December 2004 - Posts

• Interested in editing the colors and style of your blog?

  Clink on the link for the Custom CSS Selector code to help get you on your way! http://www.myitforum.com/blog/btucker/articles/1112.aspx   Posted Dec 30 2004, 11:23 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Personal Links

• Query: System Information

  Paste this into your new query and it will list the computer name, domain / worksgroup name, user name, computer model, printers and printer ports, computer serial number, processor type, memory and computer description. To get the printer info, you will need to enable that section of the sms_def.mof file. You can search on myITforum to see how to edit that file. You can also limit the results of the query to a specific site if you limit the collection. select SMS_R_System.NetbiosName, SMS_R_System.IPAddresses, SMS_R_System.LastLogonUserDomain, SMS_R_System.LastLogonUserName, SMS_G_System_COMPUTER_SYSTEM.Model, SMS_G_System_PRINTER_DEVICE.Name, SMS_G_System_PRINTER_DEVICE.PortName, SMS_G_System_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE.SerialNumber, SMS_G_System_PROCESSOR.Name, SMS_G_System_X86_PC_MEMORY.TotalPhysicalMemory, SMS_R_System.OperatingSystemNameandVersion, SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.Description from  SMS_R_System inner join SMS_G_System_COMPUTER_SYSTEM on SMS_G_System_COMPUTER_SYSTEM.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId inner join SMS_G_System_PRINTER_DEVICE on SMS_G_System_PRINTER_DEVICE.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId inner join SMS_G_System_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE on SMS_G_System_SYSTEM_ENCLOSURE.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId inner join SMS_G_System_PROCESSOR on SMS_G_System_PROCESSOR.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId inner join SMS_G_System_X86_PC_MEMORY on SMS_G_System_X86_PC_MEMORY.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId inner join SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM on SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId where SMS_R_System.Active = 1 order by SMS_R_System.NetbiosName Posted Dec 29 2004, 02:00 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: SMS SQL Queries

• Implementing and Deploying Microsoft® Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 Workshop

  Microsoft is offering a 2 day workshop on SMS 2003. Check out the link and see if the workshop will be given in your city. Ths cost is only $125.00 for MS Partners!! http://www.msreadiness.com/smsworkshop.asp You will leave this 2-day workshop with an understanding of: Designing and implementing a SMS site deployment. Deployment and installations of SMS clients, including the new SMS 2003 Advanced Clients, How disparate platforms affect client deployment. Advanced Client benefits and how Advanced Clients use SMS Policy and Management Points. Implement software metering processes to audit and track software usage and utilization. Utilize query and reporting functions available in SMS 2003, including SMS Web Reporting for real-time analysis of all enterprise assets Employ SMS 2003 patch deployment features to maintain all aspects of client and server software installations Deploying SMS 2003 Distributing Software to Roaming Clients SMS 2003 Asset and Patch Management How to distribute Windows XP SP2 using SMS 2003 Posted Dec 29 2004, 01:17 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management

• Does anyone out here own a pinball machine?

  Just bought a Stargate pinball machine for the family and I was wondering if anyone has some pinball repair experience? Let me know if you do and we can swap info. So far, the best resource for parts has been The Pinball Resource. If you are in the market for a new or used pin, call Steve Young and get his advice before you buy anything! Word of advice to anyone thinking of buying a pinball machine off Ebay, pay for the insurance and ask tons of questions!! Not everyone securely packs the item. Also, NEVER ship anything with Pilot Air! Pilot is the worst shipping company I have ever worked with. On a lighter note, if you have ever thought about owning a pinball machine... it's tons of fun! It's a great way to spend time with your kids and bring the family together for some fun. Posted Dec 29 2004, 08:22 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Pinball Machines

• Microsoft Answers Requests for MMS 2005 Breakout Session Presenters

  For those of you that have requested to speak at the MMS 2005, check your email. “The theme of the event this year is "Knowledge" and we aim to provide a range of breakout sessions, hands-on labs and peer level sessions providing broad coverage of IT management topics in the area of Windows management. We will again be running a track in 2005 dedicated to real-world experiences, best practices, tips and tricks - and are specifically looking for customers and industry consultants to offer topics in this area. We would welcome your participation in this track. Session slots will be 75 minutes, and should be pitched at a 300-400 level (technical to deep technical) for this audience. The attendees generally have a strong background in Microsoft products, including SMS, MOM and SQL Server. Many have strong Systems Management skills and over 30% have experience managing AD and Exchange infrastructures. For this track we are seeking session proposals from customers and consultants covering real-world use of Microsoft Management products and technologies such as SMS, MOM, Virtual Server, SUS/WUS and MSI. If you have a topic which may be of interest, we are now accepting session proposals at the web link given below. If you wish to submit multiple topics, please complete the form on this site separately for each one. NOTE: We cannot accept session proposals at this site from individuals representing ISVs or SIs. Only end-users or consultants with actual field experience will be considered for the "Real-world Experience" track. We are surveying attendees of the event for their interests and expectations and will make the final session topic selection based on their requirements. Submissions at the site below must be completed by midnight PST on Jan 7th 2005. Selected speakers will be notified of their selection by Jan 14th 2005, prior to the session topics being published to the web.“ You can register to speak by sending a blank email to the address below. MSFT will send a reply with the link to submit your proposal. It may be too late, but if you are interested, send it in NOW! mmstopic@microsoft.com.   Posted Dec 29 2004, 08:03 AM by Anonymous with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Systems Management

• Do you work for a nonprofit company and want cheap software?

