TechProsaic

Fix for PowerShell v2 on XP related crashes in MSCORSVW.DLL

halr9000 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:35:19 +0000

If you are seeing crashes in MSCORSVW.DLL, try this, it may help (and it won’t hurt):

Start-Job {
    Set-Alias ngen (dir (join-path ${env:\windir} "Microsoft.NET\Framework") ngen.exe -recurse |
    sort -descending lastwritetime
    )[0].fullName
    ngen executequeueditems
}

For more details, see this Connect bug:

Uninstalling KB968380 RC in XP/Srv2003 causes .NET Runtime Optimization Service to crash

A TON of stuff to check out in the new PowerShell Pack!

halr9000 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:20:56 +0000

If you haven’t already, run, do not walk to the MSDN Code Gallery to grab the PowerShell Pack (a part of the upcoming Windows 7 Resource Kit).

As announced on the PowerShell team blog, and discussed at great length on Episode 88 of the PowerScripting Podcast, the PowerShell Pack is a set of ten modules, nested into one for ease of installation. There is a ton of great stuff in here. I wrote up a bit of code to list all of the included functions:

$m = Get-Module PowerShellPack
$n = $m.NestedModules | Where-Object { $_.Name -ne 'WPK' } 
foreach ( $module in $n ) {
    Write-Host -ForegroundColor Green "Module: $( $module.name )" -NoNewline
    $module.ExportedCommands.Values | Sort-Object Name | Format-Wide Name
}

As you see in the Where-Object clause there, I am excluding the WPK module. The reason is simply due to the nature of that module, it has hundreds of functions and is really deserving of its own blog post—or book for that matter.

I’m not going to list the full output because I think that’s just cheesy Google gaming, but I will leave you with a teaser:

PS > Get-Module powershellpack | select -ExpandProperty NestedModules

ModuleType Name                      ExportedCommands

---------- ----                      ----------------

Script     IsePack                   {Push-CurrentFileLocation, Select-CurrentTextAsVariable, C...

Script     TaskScheduler             {Remove-Task, Get-ScheduledTask, Stop-Task, Add-TaskTrigge...

Script     WPK                       {Get-DependencyProperty, New-ModelVisual3D, New-DiscreteVe...

Script     FileSystem                {Get-FreeDiskSpace, New-Zip, Resolve-ShortcutFile, Mount-S...

Script     DotNet                    {Get-CommandWithParameterType, Get-ProgID, Get-Type}

Script     PSImageTools              {Add-CropFilter, Add-RotateFlipFilter, Add-OverlayFilter, ...

Script     PSRss                     {Read-Article, New-Feed, Remove-Article, Remove-Feed...}

Script     PSCodeGen                 {New-Enum, New-ScriptCmdlet, New-PInvoke}

Script     PSUserTools               {Start-ProcessAsAdministrator, Get-CurrentUser, Test-IsAdm...

Script     PSSystemTools             {Test-32Bit, Get-USB, Get-OSVersion, Get-MultiTouchMaximum...

PowerShell One-Liner: Get-PrimaryIPAddress

halr9000 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:13:43 +0000

Update @ 3:58 pm: At risk of losing the one-liner nomenclature at a very worthwhile increase in speed, read below.

The One-Liner WMI Version

One-liner to retrieve the first IP address of the first adapter which has a default gateway set. This is a very reliable, yet not perfect technique for determining the "right" IP address. It will work well in all but the most complex of network configuration scenarios.

@( Get-WmiObject Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration | Where-Object { $_.DefaultIpGateway } )[0].IPAddress[0]

Note that I have used the @() array notation around the Get-WmiObject call so that I don’t have to worry about how many network adapters come back. If only one comes back, I have an array with one item. If I didn’t do this, then I would have to do an if statement to check whether it’s an array (meaning that the system has multiple NICs with default gateways—which is super-rare but possible).

The .NET Class Method

It’s no longer a single line, but honestly, length is not a measure of quality in scripting. I noticed that the above WMI call was noticeably sluggish. Measurements with Measure-Command cmdlet showed an average execution time of 455 milliseconds. Here’s a different way using the Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkInterface .NET class.

$allNIC = [system.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkInterface]::GetAllNetworkInterfaces()
$PrimaryNIC = $allNIC | Where-Object { $_.GetIPProperties().GatewayAddresses }
$PrimaryNIC.GetIPProperties().UnicastAddresses[0].Address.IPAddressToString

New time averages 13 milliseconds on my system. That’s a huge difference which I was not surprised to see based on past experience.

Adding Port Groups with PowerCLI

halr9000 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:22:09 +0000

David at the Holy VM! blog just put up an article with a script showing you how to create port groups using PowerCLI. He was kind enough to reference my book as inspiration, so the least I can do in return is link to it.

Be sure to follow David’s blog, I see several interesting posts on there recently about his experiences with vSphere.

