Computer Support - Rated E for Everyone

small-portable-fast-malware-anti-virus-scanner

2012-01-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

For a fast small portable malware removal scanner try superantispyware portable edition scanner. It is free and can run from the infected computer's hard-drive or from a USB drive. Often malware and other bad-ware will disable internet access or sites that contain tools that can clean the computer.
Superantispyware portable does not need to be installed and can run from a USB or other drive.
I have used this program ofetn over the years and even before they had the portable edition. Works very well.

2012-01-15T10:43:00.001-08:00

Outlook Web App didn't initialize - Exchange 2010

2011-12-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

Desktops, Servers, and Networks, oh MY!

Outlook Web App didn't initialize - Exchange 2010

OWA version: 14.1.355.2

Exchange 2010 Outlook Web App loads the login form page for users of OWA but after login an error page is displayed that displays an error indicating that Outloo kWeb App cannot initialize. This is an authentication issue.

In the case of the blogged server situation. The SSL cert was purchased form digicert.com and pplied successfully. The problem was the settings in IIS and in Exchange management console for client access of outlook web access (woops, outlook web app) were not "matching".

Server configuration > client access > owa properties > Authentication Tab

Select Use Forms Based, User name only. Enter your logon domain (your local internal Active Directory domain).

Next, in IIS7, go to the following spot in the tree under Default Website and set the authentication like the following image shows.

That's all I had to do on my Exchange 2010 server to get past the OWA error message after login in of :

Outlook Web App didn't initialize

Citrix Session Printers Registry Key Location

2011-11-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

Session printers created via policy in Citrix XenApp are considered local printers. As such they are in the registry key that is common for local printer definitions. That registry key location on Windows 2008 R2 is :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers

Problem with session printers such as additional printers appearing in the user's list of available printers while in a session, most often is a result of driver corruption. Once the corrupt driver has been fixed or removed, you may have printers still showing up in user sessions that do not belong.

One of the things you can check is the key in the registry where the session printers are defined.
For stuck printers, as option to get rid of them is often to delete the users profile but that's not always the best option so removing the session printers defined for that user can be done through the registry. Be cautious when removing but when there are no users logged into the Cirix Xenapp server, there should be no session printers defined.

God Mode in Windows 7

2010-01-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

Windows 7 interface (and desktop) is rather clean and minimalist. Control panel as XP, 2000, and other previous OS version before offers a place to acess and change settings. There's a lot of cliking into the different applets in control panel to get to the setting you may need at the time. It won’t allow you to see and easily use all those nested settings included in the main options.

Did you know that you can become a God? Well, at least on Windows 7!
One of the less known options on Windows 7 is the God Mode feature. Basically, it lets you have every setting and option right in front of you, ready to be used without having to browse among different settings before getting what you are looking for. Here is how to enable it:
Right click on any bank space on your desktop.
Click new from the menu and create a New Folder.
Rename the folder as follow: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
DO NOT use this trick on Vista and Windows 7 64X. It will cause your Windows to crash! (read comments below)

This simple command will create a special shortcut to the God Mode option letting you access all Windows 7 functions via a handy GUI!
EDIT: GodMode also works on Windows Vista!
[credit: stadt-bremerhaven.de]

I HAVE NOT TRIED THIS YET....

List Users With Forwarding Enabled Exchange 2003

2009-06-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

List Users With Forwarding Enabled Exchange 2003

To find all users in AD that have forwarding turned and enabled for their account and mailbox create a new saved query in AD Users and Computers and use the following LDAP query.

(&(mailNickname=*)(altRecipient=*))

This is very useful obviously if there a many accounts and you need to find all users that have had forwarding turned on for their account. The alternative to this is to select the properties of each user account one at a time and look at the delivery options configuration.

A Browser Active Sync Test URL

2009-05-27T09:56:00.001-07:00

https://owa.{yourdomain.gr}/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync/

The URL could even be http if SSL is not configured on the server to be required.

Testing active sync using a browser returns as an error in the browser window of Error 501/505 - Not implemented or not supported.

For Exchange 2007 and Outlook Web Access 2007, the error 501 and 505 seen on the page displayed is actually normal and should be the response the browser receives from the web server. After all, it's not a mobile phone it's a browser.

Web Based Remote Support Software

Although the error massage has changes slightly in windows server 2008 and windows server 2008 R2, it is very similar. The URL for testing activesync and remote support for active sync of course is still in new versions of Exchange. Microsoft Exchange 2007 and Microsoft Exchange 2010 still use the same service point with the IIS web server structure and virtual directories.
To the remote user and to the smartphone it's still the same. underneath, server side, there have been many changes to Internet Information Services. In Windows server 2008 and 2008 R2, IIS has undergone many functional and interface changes for server administrators. When trying to setup a smartphone or mobile device, iPad or iPhone for activesync to get email from an exchange server, the URL is still the same. Web based remote support software can assist in access the server remotely and working out the issues with the configuration and also help solve connectivity issues remotely as well. The URL that can be used to test active sync access and connectivity is the same and can be tested bot internally and externally . The difference being of course what name is entered into the browser and support for internal and external access is the same as well.

Microsoft HMC 4.5 Deployment Walkthrough - Does it Work

2008-12-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

Microsoft's HMC 4.5 Deployment Walkthrough is an excellent document and I could say that it does work.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc501367.aspx

I found some minor little errors in the doc but none that were significant enough for a person with a good level of experience with the various Microsoft products to be able to recognize and get past.

There are doubters of course as to whether or not the deployment walkthrough actually will guide someone through installing their hosted Exchange 2007 environment. I did not build hosted communications or hosted sharepoint, only hosted Exchange.

My deployment did not match the deployment walkthrough exactly. And this fact is a testament to how well Microsoft has put together this iteration and release of the hosted messaging and collaboration. I build the infrastructure with the following servers, and believe me more will be added, but at this moment after just completing the install and applying my real SAN cert (not the SSL certs I generated on my own internal root certificate CA server).

Particularly in the domain controller department, I sped through the deployment by using only one domain controller. I'll be adding another this week and preparing for our first customers. I have 9 servers in total with a build out expected in the near future to include more servers to expand and increase performance and redundancy. Very soon and firstly, within a day or so I will have reached 10 servers for this HMC 4.5 deployment by simply adding another domain controller which is an absolute must and critical that it's deployed as soon as possible. Running with one DC is a recipe for a disaster (as we all know). When that server is added to the environment, the number of servers will be a consolidated 10 (ten) servers for this hosted Exchange HMC 4.5 solution deployment.

This is a consolidated hosted messaging and collaboration HMC 4.5. It was an accident that I created it as such and did start my work building the HMC 4.5 deployment from the consolidated HMC 4.0 deployment guide (an unofficial guide). I have for servers the following (names and roles to be added later):

There have been some grunting and groaning about Microsoft's deployment walkthrough document but I have to say it worked. The deployment walkthrough and in a consolodated design worked. This is my first install of the messaging and collaboration solution of any version. My HMC 4.5 deployment works with a minimum of servers (that will be scaled out to accommodate real production use). Overall, except for some minor issues the document does what's expected; provide a guide and example of a hosted solution installation and deployment. They cannot in a single document explain SQL, Exchange inner workings, or even the provisioning system in detail. This also make handy use of weeding out those who should not yet be deploying. A very experienced person with Microsoft products will find many of the steps easy to accomplish but a not so seasoned person will find the document and steps to accomplish the tasks not so helpful because every step of let's say, making changes or additions in active directory, are not explained or spelled out.

I saw that as I was working through the doc. I could see points that would make people give up because they can take a left turn during the walkthrough deployment and it will cost them dearly. I had one of those nearly deathly turns with the deployment of SQL report server. This is an area that I am familiar with but don't work with this particular product everyday and it showed as I worked through the deployment steps I had to verify to myself several times before taking action that it was the right thing to execute or do. My report server component of SQL installed without the databases it needed. Who knows why? Before this deployment I had another going that I scrapped for other reasons but the report server databases installed. In this round, they did not. I kept the abandoned deployment and used the datebase from that installation by exporting it and importing it. Although I believed I did the same thing as the first install and I was reading and working from the same Microsoft walkthrough deployment guide document, the install was different. I managed to get myself through the problem but several days were certainly lost.

Perhaps in another post I can mention my experience with the SAN (Subject Alternate Name) Unified Communications cert.

Hosted Exchange 4.5 Walkthrough Does it Work

This deployment is not for everyone and everyone should not be deploying it. The document for the walkthrough deployment from Microsoft is excellent. Sure, there could have been more detail but the document is not meant to provide every step along the way. Microsoft has to assume and expect there will be some level of expertise and knowledge induced into the installation by the installer, Microsoft can't and should not put it into one single document. I wish I had noted the minor errors I found in the doc so I could send them to Microsoft for document correction. Again, without enough or the right amount of knowledge, those little errors could be devastating. For the smokey room conspirator theory folks who may be reading this post, who think Microsoft is evil, here's something to think about; perhaps Microsoft put those little errors in the document by design, ...hmmm... , purposefully weed out companies from the hosted game ... a selective or survival of the fittest process.

Microsoft did a great job with the HMC 4.5 document. Using it I was able to deploy a hosted Exchange 2007 server environment. I absolutely do not claim to be an expert in the multi-tenant Exchange environment but I surely have more than a foot in the door of learning and experiencing much more about it.

I just recently finished testing Outlook Anywhere functionality with the 4.5 HMC Exchange environment using a fictitious organization but a real domain using real DNS servers. The functionality works pretty darn good. Once again, Microsoft did an excellent job with the document and deployment guide walkthrough. The clients find the autodiscover redirect site then get sent to the autodiscover site within the hosted solution. Once there, they get their configuration data, logon, and up come the mailbox. It's fantastic the way Microsoft has put this together.

If during the testing phase of the deployment you have issued certificates to the autodiscover web site and internally to your Exchange servers using a root CA authority you built and is not a public root CA. A tip I could give to people who might be at this part of their deployment walkthrough and testing their Outlook Anywhere capabilities is to be sure to import the root CA certificate into the trusted root store for the user at the remote computer looking to connect with Outlook Anywhere. The symptoms are that Outlook finds the autodiscover web site, the user logs on, all seems well but the mailbox for the user does not load. A message similar to the following. "the profile is not configured" or " be sure you can connect to your exchange mailbox" .

The deployment guide actually states that Outlook Anywhere will not work without certs installed and applied to the web sites involved, and this I proved but a temp work around that will only be good for testing is to import the root certificate of the certificate authority server into the users root certificate store. It does not have to be the computer certificate store. This will allow the mail box to load into Outlook for the remote test user but until the real certificate is used (a public SAN UC SSL certificate), the user will be constantly prompted for a password. So Microsoft is right, without certificates the solution will not work for a real deployment of Hosted Exchange HMC 4.5.

