled upon msramdmp, a RAM dumper that's been publicly available for a few months now.