Techbytes

Tell Congress No to PIPA and SOPA

2012-01-18T08:38:00.002-05:00

Join Google and others in the fight against PIPA and SOPA

I messed up my Blog for ever!!!!

2012-01-17T11:36:00.000-05:00

Recently I made some account changes, and lost all the picture links in my Blog. I apologize as it was a grievousness error on my part and a unwanted consequence of how Google handles accounts between Google Apps before and after some changes a while back. As I wanted to clean up and go back to using one account, for the blog, and as I wanted to get rid of some Google Voice numbers, the only solution I had was to change accounts and then delete the old one --- I forgot that the links to the pictures was in my old account (ARGH!), So, I am left with the choice of just keeping this Blog as it is because I am not going back to redo the entries, delete the posts, or get rid of the whole Blog.

What is your vote?

Sorry,

Delco

Adprep, the most important tool to update you Domain Controllers

2012-01-10T20:11:00.000-05:00

Do a little searching on the web, and you will find all sorts having problem updating the domain controllers from one version of Windows to the other .... humm, I have had some issues, and the issues stem from a bit of a confusion. Microsoft is not guiltless here since they sort of do the chicken and egg thing - you need to do this first, but you don't have it to do it.

The utility you need is adprep. The main thing you want to keep in mind is that you need the adprep that fits your environment. For example - You have Windows 2003 32 Domain controller, so in order to upgrade to Windows 2008 whatever (including 64 bit R2), you need the adprep from Windows 2008 32 bit, not 64 bit and not R2 either. So the confusion would be that if you are trying to put in a Windows 2008 64 bit Domain controller in a Windows 2003 32, you need to find the right adprep.

Now, where to find the right adprep. The utility seems to be in different location with different versions. In the R2 the adprep is in the second DVD in the "sources" folder, but in the single DVD 32 version of 2008 it is in CMPNENTS.

Seems like Microsoft could simplify the process by making sure that the right adprep is in all the DVDs and just label the folder accordingly because it can be that a person trying to the an upgrade is stuck searching the internet for it or downloading and ISO just to get the right version.

Quote from:
Important: Since at the time of running ADPREP you still do not have any Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers, it should be made clear that these commands MUST be run on EXISTING Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 Domain Controllers. That is why you MUST make sure you keep a copy of the 32-bit version of the Windows Server 2008 installation DVD. You cannot use the 64-bit version of the installation media to run ADPREP on 32-bit versions of Windows 2000/2003. Because Windows Server 2008 installation media is 64-bit by default, remember to request the 32-bit version when you get your copy. In case you don't have the 32-bit version available, you can also use the evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 32-bit installation media to run ADPREP, so just download the file from Microsoft's website, and use it to run ADPREP on your 32-bit Windows 2000/2003 DCs.

Delco

Death match me vs XP Antispyware 2012

2011-12-30T16:31:00.003-05:00

Recently received computer that was previously infected with some strain of XP Antispyware 2012.

Ok, set, fight!

1. Computer was previously infected with the above said virus and previous user had made all sort of attempts to fix it - probably not good things.
2. Avast had been the first sentry on duty and was completely mutilated by virus.
3. Malwarebytes, second sentry on duty - dead as a door nail.
4. Windows Firewall - third sentry also disabled by virus.
5. TCP/IP stack corrupted.
6. Blue Screens.
7. No Window Updates functional.

My turn:
1. Follow Bleeping Computer web site steps: virus-removal of xp-antispyware-2012
2. After I did the above, I was still not satisfied because I could run Malwarebytes in Safe mode, and it found one Trojan, but just did not feel it was good enough. So I took the drive out of the PC, plugged into my laptop with especial adapter that allows me to connect SATA drives as USB, and proceeded to scan with Malwarebytes, but lo and behold, my Microsoft Security Essentials found 8 viruses just by plugging it in and removed the viruses. I still finished scanning with Malwarebytes - came clean. Scanned again with two more scanners. All clean.
3. So I put the drive back in but even though I felt it was not infected, it was still corrupted.
4. Chkdsk fixed some more files.
5. TCP/IP stack was corrupted, and you could not get the PC on the network. Also Windows Repair was not working, so I followed these steps:

a. Locate the Nettcpip.inf file in %winroot%\inf, and then open the file in Notepad.
b. Locate the [MS_TCPIP.PrimaryInstall] section.
c. Edit the Characteristics = 0xa0 entry and replace 0xa0 with 0×80.
d. Save the file, and then exit Notepad.
e. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties.
f. On the General tab, click Install, select Protocol, and then click Add.
g. In the Select Network Protocols window, click Have Disk.
h. In the Copy manufacturer’s files from: text box, type c:\windows\inf, and then click OK.
i. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.
Note This step will return you to the Local Area Connection Properties screen, but now the Uninstall button is available.
j. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), click Uninstall, and then click Yes.
k. Restart

Succesfull uninstallation of TCP/IP will remove numerous keys from the registry including:

HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/tcpip
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/dhcp
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/dnscache
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/ipsec
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/policyagent
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/atmarpc
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/nla

These represent various interconnected and interdependant services.

For good measure you should delete the following keys before reinstalling TCP/IP in step #2:

HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/winsock
HKLM/system/CurrentControlSet/services/winsock2

Step #2

Reinstall of TCP/IP

Following the above substep #3, replace the 0×80 back to 0xa0, this will eliminate the related “unsigned driver” error that was encountered during the uninstallation phase.

Return to “local area connection”> properties > general tab > install > Protocol > TCP/IP

You may receive an “Extended Error” failure upon trying to reinstall the TCP/IP, this is related to the installer sub-system conflicting with the security database status.

