Outlook Web App didn't initialize - Exchange 2010

Desktops, Servers, and Networks, oh MY!

Outlook Web App didn't initialize - Exchange 2010

This and many other Outlook and even Microsoft Exchange related issues can be resolved remotely. With software for online desktop support, you could access desktops and servers remotely to work on issues with email clients or mail delivery from servers.  

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 Outlook Web 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 applied successfully. The problem was the settings in IIS and in Exchange management console for client access of Outlook Web Access (now called outlook web app) were not "matching".

Server configuration > client access > OWA properties > Authentication Tab

Select Use Forms Based, Username 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 and Exchange 2016 server to get past the OWA error message after login in of:

Outlook Web App didn't initialize.

RDP manager software can help with application issues.

RDP manager software plays a crucial role in resolving Outlook application issues by providing professionals with a centralized platform to manage and troubleshoot various aspects of the application. Firstly, this software allows IT administrators to remotely connect to desktops or servers that are experiencing Outlook problems, enabling them to quickly identify and resolve any underlying issues. Additionally, RDP manager software enhances efficiency by providing functionalities like session management, which allows multiple users to simultaneously access and work on the same session without interrupting each other's progress. OWA or Outlook is only one example of many where RDP connection management software enables a centralized platform for initiating a support experience for the end-user. Furthermore, it offers features such as file sharing and collaboration tools that facilitate seamless communication between team members, enabling them to address Outlook problems collectively. Overall, the RDP manager software streamlines troubleshooting processes by offering a comprehensive set of tools and capabilities that ensure efficient resolution of application issues in a professional setting. Similar to RDCMan, the software facilitates the creation of a list of re-usable RDP connections. RDCMan requires installation and to use on multiple computers or laptops, the list has to be exported and imported.

Online RDP Manager

Online RDP manager software, the managed and centralized list of RDP connections is available from any computer or devices independent of operating system. RDS servers enable a pseudo centralized RDP connection and desktop availability. They are commonly used to give users access to a virtual application or desktop. Software to centralize RDP connections, such as software from 4RemoteSupport.com, is designed for a single administrator or support teams presents a list of managed RDP connections to access servers or desktops that are RDP enabled. Since 4RemoteSupport's online RDP manager doesn't require installation but instead is an online RDP manager, the software user interface permits one or more administrators to modify the list of RDP connections and have access at the same time. The list of RDP connections is available to all team members. Unlike RDCMan, the list of RDP connections doesn't have to be exported to be shared.  All administrators can access the shared list of online RDP connections at the same time from any internet connected device with a browser.   

 

Citrix Session Printers Registry Key Location

Session printers created via policy

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 user's 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.

Similar to Citrix is RDS using RDP protocol. Similar issues are encountered when using RDP for user access to desktops or Administrator access to servers or desktops. Managing RDP connections can be time consuming and having a centralized RDP connections make administration and management easier. RDS gateway such as this one similarly to Citrix permits multiuser access. 

A Browser Active Sync Test URL

Technical issues with IIS, OWA, other web based email services and even email clients such as Outlook can be resolved remotely. Software for Online Computer support can help resolve problems remotely. More often than not, user experience is increased by enabling your support team to have on-demand remote access to desktop computers and server. The more methods there are to test, the more likely the problem you're working on can be resolved with certainty and assuredness.  

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.

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 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. 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.

Since the writing of the above article Exchange and email hosting has changed dramatically. There are fewer installations of Exchange servers on-premises, and the use of hosted email or online exchange has increased tremendously.  I'm personally not a huge proponent of hosted everything. Once hosted, the hosting company essentially has a key control of your destiny and future. I do understand the need, convenient use, and the economics of hosting. The use of hosting services is invaluable. The are still those who have their own servers in their server rooms and data closets. In addition, there are companies that have their servers hosted in a cloud whereby the server is still theirs essentially, it's not just a service but a windows server that's accessible as if it was present in their own server room. A convenient method for accessing those servers has still remained to be RDP (remote desktop protocol).