  How does $45.00 sound for a SMS server license? Not only does Techsoup sell SMS, but just about anything your organization needs. Check out the link to save money and win big with the boss! Posted Dec 15 2004, 07:34 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management

• Microsoft Technet SMS 2003 Resources Website

  Microsoft has put together a starting point for technical resources related to SMS 2003. You can find links to plan, deploy and maintain SMS as well as security related issues. It's a great place to start after you browse myITforum. Posted Dec 15 2004, 07:21 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management

• Get your RSS feed directly from Bill Gates!

  Yep, even the almighty one is blogging! The link below will get you to his RSS feed link. I think he should have a full blog just like everyone else. Hey Bill, get with Rod and I am sure he will set you up! Posted Dec 15 2004, 07:10 PM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management

• December Security Patch MS04-045 - QNumber: 870736 Issue

  As I was just going through the DSUW, I wanted to add QNumber 870736 to my list of patches for my servers. Looking at the offered numbers, I noticed there IS NOT A NUMBER 870736 IN THE LIST! MSFT must have fat fingered the number because it is listed as 870763. The discription is correct, but the number is off. So, you are now looking for 870763 to patch your servers, not the number from MSFT website. Can someone please confirm this???   2004 Vulnerability in WINS Could Allow Remote Code Execution (870736): MS04-045 Affected Software: Windows NT Server 4.0, Windows NT Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition, Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server, Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition Windows NT4 Service Pack 6a, Windows NT4 Terminal Server Service Pack 6, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003 Gold Important UPDATE - MSFT has changed the QNumber on the website to 870763. For those of you that installed it and query to find the old QNumber, you won't find it. You will have to use 870763 in the query. I doubt many will be affected by this since it has only been out for one day, but wanted to point it out.   Posted Dec 15 2004, 10:08 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management

• Basic SMS 2003 collection queries to Active Directory groups

  Interested in a few queries for AD users, computers and groups? Check out my article and see how easy it is! http://www.myitforum.com/blog/btucker/articles/224.aspx Posted Dec 14 2004, 11:18 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: SMS SQL Queries

• Query: Patch Install Successful - Reboot Required

  Most patches require a reboot and we configure the command line to do just that. However, sometimes the workstation or server does not reboot. For patches that do require a reboot, they are considered not functional until the reboot completes. The first query will list all machines in all sites for all patches. Run the query below to see which computers in your sites need a push in the right direction. select SMS_R_System.NetbiosName, SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.ID, SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.LastStatusTime, SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.QNumbers from  SMS_R_System inner join SMS_G_System_PatchStatus on SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId where SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.LastStatusMessageIDName = "Installation was successful and a reboot is needed for the update to take effect" order by SMS_R_System.NetbiosName This next query will prompt you for the specific Update ID such as MS04-040. select SMS_R_System.NetbiosName, SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.ID, SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.LastStatusTime, SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.QNumbers from  SMS_R_System inner join SMS_G_System_PatchStatus on SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId where SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.LastStatusMessageIDName = "Installation was successful and a reboot is needed for the update to take effect" and SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.ID = ##PRM:SMS_G_System_PatchStatus.ID## order by SMS_R_System.NetbiosName   Posted Dec 10 2004, 08:28 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: SMS SQL Queries

• Query: All Advertisements to Sub-Collections

  You should keep tabs on which advertisements are sending packages to sub-collections. Why? Because sometimes an advertisement will be created and someone clicks the button to advertise to sub-collections by mistake. Then you have a package deploying by mistake. This query will give you the advert name and advert ID it is advertised to. You can add more columns if you like! select AdvertisementName, AdvertisementID from  SMS_Advertisement where IncludeSubCollection = 1   Posted Dec 09 2004, 11:34 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: SMS SQL Queries

• Systems Management Server 2003 Product Documentation

  Are you new to SMS 2003? If so, click the pic to get started with product documentation. This is the main page for SMS 2003 documentaion on MSFT's web site. Posted Dec 09 2004, 10:58 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management

• The Turnpike Prank

  I ran across this a while back and thought it was one of the funniest things I have read in a LONG time. If you think this is funny, read the credit card prank after the turnpike prank. Since I read the credit card prank, I have stopped signing my name on receipts. You will get the idea. John Hargrave is a very funny guy!! Posted Dec 09 2004, 08:26 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Personal Links

• Systems Management Server 2003 Troubleshooting Flowcharts

  Click the pic to view ALL the SMS 2003 flowcharts. This is a great reference when you are having problems and need to know where to look. Posted Dec 08 2004, 11:24 AM by Anonymous with no comments Filed under: Systems Management