Link to this site and/or post please if you've found it at all useful. Use the following URLs, thank you.

http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/

http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/2008/12/microsoft-hmc-45-deployment-walkthrough.html

You do not have permission to send to this recipient. Relay access denied.

2008-08-07T03:14:00.000-07:00

You do not have permission to send to this recipient.

2008-08-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

You do not have permission to send to this recipient. Relay access denied

I had this message come up in NDR reports for every account that was trying to send email out of a local domain to an Internet email recipient (basically everyone not in your company). There are indeed many sites that present a reason and solution for this but not many at all present the obvious that may have occurred on the Exchange server that's causing this problem.

If there are many hands in the pot at an office you support and suddenly you have an Microsoft Exchange server that's acting up and now on can send email and the message is similar to the following:

You do not have permission to send to this recipient. For assistance, contact your system administrator. : Relay access denied

The relay access is denied is the key to solving this email sending problem with Exchange. This doesn't mean that the server is blacklisted or is an open relay or somehow has been compromised and this message is in fact coming from your email server. the email never makes out of the Exchange box itself. You could waste time in logs trying to determine why it's bouncing but the simple solution is that the domain users have been denied, or stated differently, have been prevented from sending email.

The solution for this is not as complicated although there could be some other problems that led someone to tamper with these settings in the first place and maybe set them improperly. In Exchange 2003, if your getting "You do not have permission to send to this recipient" "Relay access denied", check that your users have permission to send. This setting can be found in Exchange System Manager under Default SMTP virtual server. Right click the virtual server and choose properties. The click the Access tab at the top.

Then Click the Authentication button.

Then click the Users button.

Make sure you enable Relay Permission for your users. In the case where I was getting these NDRs, the Authenticated users group was displayed with the Relay Permission enabled but that wasn't enough. I added the Domain Users group and enabled relay for the group. Save your changes and give it a try.

Computer Desktop and Server Management

2008-05-06T15:53:00.001-07:00

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Computer Desktop and Server Management

Servers, Workstations and Networks, oh MY!: Netgear PS121 Print Server - USB to LAN

2008-04-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Servers, Workstations and Networks, oh MY!: Netgear PS121 Print Server - USB to LAN

I'm the only that thinks these desktop to network print server aren't bad. This is a very nice adition to any small home network or small company network. Although the cost of network printers, that is, printers that come with a built in network card have dropped, it re-asuring to know that the printers already owned by an individual or a small company that are connected via USB to a computer in the office can easily be converted to a network printer and more easiliy sharable and accesable to the other computers on the network.

Barracuda Email Spam Filter

2008-03-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I'm a fan of software based anti-spam applications versus appliance. I've used Network Associates and Symantecs software programs to block and stop spam from reaching Exchange email servers. The Barracuda spam filter is an appliance that I've installed on numerous occasions and have found that the installation is always less complicated than those applications that need to be installed directly on an email server.

For those of you that have the pleasure of having to install applications on Exchange box, you know you have to take that deep breadth and get a little psyched because as you know, anything could go wrong.

With an appliance there is much less pressure in regards of worrying that you'll lose a sever in the process. Just rack and configure ip addressing and your off. With some tweaks, the appliance is doing it's job. The one thing I absolutely do not like about this spam appliance in particular, and there could be others that don't suffer from the same lack of feature, is that it has no integration at all with Active Directory.

One Stop Bloggers Search Directory

2008-03-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

Search this site for the latest blog news , entertainment and political topics

BloggerNow.com

VMware Boot From ISO Image

2008-02-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

VMware-boot-from-iso-image-2

One of the nice features of VMware workstation is the feature that gives the user of the the software the ability to boot from an ISO image. This is a great feature and another display of some of the great thought put into this application.

If the computer on which VMWare workstation doesn't have a DVD player for example, the ISO image stored on the hard-drive of the host computer or on a network drive can be used to start the installation. The ISO image is read and if it's the installation media for Vista for example, the installation begins.

The guest operating system once installed and during the installation doesn't even "know" that's it's being run virtualized. This is a wonderful feature of VMWare workstation and I often find myself asking why didn't this solution come out many years ago as it's a terrific aid for testing and support of applications. With seperate operating sytems, virtual of course, tests can be run much easier as there's realy no restore to perform or drive swapping like in the old days to bring the system back to a state for a re-test.

Computer remote support software

Conferencing And Collaboration - With LiveMeeting

2008-02-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

Conferencing And Collaboration

Microsoft LiveMeeting has a new version and some great new features to go with it.

Sign-up for a demo:

LiveMeeting Demo

Read White Paper:

Conferencing and Collaboration White Paper

LiveMeeting 2007 also has an Outlook add-on that allows you to send invitations in Outlook for online conferences. Microsoft LiveMetting is part of Microsoft's 365 Online Cloud application offering.

Remote Support Software

Remote support on the web is can also be found in a cloud based or Internet based access for clients and technicians. Software applications have changed so much that the cloud or SaaS providers can offer all applications that were once only found locally installed on the enterprise or small medium business network own hardware. Vitalization and multi-tenant applications and server services such as Active Directory and other services such as Microsoft Exchange email mailboxes.
Web based remote support software which began as a customer premisss installed application for computer remote control changed to a hosted solution very rapidly. Self hosted are installed applications for support still exist and flourish because the need to have a closed app, that it with no Internet access, is still la requirement in many offices which limit access to the Internet by many of their users. The most substantial difference is that once web based remote support required many firewall and router changes to be effected. That applied also to basic computer remote control access as well.

As time went on,. there has been a lesser need to change firewalls or router configuration for Internet based remote support software to function. This has created a huge technical support industry for just supporting the technical industry. This is a form of technology supporting technology. Remote support software has made a huge difference in how small and medium businesses are supported and with cloud computing taking one more and more of the daily hardware architecture for many businesses, remote support software is the way they are supported. Cloud based hardware or IaaS, Infrustucture as a Service, is part of the cloud solutions and remote support software often is built into many of these solutions.

Although Microsoft does not characterize or market their Microsoft Meeting product as web based remote support software, the software has the ability to help people assist each other. It has screen sharing capabilities and meant for online conferencing and online meetings but the fact that remote access and computer sharing options are available, web based remote support software is a feature of the application, possible and works very well. It's would be a solution that's not only useful for online collaboration but also for technical support when needed although it's primary function and purposed is not for remote support.

Computer & Networking News and Reviews: Remote Support Software Solution

2008-02-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

Computer & Networking News and Reviews: Remote Support Software Solution

Microsoft LiveMeeting

I had the luck to see not only a demo of Microsoft's newley updated online application for collaboration, conferencing, and support but it was used for real in a support session whilst wowrking with a client to resollve some applciation issues on one of their server.

The application was a document imaging and database application purchased in an effort to help the office go paperless and their were some issues that were being logged and tracked. After some time had elapst, the support group for the application wanted to login to the server remotely to take a look and to apply some fixes to help resolve the problem the customer was having with their desktop software.

The issue was feezing and without the use of the applciation is full force roll-out yet, this was considerably odd behavior. The computer support company logged in using Livemeeting from Microsoft and we gave them access tot he server for remote support. the software worked grweat and very quick, the support group was able to access all aspects of the server and we still maintained control of the server's desktop keyboard and mouse movements too.

Sign-up for a demo:

LiveMeeting Demo

Read White Paper:

Conferencing and Collaboration White Paper

Conferencing, Collaboration and Support

Supporting Technology with Technology.

2008-02-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

Supporting Technology with Technology

Microsoft LiveMeeting has a new version and some great new features to go with it.

Sign-up for a demo:

LiveMeeting Demo

Read White Paper:

Conferencing and Collaboration White Paper

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Calendaring agent failed in message save notification with error 0x80040219

2007-11-07T04:29:00.000-08:00

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Calendaring agent failed in message save notification with error 0x80040219

http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/

Unable to open the free/busy information.

2007-10-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Outlook, and more so when combined with Microsoft Exchange, can surprise even a veteran administrator with the number of messages and things that could happen. A new message displayed to an average user can trigger instant change to what might be another ordinary day as a chase ensues for answers to uncommon problems.

My last post about a strange error coming from either Outlook or Exchange server was back aways here - http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/2007/05/calendaring-agent-failed-in-message.html . Although that was my last post, it was not a last error message displayed.

I did want to post this open a recently displayed one however. Just so it's available to any followers of my postings and maybe just to add another resource to the web for anyone searching an answer to the problem. An answer which I used myself and I know it works. It's not a re-iterated answer found in a forum where the support forum poster just copied and pasted it from another forum or site without haven actually tried the solution they are recommending themselves.

What solved this problem for me was just running outlook /cleanfreebusy. So simply, on the users computer for which you would like to chare the calendar, and have completed the steps to do so, close Outlook if it is running then start it again using the command line switch /cleanfreebusy.

This will, in almost all cases, solve the problem. Don't waste too much time checking on the Exchange server for the cause to this problem, you won't find an aswner there untill you run the simple command line option for Microsoft Outlook. I almost all cases this is a user side problem and should first be delt with on the local computer on which MS Outlook is running on.

Outlook creates some local files for the calendar and they can get "dirty" the information in the files stored ont he computer and the Exchange server are not lined up right. The calandar information needs to be refreshed. The solution for the message "unable to open the free/busy information" applies to Outlook 2000, 2002, and 2003.

In some case, for Outlook 2003, Microsoft Office service pack 1 needs to be installed.

Remember the service pack will need to be applied on the on the computer of the user for whom the calendar is being viewed or an entry is being created/modified, not for the user receiving the error.

If using Outlook 2003, take a look to see if Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Service Pack 2 (SP2) is installed for Outlook.

To determine if either SP1 or SP2 is installed on the computer:

Start MS Outlook then click Help in the menu bar.
From the dropdown menu, choose About Microsoft Office Outlook.
On the top line of the About Microsoft Office Outlook window, look for SP1 or SP2.

If neither Service Pack 1 nor Service Pack 2 appears on the first line in the about window that's displayed, install SP1.

Computer Remote Support Software

2007-06-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Technology has become not just a part of everyday life, but has nearly consumed it for many people. People most especially effected by the technological infiltration of into all corners of life have been the computer desktop and server support professionals.

Once, during the earlier days of the transition from the non-tech every living to the days of all things technology, the requests for assistance with a technological hurdle by a co-worker were mostly confined to the the office. With the people who really were into technology taking on tech challenges after the work day completed. Most other folks who left the office would go home to their non high tech life styles and do whatever they did without the burden of clicking or touch screening or scrolling on any thing. Now, it's not just the techies who go home and tinker with high tech devices, it's a larger percent of the population.