Twitter Updates for 2009-10-01

halr9000 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:48:00 +0000

heh, "Down Under" by Men at Work came up on the ipod. #
Happy Birthday to @jsnover! http://www.facebook.com/jsnover #
Incompatible Browser | Facebook http://ff.im/-92L1A #
writing some docs for ganglia #
Just got my renewal notification: I'm a Microsoft PowerShell MVP for another year! #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-30

halr9000 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

PoshBoard 2.0 Available http://ff.im/-8Vug2 #
PoshBoard 2.0 Available http://ff.im/-8Vug1 #
RT @ryanblock: Okay. I've been here friggin' 20 minutes and I've already spotted Ron Jeremy in my hotel. #
RT @GetScripting: Next week we will be talking to the man behind PoshBoard who has been working on an updated release. #
Inbox ZERO! #fb #
PowerShell Code Repository – Get Network Utilization http://ff.im/-8Wkrp #
useful little #powershell v2 function: function bg { icm { $args } -comp . -asjob } #
RT @JamesBru: #PSV2QuickTip – Watch for mass storage devices in #PowerShell V2 – Register-WmiEvent Win32_VolumeChangeEvent #
PowerShell dev James Brundage @JamesBru finally joined twitter and needs followers #
on a webex with people in Texas and Italy. gotta love the internet #
we have a linux server here with a load over 70. seems high #
If you were forced to pick, which would you prefer: A) US Federal power is drastically reduced (returning power to… http://ff.im/-8YQYV #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-29

halr9000 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

RT @Lee_Holmes: Last week's PowerScripting Podcast: http://bit.ly/3L5mY7. Eventing, transactions, and V2 stuff that nobody ever mentions! #
Precision Computing – PowerShell Cookbook Now Available on iPhone http://ff.im/-8RWXH #
Been reading Stephenson's "Anathem" past couple of weeks. I think it's making me smarter, or at least I feel that way. #
listening to The Doors tonight while writing some powershell training material #
RT @cmille19: RT @dfinke: Try PowerShell – An Interactive Tutorial http://bit.ly/2R0zxE #
Try PowerShell – An Interactive Tutorial http://ff.im/-8TvsO #
Try PowerShell – An Interactive Tutorial http://ff.im/-8TvsP #
listening to #twist podcast on the way into work #
Linux geeks in the next aisle are bashing SQL Server. Sadly, I have no ammo to defend it. #
bug'd: Access denied error when attempting to enable remoting with enable-psremoting cmdlet http://bit.ly/aONek #powershell #
PoshBoard 2.0 Released http://bit.ly/4tJKMx #powershell #
Access denied error when attempting to enable remoting with enable-psremoting cmdlet | Microsoft Connect http://ff.im/-8UPgE #
Conditional Select – PowerShellCommunity.org – Windows PowerShell Discussion Forums – Using PowerShell – General… http://ff.im/-8UPgH #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-28

halr9000 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

boys are outside collecting lizards. they are up to 3 different species so far #
Epic #powerCLI master! RT @LucD22: New blog post. The Onyx alternative ? See http://lucd.info/?p=412 #
hehe care for aggro lizards: "Use a UV light(Ultra Violent) during the day." http://bit.ly/hNI5s #
LucD notes The Onyx alternative ? http://ff.im/-8Ozwo #
Confirmed for the podcast: @jsnover 3rd week of Oct #
had to pay for washing machine fix this morn, then on way to work I get a nail in my tire. Monday score: -3 #fb #
on the plus side, my car has a tire pressure indicator which warned me before tire went flat so that's awesome. #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-27

halr9000 — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

up to 3 in. rain today. because atlanta _needs_ more rain #
I tip my hat to the new constitution #
Wow, that was not meant to be a political statement, only a song lyric, which is playing but…yeah. #
RT @stephenkruiser: "…greatest things about being Progressive is that you get to operate without reference to history" http://bit.ly/Jaaw4 #
Oh good, I just found that typing "http://microsoft.com/powershell" will take you to a very reasonable starting page. #
If Sanctions Don’t Work The First 1000 Times, Try, Try Again | Stephen Kruiser http://ff.im/-8MdLs #
Windows PowerShell Blog : V2 Quick Tip: Monitoring Performance Counters with PowerShell http://ff.im/-8Mrgh #
Just started Think as a Brick — please do not disturb for the next 43 minutes #
Yes–I know all the words #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-26

halr9000 — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

VMware Communities: Serial number ? http://ff.im/-8IjYW #
VMware: vSphere PowerCLI Blog: How to run PowerCLI scripts from vCenter Alarms. http://ff.im/-8Iwsk #
sorry–i'm rocking out, TTYL #
We just had someone tell us that their application doesn't need monitoring because it works fine #
listening to some "Yes" while working on a powercli article #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-25

halr9000 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

RT @MicrosoftPress: The Russinovich virtual roundtable just started: http://ow.ly/qTyr #
Microsoft Press : Author news: Mark Russinovich virtual roundtable on September 24 http://ff.im/-8EGyN #
apparently I've been here long enough at work to start accumulating hardware #
listening to TWIT on way into work #
now playing: Silverchair #
went through a bit of keyboard adjustment, having some ergo issues I think with my wrist #
TGIF #
RT @mattroblin: Has anyone else managed to get the Serial Number from an HP server using #PowerCli? http://bit.ly/2swyNM #
at a datacenter tour at work looking at a tape library that is twenty-one tiles large #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-24