Managing RDP Connections

RDP access is used extensively by network and server administrators all across the world. Small and large IT departments benefit from using RDP. Initially part of Microsoft's NT Terminal server which was a separate independent edition of Microsoft Windows server. RDP was then implemented as an add-on service feature of windows server. The RDP was added to desktops such as the pro editions of Windows, RDP is widely used to access servers in their own closest or hosted in a cloud. RDP provides benefits that on the surface assist in accessing and managing servers remotely. RDP protocol helps with troubleshooting issues with file servers, email servers, or other enterprise servers such as domain controller servers for Active Directory and more.  RDP clients have been developed for macOS and Linux systems. There are even RDP protocol clients for android and tablets. Managing RDP connections can be achieved by using installable desktop software or a better method for accessing RDP connections is online using a browser.  Managing RDP connection is beneficial to all administrators and also could be useful for standard general users of desktop. Since the RDP protocol has been implemented into the pro editions of the windows desktop operating system, RDP connectivity has bee made available for general purpose productivity and application use by users. Managing RDP connection can be centralized with the proper software tool. An RDP manager can provide access in a centralized manor to RDP connection made available to administrator and user. https://4RemoteSupport.com software for managing RDP connections centrally is 100% online and compatible with macOS, Linux and MS Windows and virtually any device can manager RDP connections. 

RDP Connection Manager

Microsoft has since initial inception of RDP and terminal server RDS gateway. remote desktop Gateway is a method for network and server administrators to provide a centralized location for users to access to connect to RDS (Remote desktop Service) servers or their own desktops. Independant of RDS gateway are RDP connection manager software tools that enable administrators and server admins to give access for themselves and for users An RDP connection manager software centralizes connections.  RDP connection manager software that's completely online further simplifies access to RDP connections for administrators and general users by offering a single point of connectivity and predefined connections 4RemoteSupport has a RDP Connection manager software tool that enable A centralized RDP manager, that also simplifies managing and connecting to desktops and services through a simple UI. Administrators can add new connections in seconds and are available to other administrators or users immediately. RDP connection manager software tool by 4RemoteSupport creates RDP files "on the fly". When a connection attempt is made using one of the saved RDP connections, a file is created and downloaded through the browser's standard file download interface. There's no need to save RDP files on servers, or on web sites. there's no way for a hacker to get all connections because they are automatically crated and downloaded each time the RDP connections are accessed by an administrator or user. RDP connection manager software that saves files requires exporting. managing RDP connections using an RDP connection manager that's online instead of installed on a desktop provides faster easier access to RDP connections with a centralized easy t use interface that benefits administrators and general users of RDP. https://4RemoteSupport.com RDP Connection manager is a software tool that doesn't require installation for centralized RDP connection management with a simple browser UI securely. 

VMware Boot From ISO Image

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 separate operating systems, virtual of course, tests can be run much easier as there's really no restore to perform or drive swapping like in the old days to bring the system back to a state for a re-test.  Some issues can be resolved using RDP. RDS Gateways and Hosts use RDP and permit access to server with RDP enabled 

Benefits of Online Remote Access PC Support.

Online PC Remote Support Software

The cost saving benefits 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 such as 4RemoteSupport 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 performed 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 even 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. Efficiency 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 competitive within their market segment. Vendors such as dell, Cisco, hp, and others are committing 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 changes 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 - Symantec

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 since it's inception during the dos era. With carbon copy as it symantec's prime competitor back then it was some battle for control of pc remote control (no pun intended).

5 Desktop Systems Still in Boxes to Deploy

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 MacAfee problem to resolve. The mcafee EPO (ePolicy Orchestrator) 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 uninstalled 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 Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Remote Computer Support

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.

Cheap, Affordable Remote Computer Control - 4RemoteSupport

It's cheap and affordable online computer remote control over the Internet. One account permits unlimited 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 4RemoteSupport remote access 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.

PIX VPNs going down. Computers can't connect.

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 telnetted to the PIX and ran the VPN client 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.

PC Remote Control over the Internet - 4RemoteSupport

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...

Link to similar post on this topic - Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Computer Remote Support Software

Computer Remote Support Software

4RemoteSupport desktop support software

Desktop support software can help any support business or company increase profits by providing their technical support staff for desktop support or server support the tool and ability to remotely control computer desktops and servers through the web for remote support.

Restart DCHP CLI Command over Remote Access - 4RemoteSupport

DHCP Problem 

I connected to a customer's server computer using a subscription I have 4RemoteSupport for pc remote control on-demand software from a service provider. I had to check on a DHCP problem. This domain has to DHCP servers for redundancy. One had a portion of the IP subnet and the other has another portion of the subnet. It's split almost down the middle. It seems that for some reason the DHCP on one of their servers was not responding and all leases were out for computers on the first scope. The solution was a stop and restart of the services.