It started with the home computer users then the casual surfers and now it's become an unstoppable train of technology that's effecting most aspects of life. It's not just the pros or business owners who can't stop working, it's all ages and types. It seems one of the most natural tendencies for humans is to interact with their own kind. To communicate to someone what they are thinking, what they are doing or planning to do. This need to communicate has gone far beyond the instant messengers, of which there are dozens, all fighting for users to slam ads into the faces of, to text messaging. This all doesn't stop on the computers as we know. Just recently in a big provider phone store, I noticed that there were no phones left that were a basic calling device. They all had cameras, video, Internet access, beautiful color screens, loads of graphics and capabilities. They are becoming more like mini computers. Traditional computers just have people stuck in one place mostly as they are to large to just slip into a pocket and go.

All the capabilities are now being stuffed into more mobile devices and they are selling with no slow down in sight. All to just satisfy the need to communicate in some fashion whether words or pictures, with someone else. Support, and remote support (briefly covered in a prior post), for these devices has changed also. Especially the mobile workers. They once had a computer that was connected to (I won't say dial-up Internet connections or dial-up connections directly to the office) but to the Internet and they someway connected into the company network and they did their work. Now remote or mobile workers have voice too on their desktops at home or wherever they're travelling (more stuff to support). Internet speeds provided by ISP providers are astonishing and almost imaginable in the early years of the Internet evolution.

Computer support mostly took place during regular business hours with the occasional call form the work-aholic from home. Now, support calls come from all directions and from many "regular" computer users. They are from the most simplest of problems to diagnose and troubleshoot to more complicated networking or application issues. Computer remote support software has changed too to match the needs of the mobile and remote work force. Once, a simple computer remote support application was installed on the computer that was located at home, and really didn't move, and the tech could just "dial-in" with computer support software and have remote control of the computer to fix the problem. The computer remote support software application was non-changing the connection didn't change much and was almost always available and the same. Now computer remote support has changed to include PDAs, tablet PCs, desktops of course, computers, towers, servers, dynamic IP addresses, static addressing, etc. It's like hitting a moving target as many users will even have more than one computer to work from. The days of computer remote support software just being on a single computer that didn't move and changed really slowly have evolved into a frenzy of quickly asserting where the person is and what's their connection speed and how to connect quickly.

Although many older users still refer to remotely connecting to computers as "dialing-in" it has come far from the ancient tones and flickering light of modems and dial-up connection times. especially when considering that a phone can have more bandwidth that the old computers once did.

Adtran Atlas 550

2007-05-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Adtran Atlas 550 series of IAD devices must be one of the most reliable hardware networking devices available on the market today. this series has been available and is in so mnay networks it's hard to find another device in this category as an equal. I have one of these units and I've installed them for customers to. They are easy to program and configure ( some good foundational knowledge assists greatly). They are modular and support a large number of technologies.

My Adtran Atlas 550 has two v.35 interfaces two t1/PRI modules and 4 port BRI and a another network module. I've used it for simulating frame-relay networks and also setting of equipment for customers before I going on site to the customer's office. Also used it for testing equipment. and have installed several for customers as a channel bank and a multi-point CSU/DSU.

They are reliable and because they're modular purchases for only what's needed but having room for expansion is a no brainer. I recommend the Adtran Atlas 550 to anyone. Cisco routing and switching is reliable too but they are so much more pricey than Adtran.

Adtran's support is very good too and that's very important when you have a network down emergency or even during installation. A smooth installation is very important too for customer perception and confidence building. It's good to have good network techincal support that can be counted on.

Tags: adtran,networking, T1,IAD, frame-relay

Desktop Remote Support Software

2007-05-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Desktop Remote Support Software

Supporting multiple desktops dispersed in a large geographical areas is challenging. In some cases, the geographic area the remote desktop computers are located are beyond the techs local or immediate area, they're globally spread out. I have posted some of the advantages remote tech support in the past (another post about supporting desktops remotely and another of pc remote support software)

Desktop remote support software provide for efficient access to desktops connected all over the world. Desktop remote support software give tech support the reach they need to connect to and provide the remote support of software applications and computer operating system support. Desktop remote support software inherently gives control to the technician enabling them to have the same desktop access as if they were right in front of the computer desktop performing the same tasks to solve the problem or add features or software to the remote desktop PC.

Often, desktop remote support software requires the end-user to give permission to the remote technician. This is a security feature built into many such applications for obvious desktop security reasons. One of which is to not enable a tech to access a computer with out the users knowledge. Other application of desktop remote support software has end-user acknowledgement as an option and often it's turned off allowing a technician to provide remote desktop support during off-hours, without the consent or knowledge of the remote desktop user.

This type of desktop remote support software is usually installed by a technician while on site or remotely as well. The installation will consist of a service being added to the computers list of service running ion the background and will also have a taskbar icon associated with it. This would be in fact the only indication that the desktop remote support program is installed at all particularly if the notify the desktop user of a remote desktop connection option has been turned off to the tech support group or person.

While there are many desktop remote support software and options, anyone can concede that the best way to provide remote support to desktops connected to the Internet anywhere is via desktop remote support software.

Tags:
desktop remote support software,
desktop,
remote desktop,
remote support

Calendaring agent failed in message save notification with error 0x80040219

2007-05-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Calendaring agent failed in message save notification with error 0x80040219
Exchange 2003 SP2

I had an error message like the one above show up on the exchange server application log. I never seen this message before and was kind of alarmed at what it could be. The details in the log entry pointed out inconsistency problems with several public folders. The original cause and description of the problem that required me to go to this clients office was they said their Internet access and email (and whole network) was running slowly.

Less than half an hour after the call, I spoke with the customer. They said the problem had go away but would like to know what caused it. I dug into the logs first and saw several errors similar to:

Calendaring agent failed in message save notification with error 0x80040219 on the Exchange 2003 server.

At first it didn't click-in as to why this error would slow down everything including Internet access bu then remembered that this customer had a replica server of the exchange box off-site. That site was connected via a VPN. The error had to do with inconsistencies found in the database. Exchange will normally try to fix inconsistencies and be on its merry way - and it did. In this case however, the public folder calendar that contained the inconsistencies had to be replicated to the the other server. The public folder was large and the transfer slowed Internet access down considerably.

[Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access Driver] Cannot open database '(unknown)'

2007-03-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

I encountered as error such as this one on a customer's web server. The server is Microsoft Windows 2000 with service pack 4 and it is running IIS5. The hardware on which the IIS services run is an Dell. Since the hardware is not the issue or subject of this post I won't add much details about it. It does have some miles on it but overall it seems to be working fine.

The problem is when a web surfer hits the web server to access it's pages, the page loads but any connections the page makes to some access databases ( a real hack programmer did most of the vb-script in the pages and the access mdb file access) a variation the error:

[Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access Driver] Cannot open database '(unknown)'

would display along with the page. I have been n dozens of forums and followed many of the suggestions made to correct this problem. I updates the ODBC drivers to the latest update, I've updates the MDAC, I tried rebuilding the DSN, etc..

For any of you who have come across this page while searching for a solution to this problem, check this out. I solved this by resetting the security setting on the IIS web server. The top level of the tree when looking through IIS Manager MMC Slap-in. If you mdb file is local to the server and you have already given the anonymous user all the NTFS fights it needs but you are still having this issue, then go ahead and reset the permissions on the IIS web server. That will help solve the problem. You can do it using the permissions wizard.

You may have to tweak things a bit afterwards to be familiar with some of the customer setting changes you may have made. For example the default page, if you had it set for index.html, it will be reset to default.htm. You may even encounter after you try what I just said would solve your problem, that when you try to load pages on the server through a browser you get prompted for enter a login ID and password. This is because integrated NT authentication was turned on. You would want to set that to off or on but let IIS determine the password for anonymous login.

Remote Tech Support Software

Remote tech support software is one of the most useful tools for desktop and server technicians. It allows them to get to remote computer problems quickly through the Internet. With remote tech support software, a tech can solve problems remotely over the web. Those problems are not confined to desktop, PC, computer or server problems only. Once the tech has remote control access of the remote computer they can then login to networking equipment such as routers, firewalls and managed switches to make configuration changes, upload new software or firmware and just about anything else they need to do.

Multiple Calendars On BlackBerry Handhelds

2007-02-14T04:34:00.000-08:00

Blackberry handhelds at least the ones I've seen that operate with a Blackberry Enterprise server and run with on Java platform (4.x), do not and cannot display multiple user's calendars. I'm holding one of the blackberry handhelds in my hand right now that wasn't able to nor could it currently display any calendar but my own (there is a hack method from what BB support told me be it doesn't work 100% right, it is not smooth to update, and they do not support it).

It's a very useful feature to have on a PDA, the ability to view several different shared calendars. I've seen the setup at attorney's offices. The calendars are made up of not a persons own calendar but those of various court calendars. Since many attorneys, at least in my neck of the woods, don't present their cases in just one court or in one location, they often go to several different court houses. Having the calendar for each of the various court houses and having them update automatically through the wireless network ti the PDA, like Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, etc., let's them be more productive and efficient.

I've both seen and setup multiple calendars through the use of public folders on Exchange where each court is a folder of calendar type. One attorney's office had their lawyers on 5 separate calendars. The girls in the office could update their schedules and they would get them almost instantly. This was done with PDA' that had a windows operating system on them.

Another attorney office which I support wanted to do the same but they had already purchased Blackberry handhelds as their PDAs. Well, when asked to setup exchange in their office and a blackberry enterprise server with the goal of setting up multiple calendars, I found out that it can;t be done. So the bottom line is currently blackberry handhelds even with a blackberry enterprise server cannot display multiple calendars on the handhelds. It was stressed by blackberry support that this feature may be added in the future but as of right now, BB Enterprise server version 4.1, it can't be done.

Tags:
calendar,
blackberry,
pda,
exchange

Send As and Send on Behalf of Using Outlook and Exchange 2003

2007-02-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

Configure Exchange 2003 / 2000 to allow Send As User or Send on Behalf of
To give a user rights to Send As perform the following steps:

This is a common scenario. There's a manager or other employee like a top sales rep that needs to have others send email on their behalf or for them. Rather than having the person who is going to send the email go to their desktop and compose the email to send, they could send email for the other user right from their own desktop.
The surprise here is that although you may have configured full mailbox access in Exchange settings and the user can open the other users mailbox in Outlook on their desktop, the email sent still bounce back with the message stating the user is not allowed to send.That's because it there is another checkbox that needs to be checked to send for another user in the user security tab.

Open Active Directory Users. This doesn't have to be from your Exchange server
Enable viewing of Advanced Features in AD users and computers by licking View --> Advanced Features
Find the user that you would like to have other users have rights to allow someone to send email as them (boss / manager)

Double-click on the user name or id and select the Security Tab which is Typically top right box
Add user that needs to "Send As" and grant them "Send As" permission. Permission change can take up to 15 minutes to go into effect.

