I recieved a letter yesterday saying that i was chosen for the Biltmore Who's Who list. I though WOW finally some recognition for the work i have put into my field.

Funny thing is tha the letter never mentioned what that field was.

 So i did a little research and apparently (atleast accourding to several websites and blogs) this is nothing more then a scam to get you to give them 600+ dollars.

So be like me and just throw the letter away when you get it.

If you want to be linked to thousands of people in your field go to linked in (Link on left side of this page) or Join the guys at MYITFORUM.

Links to the Scam blogs

http://www.heidimdavis.com/2006/02/open-letter-to-biltmores-whos-who.html 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/320/RipOff0320992.htm

So many others just do a google search

Chris Stauffer <>< 

 I had an issue where certain files that had been replaced from the original MDT had not been updated when i upgraded to MDT 2008.

Here is what I found. The files that had been changed since the previous version where NOT replaced. I renamed each file that I had record of changing to filename.ext.Hack

Then did a repair and found that each file was reinstalled with a date of 3-10-08

Here is the list of what I had hacked

 *************************************************

Given to me by Michael Niehaus

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Templates\Distribution\Scripts\ZTISCCM.WSF   (Hack Date 1-22-08)

Change for a timing issue from a MyITForum forum post

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Scripts\PXEFILTER.VBS   (Hack date 2-13-08)

Gotten from a blog post that Rod Trent made called MicrosoftDeploymentHotfix.zip

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Scripts\Wizard.hta   (Hack date 12-20-2007)

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Templates\Client.XML    (Hack Date 12-20-2007)

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Templates\Server.XML    (Hack Date 12-20-2007)

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Templates\Distribution\Scripts\Wizard.hta    (Hack date 12-20-2007)

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Deployment Toolkit\Templates\Distribution\Scripts\ZTITATOO.WSF   (Hack date 12-20-2007)

*********************************************************************************************************************************************

So if you added any of these things you will need to either delete or rename them and do a repair to get the latest files.

 
Hope this helps someone else out.

Chris Stauffer <>< 

 MDT 2008 was released while i was on vacation so i am a little late at announcing this but i wanted to add my 2 cents.

Microsoft® Deployment Toolkit 2008—Unified Tools and Guidance for Desktop and Server Deployment Automation. Download it today!

Ok this is just my first impression but I wanted to say that the Documentation of this version is a MAJOR improvement over the last version. I decided that before I even install MDT 2008 I wanted to completely review the documents before hand. And I must say that there is still some repetitiveness as in the last documents but the document steps are well improved over the last set.

 
I plan on installing MDT 2008 tomorrow and then I will let you guys know what I think but like I said so far well done on the documentation.

 
And a special thank you to Mike N. for posting additional information on your blog that didn’t make it to the document or just wasn’t clear in the documents. Any help you can give us is appreciated.

 http://blogs.technet.com/mniehaus/

This is a quote from Mike's blog that clarifies why the name was changed:

***************************************************************************************** 

Notice that Microsoft Deployment now has a new, slightly-tweaked name:  Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008.  This hopefully removes some of the ambiguity around the original name, and assigns a date to help make it more clear that Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 is designed to replace Business Desktop Deployment 2007.  (As we added server deployment capabilities, keeping the "Business Desktop Deployment" name didn't work so well any more.)  Let me say that one more time:

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 replaces Business Desktop Deployment 2007

 ****************************************************************************************

 More to follow as i start playing with this new Tool.

Chris Stauffer <>< 

You can add your Zune card to your blog now for people to see what you are listening to.

If you have a Zune just go to this website and get your card  

Visit the Zune Social Gadgets page: http://social.zune.net/profile/gadgets.aspx

Then add it to the news section of the blog like you would with other tags.

 You may need to adjust the size to fit your menu bar.

 I had to make mine height="125" width="230" to fit nice.

Chris Stauffer <>< 

Updated 

Ok obviously some filter doesnt like the name of this website so i attached the PDF to the blog. 

***************************************************************

  I'm not one to get into political fights on my blog but i feel that this article is worth reading.

The gentalman in this article agues against Global Warming and gives 30+ pages of examples as to why it is just a myth and proof to back up his argument.

John Coleman is the founder of "The Weather Channel" 

Global Warming Comments by John Coleman 

http://media.***.clickability.com/documents/Comments+on+Global+Warming1.pdf

 I'll let you read it and decide for your self. 