To check the integrity of the security database
esentutl /g c:\windows\security\Database\secedit.sdb

There may be a message saying database is out of date
First try the recovery option
esentutl /r c:\windows\security\Database\secedit.sdb

If this don’t work for you, you needthe repair option
esentutl /p c:\windows\security\Database\secedit.sdb

Rerun the /g option to ensure that integrity is good and database is up to date.

Now return to the “local area network setup”
Choose install > protocol > TCP/IP and try again

Reboot.

Please see: Smokey's Security Web Log for a reference
6. Awesome, now I had network access again, but still had some blue screen issues so I had to reboot into safe mode and what I noticed was that Avast was still trying to load, so I uninstalled Avast and rebooted into normal mode.
7. I disabled all add-on toolbars in Explorer, and I also made sure that I looked for all residue Regentries and files left over by the virus these you can find on the clean up instructions of the Bleeping computer step by step. I did not find reg keys, but did find a bunch of suspicious files lurking in the profile folders.
8. Now the Firewall worked so I disabled all exceptions.
9. Also could not run windows update, so after a couple of failed attempts, this finally worked (error was 0x80070424):
a. turned on the service Background Intelligent Service
b. regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
10. Pulled a bunch of updates from Microsoft - Including service pack 3 even though it was a service pack three version of XP - so a lot was corrupted on it. Also made sure the video driver was updated also.
11. Re-installed Malwarebytes - ran scan good!
12. I had installed as part of the Windows Updates, Windows Defender - ran scan - clean!

This was a great match which I was not defeated. I have had many a fight this year with viruses, and so far I am 100% victorious. So I had to as part of my last Blog Entry of 2011, write something about it. Go to love it :)

Delco

Data Backup for normal humans and other lesser beings

2011-12-27T10:39:00.001-05:00

You know I like to blog about tech things; especially about "how to go about doing certain tech things;" but sometimes I am willing to just pass on what others have written in the spirit of sharing. And now, I have passed on a few of the blog entries from Jeremy because he writes really well. I have his book and I think it is a must for any Windows Administrator. No, he is not giving me any kickbacks, but he should :)

He recently wrote an article about how to backup your home data which I thought was excellent advise. I got to admit, that even I as a techie do not do all 8 steps; but I want to thank him for a reminder that I also need to beef up my home backup strategy a bit. This is at the top of my tech things to do in 2012.

Here is the link. Pass this on to anyone in your family and friends, not as Spam, but as a gift. Jeremy recommends you print it out, which, if you think about it, it would probably be more effective as many emails make for easier discarding.

8 Things you need to do to keep your data safe.

Delco

Problems installin Lync Office 365

2011-12-21T20:06:00.004-05:00

I have not had this problem but thought I would pass on a possible work around in case anybody runs into it. Got tip from Jeremy over at gpanswers.com -

http://community.office365.com/en-us/f/166/p/16355/75977.aspx?PageIndex=2

Delco

So people ask me all the time: What laptop should I get?

2011-11-25T11:08:00.001-05:00

I don't know how many times I get asked this question - see title. Jeremy from GPANSWERS has this great article that I can now just send to people to read and I don't even have to do any work. Cool!

It is funny though, and please read the whole article, that in the end he is in the process of buying a Lenovo Thinkpad which is what I have used now since the 1990's - why do I use a Thinkpad? Warranty, Warranty, Warranty, and the ability to fix them (I mean broken parts), myself also ..... they have always traditionally made Thinkpads to be field fixable.

Jeremy covers all the questions including, Netbooks and tablets and OS and hardware. So read it, book mark it, and SPAM it to all your friends and family this season instead of answering all those stupid questions - unless you like doing that sort of thing - I don't, I really don't want people to really know what I know anyway :)

Jeremy's Guide to how to buy a laptop for normal users

Delco

iPad day from hell update

2011-09-30T18:43:00.002-04:00

Friday 6 days after first and second iPad 3G form Verizon which totally sucked, we decided to bring it back and exchange it for the AT&T version. First thing I noticed was that registering the account went much smoother and that AT&T did not reject the credit card with auth code that VZ did not like. Also the registration happens quickly. When we got back to mom's house it picked up signal right away. Good sign. One more thing: we had also brought the second iPad to Verizon also and they were not able to do much. We also had brought back the second one to the Apple kiddies and their solution was to reboot the darn thing to get sig nal back. That was like every 15 minutes!!! Well let's see how this one works! deco

iPad from hell day continues

2011-09-28T19:26:00.000-04:00

You know I have only myself to blame. I had my mom buy an iPad without doing my own research. I've seen plenty of people using their iPads and everybody seemed happy. My mom is on her second iPad with 3g Verizon - nothing but problems. Drops internet after 15 minutes and the blue shirt apple kids don't know how to fix it. So much for my preconceived idea that it was a good product - bah humbug!

Apple Support on this problem

Article on the subject

Delco

My Apple iPad day from Hell!

2011-09-24T20:52:00.000-04:00

Just a little set up here. I have never in my life have owned anything from Apple. I have touched Apple devices just as a curiosity. So I finally drank the Kool-aid. I bought my mom, who is now 78, a refurbished a laptop years ago running Windows XP. This laptop served her well all these years, and I was able to support her even when she went to Florida via LogmeIn. But my mom still was using a dial up modem and she was always struggling with certain things. So when her laptop gave up the ghost she wanted me to recommend another. After thinking it over I thought maybe an iPad would suite her better because what she does is: Surf the internet, do her Yahoo email, and play games. She can also get th 3G version, do the 1 Gb and she would be able to take it with her back and forth from Michigan to Florida. So I told her that we would go shopping on Saturday.

Sat 9:30

I leave home to pick up mom and dad. Apple store opens at 10:00 am.