The user may now select "Sent From" in Outlook and the recipient will not be able to tell the email was not really sent on behalf of someone.

exchange-send-as-send-on-behalf

Remote Support

outlook send as,
send as,
outlook,
exchange

Generic Host Process for Win32 Services Error

2007-02-03T02:26:00.000-08:00

Generic Host Process for Win32 Services Error

So many XP systems have automatic updates enabled. So there are many users who have recently received the the Generic Host Process Error. If security update 873333 (MS05-012) was installed rither through automatic updates or through a manual system update, you may experience the message.

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. Please use the link to Microsoft's support site below to download the hotfix. There are several version of the dowload so be careful which one you choose.

KnowledgeBase Article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894391

Load balancing with Sonicwall TZ170

2007-01-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

I've worked with a bunch of different types of firewalls and routers and although Sonicwall is not one of my most favorite products for some applications it does do something right at a fairly reasonable cost. The load balance option on the TZ170 works pretty good and it's easy to configure.

The unit can be configured to load balance in active/active mode, active/passive and active/active (this is my favorite). In active active, you can set the amount of data that passes though each ISP connection using percentage based or even load based. So with these configuration options one can split off data by preference or by bandwidth availability for each connection.

Remote Support

Supporting tech-nol-o-gy. Yep, that's a computer alright. - Powered By Bloglines

2006-12-28T14:41:00.000-08:00

Supporting tech-nol-o-gy. Yep, that's a computer alright.

Nevermind about the fact that this bl0gger happens to have my name. Maybe I'll have to have a talk (email) with him/her about that. There could be only ONE!

There are some pretty interesting and cool p0sts on this bl0g. The guy actually posts about equipment that he comes accross while doing his tech support job. The computing equipment varies. Sometime is could be dekstops then servers or networking equipment like Adtran routers which he has a nice post on.

He even has some posts on software, registry hacks and even has some software reviews. I particularly liked the one that compares GFI Faxmaker with Captaris Rightfax. These two software packages are on opposite ends of the cost scale but also on the opposite end of features too.

How do you cost-effectively provide remote support?

2006-12-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

How do you cost-effectively provide remote support?

An example how free software can be used to create a remote support software program is described in this poston ittoolbox.com.
It's a nicely detailed description of how to use a free remote control tool to setup a remote support solution that could do the job for you.

Another email trojan sent as attachment.

2006-12-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

A new variation of an old theme, the trojan name has changed, the file attachment name has changed, but the delivery is the same old played out method of sending a virus or trojan, as an email attachment - how boring.

The people who create some of the viruses I think a very creative in getting there junk software out to the masses. As much as I don't like what they do and how they do it, in fact I consider it a form of torture for regular computer users, they are very good at it.

The newest version, really just another variation of the same old method of spreading their bad software, was today. A desktop user reported to me that they received an email that looked legitimate but because most of my users have been well trained to expect the unexpected when it comes to email scams, questioned the legitimacy of the email and notified me of it.

The subject contained the following:

Re: Mail server report

Which in appearance looks like most real messages sent from email servers. Very bland with no distinguishable characteristics to let the user know that it's really from their own server.

Then the body:

Our firewall determined the e-mails containing worm copies are being sent from your computer.

Nowadays it happens from many computers, because this is a new virus type (Network Worms).

Using the new bug in the Windows, these viruses infect the computer un-noticed. After the penetrating into the computer the virus harvests all the e-mail addresses and sends the copies of itself to these e-mail addresses

Please install updates for worm elimination and your computer restoring.

Best regards,
Customers support service

Attachment: Update-KB2703-x86

The attachment even looks like a Microsoft file name - similar but not real. To more experienced people most network administrators they would look at this and see that is was bogus as I did. But to an ordinary user or a less experienced admin, this attachment may very well be clicked on.

About the body, well if you heard enough language accents you would realize that this was written by someone with and accent. The most obvious clue that this isn't legitimate is that real updates don;t some through email and I don't know of anyone who would email another person a software update when they know they can be retrieved online very easily from Microsoft's update service.

It does look good though and even if many scanners would catch the virus as the file was unzipped and run, there are those that have outdated software and would get infected. Just as this email was sent from an infected computer. Then the chain continues on.

A simple rule is, don't open zip files from people you don't know...period. My users are aware of this that they don't open a thing and I have less trouble with outbreaks because of this basic training.

Remotely Support Desktops over the Internet

2006-10-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

I found a webiste that has a service that allowes you to take control of computer systems over the Internet to provide remote support to end-users. This is not a novell idea or a great discovery but the thing that makes this site and their service speacial is that they don't sneak in additional charges and dont have a complicated billing system for their remote support solution.

Remotely access and control an unlimited number of computers over the Internet using thier remote support software service with one rate. Also, unlike other services that may charge for minutes used or the number of desktops accessed, there's none of that.

Remote Support Software

Remotely connect to and control as may systems as you need to. You could even change the computer you providing remote support from. There's "license" attached to any particular system. Change as you need to. There are even other sites that sell a program that has you networks IP address "burned" into it.

Thier system is dynamic in that if your location that you provide remote support from changes, you just make a simple change in your user page to accomodate for. The software that downloads to the remote computer autmatically "knows" of the change and tries to connect for remote desktop support using the new configuration.

PC Remote Support Software

There a various vendors of pc remote support software that offer static solutions. Ther are even others that provide the tools to allow you to build your own remote control program. What these sites to is create an executable program for you that packs in an IP address that the remote control softwar that downloads to the remote computer uses to connec to. This works fine but what if you IP address changes or you need to provide PC remote support from a location other than the one that the program was created for - this is a problem. Remote PC support software should be as dynamic as the worl that's being supported. Desktops change all the time, networks change all the time. How can a support program not change too.

HP's support is ranked top ten in the world but ...

2006-09-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Evo Drivers Support

If the page above doesn't load for you it's sad. This is supposed to be a support page for an HP Evo desktop. Supposedly the loacation from which a dekstop owner could download drivers and other desktop updates. It's down. It's been down for several days. Support pages come up for other dekstops for for some reason , for days, no one can get updates for evo desktops or towers or any other version of the system.

I've alwys like hp's efforts for providing online desktop support for thier products. I think their one of the best. I think they ven won some award and were in the top ten in the world. But this is the bad side. If for days a desktop owner can't get to a part of their support site that's for thier desktop then what exectly was the award for? Is their a way to cast a vote? Thier should be because although this is not normal for HP it falls into a real bad catagory and in the neighborhood of some real crappy support provided by other vendors which they beat out in the competition that brough them into the yop ten. Boo!.

Supporting tech-nol-o-gy. Yep, that's a computer alright. - Powered By Bloglines

2006-08-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

Supporting tech-nol-o-gy. Yep, that's a computer alright. - Powered By Bloglines

This blog site I found is kind of interesting enough.

It has several good tips on performing some not so common task on desktops, servers and routers. The person who writes on this page definately is from the computer, network, and server support world. He performs a wide range of support tasks and not just narrowed to a spcific catagory of support. Some real experiences posted. It's not a bad b-loggin site. There are even a couple of decent tipes on eqipment he's used including a couple that kind of say avaoid if possible. He has even posted some good tip on or for online Remote support software for computer remote support. I'm going to be trying out the solution or service recommended by the author.

Citrix Secure Gateway: Can't connect using cable modem

2006-07-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

A customer who has two Citrix servers in a load balance configuration and for failover has a secure access gateway server as a web front end for remote off-site ICA sessions to the two Citrix servers and the published apps on them. A really mysterious problem developed. Those of you in the field know about these types of problems, they 're the type that just suddenly start happening with no known changes to any systems having been made - they just suddenly start happening. As we all know, something is usaully changed that triggers a problem and especially the "mystery" problems. If it isn't an outright failure of a system or a component of the systems, it's generaly a configuration of something along the path of server and client.

This one is of those types of problems and on Citrix things are often much more complicated that the standard client server applciations. All equipment both networking , PC and server, nothing is known to have been altered. The problem happens when anyone tries to connect to the secure gateway which is the web front end to the citrix server using an optimum online cable modem Internet access. They never get the login prompt (page). Other desktops connecting using other Internet access providers connect with out a problem. It's just optimum online connections that don't work. This was established by remotely accessing desktops on other networks that I have access to and trying to connect to the gateway and then trying to connect to the servers from other networks that were using other ISP services (Internet Service Provider). This is a strange problem that will take some digging and a while to cure.

Tomorrow I'm going to place a network sniffer to monitor and collect information to see what's sending out and in to the server. I'm pretty certain the client request reaches the servers since there's a redirect to an HTTPS page once a connection is made to the server using the normal HTTP. This signifies that the request from the browser (Microsoft IE 6.0) reaches the server which tries to redirect to the secure page. A call will be placed to optimum online as well but I'm sure that will lead to nowhere. They and other providers don't readily admit to anything being wrong and even getting to the level of support where someone would actually know if there was a problem takes great effort. This could easily be a routing problem and not one that's on the Internet but rather an internal problem.

Cheap Data Switches with Gigabit Ports.

2006-06-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

This is a nice network switch, model SRW2024, which I have had the opportunity to install at customer's offices. 24 switch ports and each can do 10/100/1000. Even if you don't have much need for GB networking to the desktop right now. Most all desktop being shipped now have Gb network cards installed in them. Every server I have seen has gigabit network cards as standard. Great bang for the price. Netgear makes some good switches too. I'll get a review in as soon as I can. I'm waiting to checkout some of their new gear.

These switches were added into a proposal to replace 2 48 port Cisco switches that cost over 10,000.00 dollars. These were way cheaper and can do VLANs.

More Features:

The switch brings gigabit ethernet speeds affordably to your network, addressing the needs of high bandwidth applications and those of power users
Increases internal network security; user control is secured via 802.1x port authentication and MAC address filtering
Enables the entire connected network to be optimized for networked applications, including voice, video and data storage
Provides intelligent traffic management with rate limiting, policing, shaping, and multicast support

Comes with WebView ready to use. It is a browser based configuration utility that makes it easer to deply and use some of the advanced features.

Review for Online Remote Support Software

Computer Remote Support Software

For computer remote control software for online desktop remote control and web based pc remote support, there are alternatives to the brand name products that give techs a tool and utility to for providing support to clients and end-users remotely.

Many remote support products require the tech to use the same computer to provide remote support from and if chanegd will require another purchase. Others require them to use the same network and if they need to change, charge them to change the network. A hostname can be used but then that leaves the tech vulnerable for another layer of the solution that could go give them a problem in the future.

Remote Support Software

2006-06-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Livemeeting is more than conferencing and collaboration software. Microsoft has released a new version of their online meeting software. What many people don't klnow, is that not only do you get a high quality, top-noch program for online conterences for product demonstations and demos but tech also get a tool for providing web based desktop and server support through the web.