Restart DHCP process 

Remotely access the server using 4RemoteSupport, Once you have control of the server restarting the processes is actually a simple process on Windows server . This works on all versions of Microsoft Windows server. Just ensure your on the right once that is running the DHCP service.  

Open an elevated command prompt.

Enter

c:\> net stop dhcp && net start dhcp

 The commands could be spit to two separate commands. 

c:\> net stop dhcp

c:\> net start dhcp

On a Linux system 

To stop the DHCP service, type the following command: # /etc/init.d/dhcp stop.

To start the DHCP service, type the following command: # /etc/init.d/dhcp start.

 

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Link to post with related topic - Computer Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Remote Support Software

Remote Computer couldn't connect to Citrix Server.

Remote Computer couldn't connect to Citrix Server.

 

A remote computer couldn't connect to Citrix server. There was a Linksys router that was on the LAN that someone decided to use for the switch ports and not for routing. The outer features on the Linksys can't be disabled and the IP address had been changed but for some reason, either manually or by some other trigger, the Linksys defaulted to it's out-of-box  IP address which happens to be the same as our production PIX. Some computers were having trouble connecting to the internet. Others were ok.

One the device removed

 One the device was removed the problem went away. The remote computer is used by a telemarketer from home and was unable to connect to the citrix server through the VPN  tunnel. It happens that the server she was connecting to for the published app was one of the systems having trouble with routing because of the second router being online with the same IP address. I used PC anywhere to connect to her desktop pc system and remote control it to see what she was experiencing and not my online pc remote support software that I usually use.

 

 

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Online pc remote support software - Linktivity

Screen-sharing

Try this site out if your looking for pc remote control software that allows you to connect to a remote computer over the internet to provide desktop tech support on demand to. The end-user that's on the computer your looking to control remotely just clicks start and downloads a small executable program that connect the desktop to yours for screen-sharing.

Enter a support and connect

 Enter a support and connect. All this is done right from the homepage with a browser.  They then click connect and the software downloads to their system with a configuration to connect back to yours. This concept is done I think by a lot of companies but they make you have the same configuration for your network. If it changes it's going to cost more money to get it changed by them. This online computer remote control for support site allows you to make changes on the fly. If your configuration changes you could change your settings through an account profile page. I opened an account an trying it out. Another product which I've seen in action which is pretty good for collaboration software is made by Linktivity. This software package has a lot of bells and whistles. The same package does remote support too. You have to but a server for this software.

Interesting old article on support.

 Good technical customer service

This is an old article that's dated back to '97 (whew that's eons in the tech world) It shows however how the industry was growing at that time. Now it's just have become huge. I'll have more to say on that. Here's the article. I've got to give credit - I didn't write it. It's from https://www.helpdesksolutions.com/Publications/remote.htm Reach-out and Touch That PC via Phone, LAN Or Internet Printer August 1997 Computer News Good technical customer service is finding the right solution in the shortest amount of time. Both of these factors aim at the getting the customer, whether it is a co-worker or an external customer, back to work with the least disruption. Two factors have made this more difficult as the desktop has replaced the glass house environment of the mainframe. The first component is the flexibility of the graphical user interface (GUI), which allows each person to customize his or her desktop while still using the same application as everyone else. The second is a more mobile work force. Customer service staff have been dealing with the GUI problem for several years, but supporting a mobile work force is just now becoming a reality as more members of the staff use computers away from the office. To cope with the GUI, the help desk has found that some problems cannot be diagnosed over the phone. These problems must be solved by a visit to the caller's office, or the caller’s PC must be shipped in for problem diagnosis and repair. 

Diagnosis and repair

As the number of mobile users increases, a visit to the caller’s office is impossible and shipping the PC to solve the problems just does not make sense. At the same time that these problems are becoming more critical, businesses are continuing to look for ways to reduce the cost of desktop support. (The Gartner group estimates $3000 - $4,800 per PC per year.) Happily, some new tools are entering the market place and some old tools getting a second look to help with these problems. All of these tools provide remote-control access to the customer’s PC. A remote-control application allows a support person to view the customer’s screen, take over the customer’s desktop, or modify files on the customer’s PC. I can already see the security folks shaking their heads and saying, "Too big a risk." There is some truth to what they are saying, the customer can control that risk by limiting the access to his or her PC by a help desk analyst. The remote control packages can require both log-on names and passwords. Some other options include limits to sessions and the retiring of log-on names and passwords after a specified amount of time. Remote-control applications can quickly improve the productivity of both the help desk analyst and the customer. When the help desk analyst can view the customer’s desktop, communication improves.