 *************************

http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/cstauffer/archive/2008/03/17/global-warming-myth-or-fact.aspx  

 ********************************************************************
Title: Microsoft Security Bulletin Re-Releases
Issued: March 19, 2008
********************************************************************

Summary
=======
The following bulletins have undergone a major revision increment.
Please see the appropriate bulletin for more details.

  * MS08-014 - Critical

Bulletin Information:
=====================

* MS08-014 - Critical

 - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-014.mspx
 - Reason for Revision: V3.0 (March 19, 2008): Bulletin updated.
    Added Excel Viewer 2003 Service Pack 3 and Compatibility Pack
    Service Pack 1 to non-affected software. Added FAQ added
    about re-release to fix known issues relating to Excel 2003
    Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3. Updated the file name of
    the Excel 2003 update executable.  
 - Originally posted: March 11, 2008
 - Updated: March 19, 2008
 - Bulletin Severity Rating: Critical
 - Version: 3.0

 Ok so i purchased the new microsoft book

The book came with a CD that had podcasts for each chapter. I tryied to put them on my Zune so i could listen to them at work or where ever but my Zune would not see them.

I ended up posting on the Zune boards to see what i was doing wrong. Here is what i found out.

If you change the file (MP3) genre to Podcast the Zune software will see them and sync them with your Zune.

One thing to keep in mind with this book the podcasts are not numbered so you may want to add a title and a chapter number to them as well so you can figure out what is what on your zune. I also put all of them is their own folder so that the zune grouped them all together.

Hope this helps someone else.

Chris Stauffer <>< 

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Software Development Kit (SDK) v4.0

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=064A995F-EF13-4200-81AD-E3AF6218EDCC&displaylang=en%20

Enjoy 

 I'm not one to get into political fights on my blog but i feel that this article is worth reading.

The gentalman in this article agues against Global Warming and gives 30+ pages of examples as to why it is just a myth and proof to back up his argument.

John Coleman is the founder of "The Weather Channel" 

Global Warming Comments by John Coleman 

http://media.***.clickability.com/documents/Comments+on+Global+Warming1.pdf

 I'll let you read it and decide for your self. 

 *************************

Updated 

Ok obviously some filter doesnt like the name of this website so i attached the PDF to the blog. 

• Username
• PC Name
• Ip Address
• Check connection with the following
• Domain Controller (gets users logon server from the system)
• Internet (Checks google.com)
• Exchange (Checks the primary Exchange server)
• User share (in this case H drive)

• Username
• PC Name
• Domain Name
• Ip Address
• Subnet
• Network card information
• DNS Search order
• Wins
• Primary server
• Secondary server
• Check connection with the following
• Domain Controller (gets users logon server from the system)
• Internet (Checks google.com)
• Exchange (Checks the primary Exchange server)
• User share (in this case H drive)
• All connected shared drives
• All connected printers

An even better reason to try for my MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) 

Guess i know what i will be doing after i get back from MMS 2008

***************************************************************** 

 MCTS for System Center Technologies (Worldwide)
Earn your MCTS: System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuration and/or MCTS: System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuration, to demonstrate your ability to help your organization overcome the challenges of day-to-day IT management with two key System Center technologies. These can stand alone on your résumé to demonstrate deep technical skills or can be combined with other certifications to show off your custom skill set.

Audience: IT professionals with a strong background in Windows Server technologies who have or are seeking a role in operations, have an MCP certification for a previous version, or are working in an organization seeking to deploy System Center in its Windows Server environment. These certifications have no prerequisites, but do assume a strong background in Windows Server technologies.

Getting started: Each MCTS certifications require one exam. Review the appropriate exam preparation guide to learn what skills are required, find available training, and register.

We had an accidental install of IE7 though ITMU lastnight so i had to find a solution to remove it.

Here is the best solution i could come up with.  

%windir%\ie7\spuninst\spuninst.exe /quiet /warnrestart:60 /forceappsclose /log:%SystemDrive%\logfiles\IE7_uninst.log
 

All the users will see is a popup when it is time for a reboot.

 It will countdown for 60 seconds then cause a reboot.

If they want they can put a checkmark in the box and cancel the reboot but the changes will not take affect until the system is rebooted.

 Also if they click finish it will not wait for the count down to reboot.