Help desk remote support system that lets technicians, application support specialists, developers, engineers, etc., remote control for remote support any PC anywhere on the Internet or a local (LAN or private WAN) network anywhere within your organizations network infrustructure and even over virtual networks such as VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) or virtual computers (such as VMWare or VirtualPC). It works on-demand in only seconds for faster delivery of pc remote support software.

Allows you to quickly view the desktop (or desktops) of remote client computers and to provide them with fast, high quality support within a minimal amount of time. A remote technical support and training or software demonstration tool that raises the standard of standard support and assists greatly in reducign support costs.

Specializing in remote support software enabling online remote support, computer remote control software, remote assistance and online customer support. Provide online computer remote support to customers or employees. Web based desktop remote support to remote control and support PC desktop computers and server anywhere over the Internet.

Providing online pc remote control software for support call centers and helpdesk groups. Provide support to your employess, customers and/or clients using pc remote control - it's an effective and simple and effective support method for clients and users to have confidence and comfort with your remote support and technical knowledge (expertise).

Computer Remote Support Software

PC Remote Support

More PC Remote Support Detailed Product Information:

PC Remote Support

Remote desktop control and management through web based online remote pc control software for support and help desk professionals. Useful and simple remote desktop and support software that requries no activex add-on installations into the web browser (that are stopped by pop-up blockers and confuse average computer users). With remote access solutions for small and large tech support businesses, VARs, systems integrators, information technology consultants, etc., and providing full featured software for remote desktop support.

A Summary of the Microsoft Provided Tools Used for the Management of Active Directory.

2006-06-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

This is a summary of the Microsoft provided technologies / tools used for the management of Active Directory.

Backup utility
Performs backup and restore operations. It is automatically installed with Windows Server 2003. In Windows Server 2003, the backup utility is Backup.exe. The wizard, or basic mode, is called Backup or Restore Wizard; and in advanced mode, it is called Backup Utility.

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup

Or to open the Backup tool using the command line:
Start > Run. In the Open box, type ntbackup and then click OK.

DNS Manager
Used for modifying DNS parameters. These centralized management and monitoring tools can be found either in Administrative Tools after initial installation of the DNS service, or through Adminpak.msi.

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools

Or to open DNS Manager using the command line, type:
%systemroot%\System32\ dnsmgmt.msc

Active Directory Domains and Trusts Microsoft Management Console snap-in
Used for modifying Active Directory domains and trusts. These centralized management and monitoring tools can be found either in Administrative Tools after initial installation of the Active Directory, or through Adminpak.msi.

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools

Or to open the MMC snap-in using the command line, type:
%systemroot%\System32\ domain.msc

Active Directory Installation Wizard
Used to promote or demote a domain controller.

Start > Run > dcpromo

Active Directory Schema snap-in
Used for modifying Active Directory schema. This tool does not appear by default in Administrative Tools.

Open the MMC snap-in using the command line, type:
%systemroot%\System32\ schmmgmt.msc

Active Directory Sites and Services MMC snap-in
Used for modifying Active Directory sites and services. This centralized management and monitoring tool can be found either in Administrative Tools after initial installation of the Active Directory, or through Adminpak.msi.

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools

Or to open the MMC snap-in using the command line, type:
%systemroot%\System32\ dssit.msc

Active Directory Users and Computers MMC snap-in
Used for modifying Active Directory users and computers. These centralized management and monitoring tools can be found either in Administrative Tools after initial installation of the Active Directory, or through Adminpak.msi.

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools

Or to open the MMC snap-in using the command line, type:
%systemroot%\System32\ dsa.msc

Adsi edit MMC snap-in
Used for editing Active Directory to add, delete, or move objects within the directory. This centralized management and monitoring tool can be found either in Administrative Tools after initial installation of the Active Directory, or through Adminpak.msi.

Open the MMC snap-in using the command line, type:
%systemroot%\System32\ adsiedit.msc

Dcdiag.exe
This command line tool analyzes the state of domain controllers in the forest or enterprise and reports any problems to assist in troubleshooting.

Start > Run > dcdiag.exe

Event Viewer
Provides logs for transactional reactive reviews of system and service events. It is automatically installed with Windows Server 2003.

Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer

Or to open Event Viewer using the command line:
Start >Run. In the Open box, type eventvwr.msc and then click OK.

Ldp.exe
Used to connect, bind, search, modify, add, and delete against any LDAP-compatible directory such as Active Directory. Used to view objects stored in Active Directory along with their metadata.

Start >Run. In the Open box, type ldp.exe and then click OK.

Net.exe
A set of commands for a variety of tasks, such as managing user accounts and computer accounts, sending messages, and managing shared resources.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type net to see options

Netdiag.exe
Helps isolate networking and connectivity problems by performing a series of tests to determine the state of the network client.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type netdiag /? to see options

Netdom.exe
Enables administrators to manage Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 domains and trust relationships from the command line.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type netdom /? to see options

Nltest.exe
Helps you get a list of domain controllers, force a remote shutdown, and query the status of trust relationships.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type nltest /? to see options

Ntdsutil.exe
Used to perform database maintenance of Active Directory, manage and control single master operations, and remove metadata left behind by domain controllers that were removed from the network without being properly uninstalled.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type ntdsutil /? to see options

Registry Editor
Enables you to view and change settings within the registry.

Start > Run > regedit

Repadmin.exe
Command line tool that helps administrators diagnose replication problems between domain controllers.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type repadmin /? to see options

Secedit.exe
Configures and analyzes system security by comparing current configuration with at least one security template.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type secedit /? to see options

Services snap-in
MMC snap-in that allows you to start, stop, or restart Windows services.

Start > Run > MMC > Services.msc

Ultrasound
A tool that allows administrators to monitor the health of the file replication service (FRS).
See www.microsoft.com/homepage/ms.htm for more information on the Ultrasound utility.

W32tm.exe
A tool used to diagnose problems having to do with Windows time.

Start > Run > cmd at the command prompt, type w32tm /? to see options

Referenced from: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/cits/mo/winsrvmg/adpog/adpog2.mspx

Wall jack for network not working

2006-06-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

Sad but true. What seems to some of us, who are of the tech support persuasion, to be the simplest of problems people are willing to pay for. I had a customer today that originally called because of a wireless problem (I'll get to that later) but while I was there they mentioned another problem. There were two wall jacks that they claimed weren't working. They in fact weren't. I checked them both with my laptop and my own patch cord - neither connected. Not even a link light on my network adapter. I toned out the line to see what port they were terminated on in their data room. Well, well, well... there was no patch cord connecting neither port on the patch panel to any data switch. I popped one on and viola I connected. I toned the second line out and it was the same problem - no network cord connecting the patch panel termination of the data run to the network switch. They paid for this. Just by applying some simple troubleshooting and basic knowledge would have resolved that network problem in-house.

It was an easy day so far - except I was in the city in the afternoon which meant a 2 hour ride home. I took on the wireless problem - this get a little more mysterious.

Reliable Technical Support

2006-06-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

I came across this site and started quickly reading/scanning the pages contained within and saw there were a number of links, good articles, and useful information. I noticed that one of the items listed was a online remote support software solution that I have signed up for. So I figured why not throw in a post.

The software for remote support is pretty good as an online solution for remotely supporting computers through the web and as an alternative to the more pricey brand names of remote support. The service is reliable for remote controlling computers over the web for support. Yes, it's an affordable remote support solution. Solutions for remote desktop support consist of products and online services that range from a little application to full blown, require dedicated server type solution that's costs thousands upon thousands of dollars per user or seat. This solution for remote online remote support is pretty inexpensive. One of the newly added features consists of allowing their users to send a remote support email link right from their site - while your logged in of course.

The feature list isn't tremendous compared to the more pricey well known solution but if it's remote control over the web you need, that's what you get.

Remote Desktop Support Software

Too many packages and solutions for remote control support that are available offer their service or product with maintenance fees and hidden charges. At one time I even remember seeing a site that charged per usage and another that charged by the minute. That's easy grey area for contention as there are ways that the information provided could be misleading or incorrect.

PC Remote Support

This site has a single flat rate and no charges for changing support computers or networks. The appliance based remote support solutions are nice too as they offer the fact that you own your solution for supporting computers. This is nice but you will pay forever the maintenance fees for the appliance and if you don't, you get no updates or support if there's a problem - you may own it but you'll never stop paying for it.

More...

Web based PC Remote Support

InformationWeek | News | Ballmier: 'A Lot Of Work To Do' On Vista | June 2, 2006

2006-06-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

InformationWeek News balmier: 'A Lot Of Work To Do' On Vista June 2, 2006

Just as with the release of XP. There were some negative reviews but the final product differed from the beta version and a service pack or two later, it differed even more by having features that critics were claiming were missing.

Sponsored Link:

Remote Support Software

InformationWeek | Microsoft Windows, CRN Test Center | Windows Vista Beta 2: An Improvement? | May 23, 2006

2006-06-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

InformationWeek Microsoft Windows, CRN Test Center Windows Vista Beta 2: An Improvement? May 23, 2006

CRN test center reviews beta 2 release of Windows Vista. I have not tried the OS yet but I'm looking closly at what the reviews are reporting. Support for hardware and drivers is an issue again just like when XP was being readied for release.

After all the warnings about using Kentrox Q-Series

2006-05-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

I have to take some of the negativity back regarding the kentrox q series router. After all the warnings about getting these units for VoIP, it turns out my company purchased several more for a customer who has two NEC Aspire phone systems, one each located in their offices in Washington and the other in Texas. The telephony systems ahve VoIP capabilities and the two systems will be networked for extension transferres and centralized voice mail. I had to get them up and running behind XO's IADs that they installed on the customer premises. I setup remote access to both units in case I had to access them over the web - and I did.

They've improved the graphs a great deal and the speed the graphs are produced. The scale for bandwidth usage is changeable for their x and y axis and the bandwidth graphs if clicked can be opened their own window. They actually seem faster when updating pages or moving from one screen to another.

Although I didn't check their site to see if they have change the cpu or supporting chips they definitely seemed quicker. I don't know how they will work for VoIP since in this case we are connecting the two offices through a VPN and QoS is out the window. The desktop connected to each of the networks just fine though and quite speedily. The IT guy at the office used remote desktop to connect in to the Florida office and said that the connection seemed quicker. Maybe Kentrox has been getting feedback about some of the inadequacies of the previous generation of units and has made some nice improvements.

Graphical QoS reports show application performance and traffic trends at a glance.

Learn more about the Kentrox Q-Series Router

Blog Home - http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/

Dell to add 1,000 jobs at Ottawa customer service, technical support site

2006-05-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Source: 680News
May 5, 2006

Dell Inc. is adding 1,000 jobs at its newly opened customer and technical support office in Ottawa, tripling the projected workforce to 1,500, the computer giant's Canadian subsidiary said Friday.
The Ottawa site, operational since February, is one of several customer contact centers that the Texas-based company has opened around the world, including in the United States, Philippines and India.