Better communication between the two parties

 Better communication between the two parties with the same goal and the same vision results in a shorter resolution time. This often eliminates visits by technical staff to the customer’s office to troubleshoot a problem. When the help desk analyst can take control of the customer’s desktop, then the analyst can demonstrate exactly how to execute a function within an application. If a picture is worth a 1000 words, then a demonstration must be worth 10,000. With remote-control, the idea of just-in-time training has real meaning. Just-in-time training will improve the customer’s productivity and possibly eliminate future calls to the help desk, which, in turn, will help increase the productivity of the help desk. If the help desk analyst is allowed to modify files on the customer's desktop, then many problems that presently require visits to customer’s office can be eliminated. This saves time for both the customer and the help desk analyst, increasing the productivity for both. Several PC vendors, including Compaq, IBM, NEC, and Dell, are including remote-control client software with their hardware products. (I'll comment on some of this stuff since since then alot has changed) These remote-control applications perform by using either the LAN, a modem, or by Internet. Several of the remote-control packages that work under Windows 95 are Microcom’s Carbon Copy for Windows, Artisoft's InSync CoSession Remote, Traveling Software's LapLink for Windows 95, Danware Data A/S's NetOp for Windows, Symantec's Norton pcAnywhere32, Stac's ReachOut, and Avalan's Remotely Possible/32. Three of these--pcAnywhere32, LapLink, and Remotely Possible/32 for Windows 95--have 32-bit architectures. Since all of these products support TCP/IP, remote-control via the Internet is now a viable possibility. Help desk analysts can access their customer’s desktop from anywhere in the world, saving on long distance charges. Remote control over the Internet does have its stumbling blocks. For example, in order to connect to another PC over the Internet, you must know it's TCP/IP address. Unfortunately, if the customer’s PC normally accesses the Internet via an on-line service or a modem connection to an Internet service provider, the PC may be allocated a different TCP/IP address with each session. Remote-control is another tool that the customer service industry has begun to implement to reduce the cost of providing support for each desktop within the company.

Chat Software on web sites

https://www.helpdesksolutions.com/publications.html I have to add this now and more later. Since that time when that article was written a whole new category of software has become most prevalent and at the tip of all support type peoples lips, and that is remote support software. Also commonly referred to as 4RemoteSupport online PC remote support software . This type of software often combines remote access and remote desktop control. There are other software tools and utilities that fall under the category of support software as well. One of the most common and well known is Chat Software on web sites. 

Now the term online pc remote support software is not a new idea or concept but it's a category that says this software or service is design to support computers remotely not just for the sake of remote controlling even though at the core of all such packages or services is a remote controlling feature (software). A nice package name for the old remote access tool. Remote support software has another twist in that the different packages out there have one things in common or at least a common motivation. Since LAN remote control is now-days to most of us a no brainer or a piece of cake to implement, 4RemoteSupport remote support software aim or goal is to work over the internet. In a previous post I started to explain some of the differences among the techniques used. Yes, I know - I didn't finish but I will.

Remote Support Software - Cisco

Cisco Webex

There are a lot of software companies out there (on the internet that is ) that have on-demand remote pc control PC software for online remote desktop support available. I mean there are tons. features and functions vary among some of the tools but at the core the goal is to get remote access of a computer wither over the web online or inside your own network such as a LAN which includes WiFi networks. 

High-end to Free

There's everything from the hi-end Cisco Webex to free stuff that takes a little more work and know how to get going but are usable. There are also the tried and true types like pc-anywhere for remote PC support on-demand that were all familiar with. At least those of us that are in the computer business in one way or another. The VNC flavors that are mostly free and have been around for ages. VNC though has been a good useful tool for many years and for thousands of companies and it still does the job. Plus it has a very small footprint and is very versatile. The remote support software industry is just booming. Remote controlling computers over the internet seems to be the thing. A very useful thing. Especially when the tech person doesn't have too much to get the remote system under there control. I'll have more on the next post . . .the baby is crying and I have to give the wife a hand and take this "call" .