Thanks to the guys and gals on MYITForum for pointing me in the right direction.

 This product claims to convert text  files to jpegs so that you can read them on your zune.

 http://neamar.free.fr/txt2jpg_en/Presentation.php 

 Give it a try cant hurt. I will be trying this and wil post a review when i am done.

 Rick Houchins posted new rightclick tools for SCCM.

Test them out and let him know what you think. I will be doing the same later today :-) 

http://www.blogcastrepository.com/blogs/sccm_2007_blog_by_rick_houchins/archive/2008/03/05/sccm-console-right-click-tools.aspx  

 
http://www.tondtware.com/

Main Features

• Support for SCCM 2007
• Support for SMS 2003
• Support for site server components on different layers
• Support for changing Visio icons
• Support for Windows XP and Vista
• Support for Vista UAC
• Support for Visio 2003 and 2007
• New: Added client install count - v1.4.2
• New: Added persistent settings - v1.4.2
• New: Added option for Visio to stay open when drawing is completed - v1.4.2
• New: Added tooltips - v1.4.2
• New: Added option to save Visio drawing to any location - v1.4.2
• New: Change Process Completed window to be on top - v1.4.2
• New: Added asynchronous threading - v1.4.3

I cant remeber if i did a post on this in the past on not so i figured it wouldnt hurt to post it again.

Hope this answers some of the questions i have been recieving.

 Note: I included a Doc and a VBS script in the zip file that is attached.

Enjoy

 Ok i tested a few post with scribe fire and well i must say i like it at firstbecause it was easy to setup and use but i had to go back to the blog and re-edit all of the bosts that i did with it because it screwed then all up so i guess i will keep looking for something new. Nextis the new product by microsoft.

I have been receiving several requests for best practices for ITMU and Patch Management with SMS 2003 so here are the responses to one of the emails that covers most of the questions that I have been receiving. These are best practices based on what I have experienced with a large enterprise environment and do not reflect Microsoft’s recommendations but they are close.

****************************************

I Saw your presentation about SMS 2003 and patch management, on the web, And I have some questions about the best practice to&nbsp;deploy&nbsp;security fixes:

&nbsp;

1. How many fixes is recommended to include in one SMS package? In our organization we build for each security fix a&nbsp;package and advertisement/&nbsp;

See ITMU Best Practices below

2. If I Advertised the package for example to all my xp workstation, Is the ITMU Scan will recognize&nbsp;only the fixes that are&nbsp;needed and approved and install them?

See ITMU Best Practices below

3. After I installed same fixes I still see in the resource explorer from the sms console that the fix is in applicable status, in this situation that I scheduled the advertisement once in a&nbsp;week&nbsp;,would &nbsp;the fix will be installed again and again until the status will be change to installed?

You need to run the expedited patch setting. The reason you are not seeing anything change is because you are probably only scanning once a week and not following it with a hardware scan to retrieve the results.

4. What is the best way to build the collection for the security fixes, smart collection with SQL query that defined for example only xp system with MSxx-xx and status applicable? Or flat collection that includes all xp systems?

We use a tiered approach in reverse:

So we start with the smallest group and work our way up to everybody: This is done so that when we get to the top collection all machine are in the pot.

(Top Collection)Collection of all agency systems

---->;Collection of test group b

Ex: (Small group of 100 or so machines across all areas of agencies)

&nbsp;

--->Collection of test machines A

Ex: (test group of 10 machines on IT staff)

5. What should I do if I want to deploy old security fixes ( 03/07) and after I deployed&nbsp;a new cab file I see only the newer?

ITMU is suppose to be smart enough to not install patches that have been removed from circulation either because they where bad or because a new patch was put out that trumps it.

ITMU Best Practices

• Do a Daily ITMU Scan
• Should be run at 12pm so that you reach the most systems and have the least affect on your end users work

• 2 methods to deploy patches
• Monthly update package
• A monthly package will only contain the latest months patches
• A monthly ITMU package should be set to download before execution
• The package should be small (under 50 Megs in most cases)
• By downloading the patches you insure that the newest patches make it to the system in the event of a network outage during the distribution
• Set package to reoccur

• Yearly Update package
• A yearly package should be created to contain all patches that where released for that year
• A yearly ITMU package should be set to execute from the DP
• By executing from the DP you insure that only the patches that are needed by the system are installed this will allow you to save space on the system.