Software for Remote Support - Blog

2006-04-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

The entry in this blog describes an online remote support software solutions. http://spaces.msn.com/remotesupport/blog

This next blog is similar to this one in that it has entries from a tech support person invloved in day to day activities while problem solving pc and network issues. This guy has it toough or great depending on how one looks at it. He is all over the place. He not only does computer desktop support, but also does networking design and troubleshooting plus VoIP (voice over IP). That is a lot of technology to be involved in at once but like I said it depends on how it is looked at. The one thing that I do have a problem with is that he has my posting name and I can't do anything about it. http://bloglines.com/blog/Puppet

Kentrox Q2200 & Q2300 - Remote Desktop Access

2006-04-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

This notification email is intended to inform everyone in our company involved in the selection or ordering of networking gear for VoIP solutions.

As we know, our company has deployed many VoIP solutions. As time and the number of deployments has increased, our internal VoIP knowledgebase has incremented accordingly. Although the phone system brand per deployment may differ, the underlying networking equipment is often from the same manufacturer and in many cases, the same manufacturer model. Although in some respects debatable, several of the most problematic VoIP deployments include Kentrox networking equipment installed as part of the solution.
A common denominator in both point-to-point and VPN flavored VoIP installs that have been the most troublesome are Kentrox models Q2300 and Q2200. Although both units price very competitively, the gains achieved with the low upfront cost have been negated due to technical overhead applied in efforts solve poor voice-over-ip quality issues. More intangible but not to be ignored, is the cost to the company's reputation of delivering solid VoIP solutions. Although it's not a guaranty that another vendors equipment would have not resulted in similar issues, the uncertainty and doubt in future VoIP deployments arising from the Kentrox units having been involved in past problem deployments is certain.
It's recommended that Kentrox models Q2200 and Q2300 are no longer included in proposals for neither point-to-point or VPN VoIP solutions. They can still play a role as an inexpensive T1 CSU/DSU router/firewall for single ISP internet access but even for those solutions another vendors equipment, such as product offerings from Adtran or Cisco, may price equally as well and should be considered.

VoIP Quality :: Network Connection & Access

2006-04-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

So far:

Wednesday April 19th - 4:00pm to 5:15pm

The image above shows numerous CRC and frame errors as reported by the Adtran units that connect the point-to-point T1. The count is higher on the Bronx side (right side of the image). I cleared all of these stats when I was last logged on a week and half to two weeks ago so I am sure they have all occurred since then. I cleared them again yesterday. After clearing the statistics, I started a file download from a desktop in the Bronx the to a desktop I was logged into in Manhattan and while the download was taking place, asked ESS to place a call to the Bronx. Unfortunatly, the counters did not increment as quickly as I expected. There was only one CRC and one Frame error on the Bronx side. However, this is still an indication that there are line problems.

I checked the configurations on the NEC systems and the Adtran units and they are as I left them. I can only verify configurations for the aforementioned equipment since I viewed for accuracy or adjusted the configurations to provide acceptable voice quality the last time this issue was addressed. I cannot say other devices or new devices on ESS's network are not causing a problem. ESS did inform me that Verizon was in thier phone room for two days though it was not disclosed to me what work they were performing. Charles was also at ESS just recently but was there for training and not modifying the configurations of the NEC phone systems.

Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 6:31 PM
Subject: S-ESS

Please be sure to inquire of the hrs spent today on the ESS problem . I want you to track and bill the customer for this IT time.
Also the client s/b made aware that if we work on this tomorrow or the next that the time is and will be billable.

Please acknowledge.

Thank you.

Netvanta Desktop or Rack Mount Chassis Router

2006-04-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Netvanta Desktop or rack mount chassis Router

Netvanta 3200 Series router is a very versatile and feature rich device for networking both poin-to-point type connections between offices and for internet gateways. The model comes in both desktop and rackmount flavors. The current release of their software is 12.x. Almost all common or general configuring can be done from the GUI which is browser based. With version 12 QoS could be configured using a wizard. If you prefer command line their OS is ver similar to Cisco's IOS. That feature was an intelligent design for ADTRAN to commit to as the learning curve to maneuver around on the unit if the GUI is inaccesable is very small. The unit can be accessed remotely for remote configuration through telnet or a browser.
Compare the Netvanta 3200 to Cisco 1700

Benefits of Online Remote Access PC Support.

2006-04-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Quote from http://spaces.msn.com/4remotesupport/

Online PC Remote Support Software

The cost saving benifits of remote control software are easily calculated. Anyone can derive from the use of remote support software the numerous advantages from just the description of such software. Online pc remote support software permits the remote control of computers on the internet. By gaining access and control of a remote computer for support, countless tech support functions can be permormed so much quicker than by having to visit the site or office or attempt to diagnose and solve problems over the phone. As is the case often, the tech may know what the problem is but guiding an inexperienced computer user or wvwn worse an unwilling participant to click on different windows and menus and then communicate information back to the tech support person on the phone often makes what could be 10 support session turn into 5 times that amount of time.
Remote control desktops over the web through the internet can save precious time and from a business aspect that means dollars. Effeciency of support staff increases many fold and remote control software or on-demand remote desktop support solutions cost much less than adding salaries.

Remote Support Software

Many of the major hardware and software vendors are using on-demand remote support software to increase their profit margins and stay competiative within their market segment. Vendors such as dell, cisco, hp, and others are commiting large amounts of money into online remote support solutions but in the end, save many times what they spend (almost forgot to mention microsoft - rdp?). RDP for remote control is also one of my favorite solutions for pc remote control over the web. The problem I have with it at times is the need to have access and control of the networking equipment at the remote side to make the chnages needed to allow the applications communication through to the inside network. Although, I must add that dell dropped it's remote support solution after having some great complications with it. They may have been too early to adapt such a strategy and the pc os platform was switching from me to 2000.

Remote Support Software

2006-04-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

Cost is also not an issue compared to huge businesses. However, since they cannot allocate the required budgetary funds to initiate a huge marketing campaign for their remote support software solution and computer services, it is hard to find one.

Computer remote control on the web

The new and rapidly growing trend in computer support and consulting seems to be that of remote support. In particular, the ability to provide quick remote desktop support through computer remote control on the web. Although computer remote control on the web for online remote support is not a new concept in theory or practice, the number of support proffessionals looking to provide their own without the extra effort that was once involved to gain remote access to a system over the web has grown tremendously. This is not a short term fad, this is a business tool for the support industry. The number of services and packaged support products available on the market today to choose from is tremendous. IT support companies have come to realize and recognize that to be competative in business, they need visibility and be seen nationwide and even world wide. They should offer affordable services without sacrificing quality. http://spaces.msn.com/4remotesupport/ Through the use of remote support software, companies have become successful connecting to their clients without the need of travel. This setup is both beneficial to the company and the consultants. 4RemoteSupport is one of the companies pursuing this business model. Need more information. Obtaining remote support tools to remote control computers on the web is not just soght out for companies that provide support to their customers, this too lor service is seeing tremendous growth with IT departments or orgainization that support only their own employees and staff.

Cisco 2811XM Installed fine

2006-04-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

A local bank has asked my company to swap out some aging routers for new Cisco 2811XM series routers for the branches and a couple of 3825 series for the core. the first of the branch routers went in today with out a hich. I prepped the router i nthe office; updates the IOS and setup the config to match the old. The difference being this unit had different port enumerations. I did call in for some tech support on a DR site branch. I must say Cisco's TAC is not as good as it used to be. below is an image of the 2811XM router. They are bit larger that the 2600 series.

Tech support software to allow remote computer control through the web:

Software for PC Remote Support

The application allows for access to remote computer users computers through the web for support. Once connected, the technician can work on desktop applciations, operating system problems, misconfigurations, or network router (internet routers too). More Info:

Software for PC Remote Support

Previous post entries with similar topic:

http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/2006/10/remotely-support-desktops-over.html

http://remotesupportpc.blogspot.com/2006/06/remote-support-software.html

Blog:

Evolution of Technology and Support - Desktop Tech Support

remote support

2006-04-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, the lingo could definately be confusing.

I want to be sure the service would be a fit for what you are trying
to do.
What the system provides is a mechanism or a way to get control of a
remote computer over the internet. The remote computer's user logs
into the site using your email address. Once logged in, they are
presented with a connect button and a download program link. These
both do the same thing but go about it differently. They click on the
connect button and remote control software downloads to their computer
and with pre-configured information, that's the information you enter
on your profile page, and automatically connects to your computer
running the viewer. Your viewer pops open on your computer and you
see and can control thier computer. If the automatic download fails,
this will happen if they do not have Java installed, they can run the
executable program wich will also connect automatically to your viewer
with pre-configured information.

Now, the port forwarding is the part that does confuse some people. I
have to add at this point that we are working on a major update to
remove this requirement, I have no release date however. On your
router, in your case a netgear, a port forward or virtual server is
setup. What this does is it allows the remote computer's software
that's downloaded to get through to your computer from the internet
side of the router to your computer on the LAN.

Every progrma that communicates on a network uses and IP address and a
port. It's not a real port it's a software port. This is how the
computer knows what software is talking to or listening to the
network.

So on the netgear, the only requirement is that software communicating
on port 5500 (the default) from the internet is forwarded to the
computer on the LAN that has the viewer listening for it. The port
is forwarded to the IP address of the computer on the LAN. Usually
addressed with the last number changing like you described - .1, .2,
.3. . A complete address as an example will look like 192.168.1.1,
192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3, etc..

So a cumputer on your local LAN will have the viewer running on it and
listening on port 5500 for connections from computers that "want" to
remote controlled. The netgear will have the port forward configured
to point 5500 to the IP address of the computer with the viewer on
your LAN. When a remote user logs in with your email address and
clicks connect, software downloads to their system and connects to
yours and you control thier computer.

The security is such that if anyone connects to you, your viewer, you
have control of them and not the other way around. You could always
exit the viewer once a session is complete to feel more secure. Once
a session is active, no one can steal the session or redirect it.
Although the remote control software we use has the capability of
encryption we don't apply it although we may add a checkbox on the
profile page to permit our customers to turn it on or off as they
require. The encryption makes the software run much slower. This is
not just our system, it's everyones even the very expensive flavors.
Our sessions are quick. You could pay 1,000.00 plus more for another
service that is doing encryption right now but it won't be faster I
have to caveate the last comment with the fact that network
conditions make a difference too. The encryption really has not
worried our current base since they know that encrypting a stream
that is just them remote controlling a computer to fix a printer
setup or the end-users email program or any other common support
issue isn't a security breach. The end user is already logged in
since they have to be to initiate the download so there's no
passwords being entered to steal - which is unlikely anyone could do
so anyway.