halr9000 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Having one of those moments where my brain is full. #
powerscripting Podcast will be recorded TONIGHT! guest: Lee Holmes from the PowerShell team. 9:30PM EDT be there! #
Looking forward to tonight's podcast. #
Headed to @jonwalz to record podcasat #
About to start recording, please join us! #powershell http://bit.ly/15QmtB #
Now talking with Lee Holmes from the PowerShell development team http://bit.ly/15QmtB #
epic powershell v2 newness: Get-Help New-Object -Parameter property #
You Had Me At EHLO… : What's New in the Exchange Management Console for Exchange Server 2010 – Part 3 http://ff.im/-8DRQJ #
Really tired for some reason. Could be staying up till midnight recording the podcast had something to do with it #
installing powershell on Windows Embedded Standard (XP) #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-23

halr9000 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

New series on PowerCLI – Virtualization Pro http://ff.im/-8×4kX #
RT @jonathanmedd: New Blog Post: Find the BIOS Version of an ESX Host http://bit.ly/SLSeK #powershell #powercli #
BSonPoSH » Heads up on an upcoming codeplex project. http://ff.im/-8xO7Y #
Getting Process Windows Titles – Power Tips – PowerShell.com http://ff.im/-8xO7Z #
Scheduling VMware’s FT (Fault Tolerance) http://ff.im/-8xO7T #
Break not working in ForEach « Dmitry’s PowerBlog: PowerShell and beyond http://ff.im/-8xO7W #
powerscripting Podcast will be recorded TONIGHT! guest: Lee Holmes from the PowerShell team. 9:30PM EDT be there! #
Oops ignore me–we record podcast Wednesday! sorry! we do still have Lee Holmes though! #
I feel like a dweeb–one who doesn't know what day today is #
Doing schlotzky's with the boys http://yfrog.com/0rgp3ej #
PowerShell Code Repository – Get-SerialNumber http://ff.im/-8Ax6C #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-22

halr9000 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

uh oh, friend's house is flooding in Rose Creek #fb #
headed home due to flooding :< #fb #
#gaflood road closed: bells ferry rd SB right before hwy 575 #
#gaflood pic of bells ferry at hwy 575 in cherokee cty #fb http://yfrog.com/2tn0mj #
Hwy 75, 92 closed due to flooding. #
Looks like my house is fine. At least one neighbor is not as lucky #
Installing vmware workstation 6.5.3. I need to get the v7 beta I think #
grooving to some Radiohead and writing blog posts #
PowerWF http://ff.im/-8uYSY #
Posted. RT @SearchVMwareTT: Hal Rottenberg joins the SearchVMware.com writers with his first blog post: http://bit.ly/frb50 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-21

halr9000 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

RT @jonwalz: Posted PowerScripting Podcast, no interview this week. Enjoy as @halr9000 and I talk about PowerShell (and Zune?) #
What do you think of this idea? RT @xcud: PowerWF – PowerCLI Stack http://retwt.me/3ZX1 #
Sitting in dr office waiting…and reading tweets #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-20

halr9000 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

on a mini-vacation at a lake house near charlotte,nc #fb #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-19

halr9000 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

PowerShell 3.0: Why wait? Importing typed objects with typed properties from a CSV file « Poshoholic http://ff.im/-8lNe7 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-18

halr9000 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

for sale, two "classic" computer books! act fast! [pic] http://ff.im/-8hkmN #
If you ever want to derail a software developer, ask him to explain his version numbering scheme http://bit.ly/LiQ7h #
Software versioning – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://ff.im/-8hECi #
RT @jonwalz: Things I want: Zune HD, Kindle DX … <– me too #
Tonight on the PowerScripting Podcast: Hal and Jon go solo! Last time that hpnd we did listener interviews, so who knows? #
headed to @jonwalz to record podcast #
Trolling the news feeds for powershell stories http://bit.ly/15QmtB #
Now recording: http://bit.ly/15QmtB #
Thanks to those that hung out with us last night at PowerScripting Live, had fun #
PowerShell Cute: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dani3l3/3924854309/ #
RT @VMBlogcom: Citrix Releases Workflow Studio 2.0 http://bit.ly/3sTMPk <- much #powershell goodness here #
PS> Get-Milk on Flickr – Photo Sharing! http://ff.im/-8kHe1 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-17

halr9000 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Now here's a little story I got to tell about three bad brothers you know so well… #
Ronald Reagan – Wikiquote http://ff.im/-8dWZj #
Precision Computing – More advanced HTTP scripting: Facebook Photo Album Downloader http://ff.im/-8fbsT #
PowerShell Function Factory http://ff.im/-8fbsU #
Spelunky World http://ff.im/-8fc2t #
http://ping.fm/p/vsNBL – for sale, two "classic" computer books! act fast! #

Twitter Updates for 2009-09-16

halr9000 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

working on a visio diagram & some docs #
ugh I cannot STAND talking to IVR systems http://bit.ly/12cY0R #
Interactive voice response – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://ff.im/-8dpcW #
The size of the Federal budget is not an appropriate barometer of social conscience or charitable concern http://bit.ly/14PQVg #