I hope this helped. If you have more questions please ask them, I will
be very happy to answer them for you.

If you need assistance configuring the netgear, please send me the
model number since the configuration screens differ on different
models. The model number is usually displayed somewhere on the unit.

Thank you,

Customer Support Group

> very interested in your product, how secure is it in protecting information
> while communicating with the remote desktop.
> Also I am running off a router, where do I find a "Viewer Port Number"?
> could that be the .2, .3, or .1 (depending on computer) on the net gear ip
> address?
> I know you say it is simple to set up but when you don't really know the
> lingo you get confused.
> also am I understanding that I just need to install this on the computer I
> want people to have access to?
> Thanks for your help

BGP on 3825 Routers.

2006-03-31T09:48:00.000-08:00

I just encountered an opportunity to configure BGP on a couple of Cisco 3825 routers for a potential customer. They are getting two routers and two service providers and just inquired if we do that sort of work. We/I have not but would really like to do it. Our reply was just that. Text book and lab experience but we are very willing to do it for them and we'll discount the labot cost. I have already voluteered for this job and hope to get it. On-demand Remote desktop control over the web for remote tech support .

MyTechSupport.ca - Your Computer Technical Support & Resource Headquarters!

Cisco 2811 Branch Router Install - Remote & On-site Support

2006-03-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

This project for the bank is a small piece of a larger project and its scope is straight forward and fairly simple. The bank is a very good long-standing customer and has confidence in our company as I have installed other Cisco gear for them flawlessly. The next attempt at installing this new equipment must be successful to sustain their level of confidence in us. The problem we've encountered with installing this particular branch router seems to be an unusual one as TAC is also, at this point, stumped for a solution.

On-demand PC Remote Control

An aging 2600 series branch router is to be replaced by a more robust and sophisticated multiservice 2811XM router. This branch, as all others, has frame-relay as it's method for wide area connectivity back to the bank's core data center. The branch differs from the others in a single important regard. The difference is that not only does it perform normal banking transactions but it also has an the added role of being a DR site for the meshed frame network. It therefore has additional frame-relay configuration parameters that are not found on the bank's "regular" branch routers. The configuration of the router is a copy of the current 2600. Except for interface enumeration, i.e. Serial 0 on the old compared with Serial 0/0/0 on the new, they are configured near exactly the same. The duplicity of the configuration can especially be seen, and has been re-examined numerous times even by TAC for accuracy and completeness, in the frame-relay and routing protocol sections of the configuration.

PC Remote Control On the Web

The first attempt at installing the router was on the March 15th. With router preparation having been completed at our company's pre-installation staging and lab area prior to the 15th, the next step was to go on-site as scheduled. Accompanied by a senior member of the bank's IT staff, the new branch router was promptly cut-over at 5:00PM. After the router booted and communication test to the core and other branches were performed it was discovered that the router, although functioning with respect to communicating with the other sites, was doing so through the wrong frame-relay path. The slower backup frame-network on the second sub-interface was being used instead of the intended primary interface.

It was determined that the wrong path was in use using basic tools, like trace route, ping and some router commands. Attempts to remedy were unsuccessful and included: re-loading, power cycles, shutting the second sub-interface to force the data path to the primary PVC, re-comparing the configurations removing and re-adding security related entries in the configuration. To be certain that I had not discovered a pre-existing problem with frame network, the old 2600 router was put temporarily back in again to see if it too would only use the back-up PVC. It did not - it used the primary PVC as expected. The 2600 series was removed again and the 2811 was re-connected but without success as all efforts did not return the desired results. TAC was not involved at this point and not until the next day were they contacted. The time window in which to get the new router installed was only an hour. With time having expired the original 2600 was put back into service. The 2811 was removed and returned back to our company's lab and staging area.

Computer Remote Control on the Web

A case was opened with TAC and I described accurately the situation and provided them with information as they requested and included IOS version numbers, results of IOS commands, etc.. The only thing I could not provide was active frame-relay statistics because the router was not connected to the bank's network. TAC could not find anything wrong with the configuration. Between communications with TAC, I connected the router with another 3825 in a standard frame-relay LAB configuration. The 3825 was configured as the frame-relay switch and DCE. After completing that configuration, the primary PVC came right up on the 2811 and I was able to ping across the simulated frame-relay network to the 3825. NO CHANGES were done on the 2811. TAC said to call the carrier to verify the frame-relay switch type and they could not help any further unless I was on-site and connected to the bank's network. They only offered at this pint as a solution to change the LMI type and the encapsulation type. The next install day was scheduled for March 30th.
Online Remote Desktop Support Software
Accompanied again by a member of the bank's IT staff, the router was cut-over after 5:00PM on the 30th. It loaded and operated the same as the week before by using the backup frame-relay and not the primary. I tried the few recommended TAC solutions but they did not yield the desired effect. I added a little attempt of my own by removing the modules that were not yet needed by the bank such as the BRI and the 4 port FXS and restarting (a hale Mary pass?...perhaps). While in transit to the location of the branch, I contacted TAC to have them on the line while on site. They asked for some status data which I sent. The time window for installation was again a small one so the 2600 was put back into service. I still have that case open with TAC and continued working with them today. There is no resolution as of yet. Othe post of Cisco networking gear could be found at Computer Networking News & Reviews and at this location, Evolution of Technology & Support.

Remote Desktop Control on the Web
So at this point I'm going to attemopt to escalate the problem higher in the TAC food chain. This in hopes of getting some people involved that could really address this problem properly as it's cause is not easily explainable and out of the range first level support personel.

I'll post more when it happens.

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG)

2006-03-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

Current project is a little different from the last large one I had the consisted mostly of desktop rollout. This one involves cisco gear and is more interesting but also more chellenging.

RE: 603175435 2811 / FXS, Not seeing ports, need to make sure that IOS and Config is correct

2006-03-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

I'm choosing this image.

c2800nm-advipservicesk9-mz.123-14.T6.bin

I have a ISDN Bri module in the router too. Is this IOS ok?

I remember in the past the IOS was selected by cisco. I don't want to choose another IOS just to have to upgrade again later. Let me know if the one I have selected is ok or pick one for me please. Alot of time is being wasted here. If the right IOS was chosen the first time there wouldn't be this problem right now.

As I told you in my previous mail , as you are not able to see the WIC-1DSU-T1-V2 card with the new IOS image (Feature set: IP VOICE) try downloading the IOS image having feature set advanced IP services.This feature set is the combination of advsecurity and ipvoice.

The link to download the IOS image is given below:

http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac49/about_cisco_corporate_information_home.html
?get_crypto=&data_from=&hardware_name=2811&software_name=ADVANCED%20IP%20SERVICES&rele
ase_name=&majorRel=12.3&state=:HW:SW&type=Early%20Deployment

Hope this helps you in resolving the issue:

Thanks for all your time and patience, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,
.............................
Cisco Systems, Inc.

3 new dell systems to go.

2006-03-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

There are three new systems still in boxes left to be rolled out. The hold up? Other network and computer support requests happening whenever I'm on site. It seems all the "little" problems get piled up and they await my return to solve them all. The result, I don't work on the project.
Even wehn I'm not on site I get calls. They are in need it seems of an hired IT person to handle their computer problems.

Remote Support Software

2006-03-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Remote Support Software

Computer remote control over the internet. Access desktops anywhere on the web to provide online remote control support. PC anywhere is one of the best and well know remote control software packages. it's been around for so many years. I and all other people that I know in the computer support industry have used version sicne it's inception during hte dos era. With carbon copy as it symantec's prime competetor back then it was some battle for control of pc remote control (no pun intended).

5 Desktop Systems Still in Boxes to Deploy

2006-03-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

I have 5 dell systems in boxes still left to be setup and deployed. Of the 32 original, these are going to be the worst since the desktops they are replacing each had some special software on them.

I have a mcafee problem to resolve. The mcafee epo agent comes up with some error and doesn't install on the new system. It might have something to do with the new systems having been shipped with a macafee security package pre-installed. I unistalled the other version before installing the corporate version but there is still a problem. I also found out the server side isn't running. either. This will be an all day project to fix both of these problems. I may be able to resolve the problem remotely on the web using some on-demand remote support software. For this office, remote support is always a first option to try and resolve computer issues. Since they are located in the city it's a long haul just to get there.

Computer Desktop USB cd-rom read write and DVD external drive

2006-03-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Mary,

This is a link to an external USB CD-ROM Read/write DVD combo drive for the desktop computers to use if required.

http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=4837123

Computer Desktop Monitor

2006-03-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

Mary, this is link to a computer monitor. This is a 15" computer screen.

http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=5751655

RE: MS Access Software for exam room computers

2006-03-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Olga,

I got to the doctors computer and looked at the program and it's shortcut.

It's PVM.

It's just a shortcut to an access database on a server. It was no problem - I put the shortcut on the desktops of the computers that needed the access to it.

Subject: Re: MS Access Software for exam rooms

I've read your email finally. The explanation of the program you gave confused me a little bit. There are few possible things Dr. Yaffe might mention to you, but not the program you described. This one is on the server, it is scheduled to run automatically every 5 min or 40 min (different programs), and there is no shortcut or something else on his comp for such applications. I have an idea what he may want to have on other comps, but I would like to speak to you directly. Can I call you Monday afternoon?

Olga.

Hi Olga,

There's some software, an ms access database with ms access front end, that Dr. Yaffe has on one of his computers and would like to have it on other systems.
He says you put it together and since you've done a bunch of custom type apps here I'll try to descibe it so you know which on it is. This app permits the Dr to see/get information from the patients from a form on the web server. They enter a description of their problem before coming in for a scheduled visit. These notes are then used by the doctor in the office when the patient comes in. Then he does something to trigger the information the patient entered plus information he enters during the visit into Logician.

I need listed what needs to be done to make this work on another system. I'd prefer to have the information come directly from you. I will be somewhat disecting the application to see how it starts, runs, and communicates. This method will take longer but I think it's do-able.

A may be a matter of just creating a shortcut to an remote access database located on a server share somewhere. If this is the case let me know so could same time setting it up on other stations.

Frontpage wasn't installed on your new computer because the installation software wasn't found anywhere. The MS version that's on the server does not include FrontPage. pc remote control for support on the web

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MS Access Software for exam rooms

2006-02-28T11:52:00.000-08:00

There's some software, an ms access database with ms access front end, that the Dr. has on one of his computers and would like to have it on other systems.
He says you put it together and since you've done a bunch of custom type apps here I'll try to descibe it so you know which on it is. This app permits the Dr to see/get information from the patients from a form on the web server. They enter a description of their problem before coming in for a scheduled visit. These notes are then used by the doctor in the office when the patient comes it. Then he does something to trigger the information the patient entered plus information he enters during the visit into Logician.

I need listed what needs to be done to make this work on another system. I'd prefer to have the information come directly from you. I will be somewhat disecting the application to see how it starts, runs, and communicates. This method will take longer but I think it's do-able.

A may be a matter of just creating a shortcut to an access database located on a server share somewhere. If this is the case let me know so could same time setting it up on other stations.

Frontpage wasn't installed on your new computer because the installation software wasn't found anywhere. The MS version that's on the server does not include FrontPage software. Computer remote control for remote support on the web.

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Remote Computer Support

2006-02-26T10:11:00.000-08:00

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Remote Computer Support

I have 11 more new Dell systems to deploy at a medical practice in the city (NYC). The Dell computer systems they bought, although not high-end, are really quick. The customer did the right thing by selecting computers with hyperthreading P4 cpu systems with the hyperthreading technology already enabled. They also got 1 gig of memory in each computer. For online, On-demand PC remote support software they use Dameware Remote Control.

It provides on demand remote computer control for on demand remote desktop support from almost anywhere. I need to use this software a lot and so does the support company that supports their medical software. We are both located miles away and it just makes it easier to help them by using online remote PC control for remote pc support on-demand software instead of driving out their or taking the train in for every problem they are experiencing on the desktop systems. i also use Microsoft product on-demand remote desktop support remote control software since it's already available on most servers. Online PC remote support software can provide that extra help to get more things done and complete for a computer tech support department or support company. one of the key features and benefits of remote control and remote support software is that the time saving effects of the applications are felt and seen right away.

Setting up 32 new systems at busy medical practice.

2006-02-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

OK. Some updates of what's been going on.

I'll start with my long project - adventure is more like it. I'v been rolling out new computers for a customer in Manhattan. They bought 32 new Dell systems that all needed to be setup on the domain and have the office software configured. Doesn't sound bad right? Well, it's a very busy medical practice and the computers are in all areas of the office includeing chek-in check-out, the exam rooms the doctors' desktop PC systems. At the same time I'm handling their day-to-day troubles. Which include the. I can't log in whines, and MS Exchange issues, slowness issues on some of the desktops, integrating medical equipment like EKG tester thingies. They have a company that supports their medical software but I've been their so much I'v been taking care of the problems for them. They have dameware installed on most systems for on-demand pc remote control and are able to push it out to the new systems.

Remote PC Control

The remote pc control software they use came in handy already since I needed their assistance to get the first exam room's software working properly. It was the first time I had to setup the software from scratch. I tried working with the config from the old computer and did great but the thing I didn't know was I had to have another peice of medical software running, Logician by GE (general Electric), on first use for it to complete the config.

Remote desktop control

I was so close but I'm glad I called and saved time. The remote support tech, Tony, just remoted in to one of the servers. He was using some other online on demand computer remote control software to access the server over the Internet then dameware for remote desktop control of the workstation.

Remote Computer Control

I like the software they use for computer remote control but I'm kind of favoring using PC Anywhere on all the desktops for my on demand pc remote support software of choice on the computers in the office. I could connect over the Internet using Microsoft Terminal Server then remotely access the computer systems on the LAN.

Online PC Remote Support Software

2006-02-20T19:33:00.000-08:00

It's cheap and affordable on-demand computer remote control over the Internet. One account permits unlimted on-demand remote computer access and connections. You get a profile page of your own that's automatically generated from which you could adjust your configuration as needed. I may be trying it out soon since the evaluation is fee and I don't even need to take the credit card out.

Packetshaper reports

2006-02-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

Reviewed the packshaper reports I created with the customer. They couldn't believe the amount of peeks they had for inbound traffic. I have to say that they were practically flatlined. They asked for an hourly report to see what a day looks like rather than a condenced report that spans over two weeks. That was no problem to generate since I already have it in Microsoft Excel format. They also asked for reports from their internet provider. We have those too. Another meeting is set for the first week of March. my company is trying to sell them MPLS for their inter-office networking and VoIP. Along iwth the MPLS servioce were trying to sell them the routers for the new service and provide monitoring. We already have a contract for onsite and remote support for their telephony system. Were able to make configuration changes to their phone system configuration by using PC Anywhere as the remote pc control software I installed on one of their systems. We connect to the remote computer which has the phone system software running on it and make our changes.

RDP Terminal Server License

2006-02-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

Terminal Server License Expiring
Ever come across a Microsoft terminal server license for a desktop expiring for a desktop? Ah yes, the infamous "your terminal server license will expire" message with the days counting down. There's a simple reg hack to have the desktop get a new temporary license. I've done this a hundred times. I realy like what Microsoft has done with the remote desktop protocol and terminal server licensing in windows 2003 Server. It's great for server remote support. Although it wasn't intended to be computer remote support software, it really help supporting servers for remote computer support.

Delete the registry keys in HKLM software> microsoft > MSLicensing
there will be two of them in there:

Hardware and Store

Just right click and delete them both. Try connecting to your terminal server again and see them come back but this time without the count down message. This is great if you can't get additional licenses right away or for some other reason you just need to get a desktop working right away.

You could do this as a temporary fix many times but it's best to get real licenses from Microsoft. There not that expensive either.

P2P without pop-ups

2006-02-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

StreamCast Networks

StreamCast Networks

The new Morpheus with BitTorrent support takes the most powerful file-sharing technology available today and adds great features including quick and easy audio and video exporting to iPods through iTunes, one-click CD burning and firewall-to-firewall transfers that increases the number of available files. The smart user interface makes it fun to search, discover, download and play all types of media files including MP3 audio, music, movies, videos, games, photos and documents.

Search multiple P2P networks including the Neo Network, Gnutella and others to download more of what you find including rare and unique content you can't find anywhere else. Morpheus protects your privacy with access to public-proxy networks; works with your antivirus software; returns fast, multi-source downloads; provides Bitzi anti-spoofing lookups; and includes new community features and parental filters for safe downloads.

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

2006-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

2006-02-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

Well the packateer packetshaper reports went out to the customer. They reviewed it and although I thought they would understand most of it, they wanted to meet to go over it. This is the first report I ddid that would require a meeting with the custoemr afterwards to explain it. Also, my company is looking to pitch MPLS and this report was to be used as evidence that they need to get it for better voice over Ip quality. I don't harly disagree wbut we're the ones that told them to go with the setup they have now that's not working. The meeting did go ok though. I explained what I found and they underrstood. They did however request another view of the data which I can't get through the GUI and have to find the caommand line version to get it. If you need a bandwidth report example or sample there's one here:
http://bloglines.com/blog/puppet. Modify it and add your images. The verbage in the report is decent and fairly general enough to get you going to a full report of your own.

Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

2006-02-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

The meeting did go ok though. I explained what I found and they underrstood. They did however request another view of the data which I can't get through the GUI and have to find the caommand line version to get it.

If you need a bandwidth report example or sample there's one here:

http://bloglines.com/blog/puppet . Modify it and add your images. The verbage in the report is decent and fairly general enough to get you going to a full report of your own.

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Remotely added Terminal server licenses.

2006-02-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

Easy Item today after a high pressure meeting:

Added terminal server licenses to a customer's terminal server today. 20 more licenses for a total of 70. They have two Citrix servers which we deployed (me and fellow tech). Microsoft has made it so easy to get and add licenses. The customer bought them on his own to spare himself the huge markup we'd put on it. He then emailed us the word document that contained the aggreement number and license number. For on demand remote support I often use with this customer remote desktop online to remote control over the Internet his server computers and then just copy and pasted the information in.

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG)

2006-02-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG)

The report when out to the customer. There was one meeting already about the results. I'll me at the custoemr's office tomorrow to go over the results.
I hear they have alot of questions. O'boy...this won't be good.

Adware, pop-ups, spyware removal

2006-02-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

A customer's computer had more toolbars visible in the browser than web page. That was the most number of toolbars that I had ever seen.

To clean up the mess I used:

Adaware se
hijackthis

Part of the process included some manual intervention like:
- Killing running processes that I knew were part of the problem.
- Manual registry editing anf local drive file deletion.
- unintsalled, through application add/remove, tool bars

Computer had no pop-ups afterwards and worked much, much quicker. All tool bars were gone except the defautls.

Creating report from packetshaper units.

2006-01-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

Still trying compile information from reports generated from a couple of packeteer units that were brought back from a customer's offices. One wasi n New Haven Connecticut and the other was in Bohemia Long Island. As much a I like to write, trying to get these reports right on is a pain. Since they are going to be billed, the report has to look and sound perfect. Sometimes when I do this stuff I think I'd rather be troubleshooting computer desktop or network problems instead. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to use the packeteer products, I've definitely have to give them a thunbs up. They make some good stuff, pricy but the data you can retrieve and the traffic shaping they could so on a very granular level is excellent. You know, I just remembered that the reason I'm doing t his report is to troubleshoot a problem. The one thing I have to mention about the packeteer remporting, and I hope they fix this, is that if the year changes over like it just di from '05 to '06, You can't get granular reports. The end date for the report has no year field so the report comes up blank because it's looking into the current year's future.

PIX VPNs going down. Computers can't connect.

2006-01-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Main office has a Cisco PIX 506. Three remote offices have pix 501s. Yesterday one of the small remote office pix wouldn't establish vpn tunnel so remote computers at the location wouldn't connect back to the office. Today another small office's vpn tunnel wouldn't establish even on reboot. Used some remote support software that provided me on-demand pc remote control of one of the remote desktop systems at the remote office then telneted to the PIX and ran the vpnclinet connect command from the enable prompt. This command re-established the vpn and the computers got through to the main office LAN.
Who knows what the problem is. If I find the problem I will surely post it as it might help someone else.

Packeteer reports

2006-01-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

Downloaded a bandiwdth usage report from a 6500 packeteer that was at a custoemrs main site. Looking to get the 2500 series packeteer connected up to my network so I could get the reports from it. The 2500 series was at the same custoemr remote office in connecticut office.
A little problem with the packeteer as far as reports go is the fact that with the year roll over from 05 to 06, the only way to get data for let's say a 2 week period from 05 is by command line. The GUI interface doesn't generate anything, not even an error, when selecting 2 weeks from the prior year. I think one of the things on the GUI that needs to be fixed to allow this is a field need to be added for the year when selecting a period of time the report should be run.

PC Remote Control over the Internet"

2006-01-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

PC Remote Control over the Internet

Home Server roundup - Lifehacker

Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the downloads, web sites and shortcuts that save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live. ... any files on your home computer using only a web browser ... from anywhere. Control your home computer from anywhere. Remote control your computer over the Internet. Assign a domain name to your network by using an admin page...

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Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

Packeteer Bandwidth Usage Report

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Configure Exchange 2003 / 2000 to allow Send As User or Send on Behalf of
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