Don Hite at myITforum.com

Microsoft Common Console (MMC) Document Shortcuts

Here you will find a list of many of the Microsoft Common Console Documents that are available for use with Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. These can be executed from the command line, from your Start – Run line or via a script such as a batch file or a VBS script.

Note: An MSC is a Microsoft Common Console Document as designated by the .Msc file extension.

Active Directory Domains And Trusts  

Domain.msc

Active Directory Management 

Admgmt.msc

Active Directory Schema         

Schmmgmt.msc

Active Directory Sites And Services     

Dssite.msc

Active Directory Users And Computers           

Dsa.msc

Authorization Manager 

Azman.msc

Certificate Templates   

Certtmpl.msc

Certificates      

Certmgr.msc

Certification Authority  

Certsrv.msc

Component Services    

Comexp.msc

Computer Management           

Compmgmt.msc

Device Manager          

Devmgmt.msc

DHCP 

Dhcpmgmt.msc

Disk Defragmenter       

Dfrg.msc

Disk Management        

Diskmgmt.msc

Distributed File System (DFS) 

Dfsgui.msc

DNS   

Dnsmgmt.msc

Event Viewer   

Eventvwr.msc

Group Policy   

Gpedit.msc

Indexing Service          

Ciadv.msc

IP Address Management         

Ipaddrmgmt.msc

Local Security Settings             

Secpol.msc

Local Users And Groups         

Lusrmgr.msc

Performance    

Perfmon.msc

Public Key Management          

Pkmgmt.msc

Remote Desktops        

Tsmmc.msc

Remote Storage           

Rsadmin.msc

Removable Storage     

Ntmsmgr.msc

Removable Storage Operator Requests            

Ntmsoprq.msc

Resultant Set Of Policy            

Rsop.msc

Services          

Services.msc

Shared Folders            

Fsmgmt.msc

SMS Console  

Sms.msc

SQL Server Configuration Manager     

SQLServerManager.msc

Telephony       

Tapimgmt.msc

UUID Services Console          

Uddi.msc

Windows Management Infrastructure (WMI) 

Wmimgmt.msc

WINS 

Winsmgmt.msc

Creating a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet With Excel Color Values VB Script

By Request Changing Column Data In SQL Server

There may be times when you need to modify data within a SQL table. This can be a daunting process if you have many renames or other changes to make. You need to use the SQL “Update” command to accomplish this.

The basic syntax is as follows:

Update <TableName>

Set <Column> = '<NewDataValue>'

Where <Column> = '<ExistingDataValue>'

Using the NorthWind database as an example we can use the “Employees” table to change all occurrences of "Sales Representative" to "Sales Rep" using the query below:

Update Employees

Set Title = 'Sales Rep'

Where Title = 'Sales Representative'

If you have multiple changes to make within the same table the simplest way to accomplish this without writing a lot of code is to simply copy, paste and modify your existing query.

For example if we wanted to change all occurrences of "Sales Representative" to "Sales Rep" and all of the occurrences of " Vice President, Sales" to "Sales VP" we would copy the exiting query and paste it twice adding the keyword “GO” in between the two statements and modifying one of them to reflect the additional change as in the final example below:

Update Employees

Set Title = 'Sales Rep'

Where Title = 'Sales Representative'

Go

Update Employees

Set Title = 'Sales VP'

Where Title = 'Vice President, Sales'

To verify the change exectute the following query:

Select Title From Employees

Warning: Do not attempt this on a production SMS or MOM database server.

WMI Namespace Errors In CCMSetup Log file

 In your SMS client systems CcmSetup.Log file in the CcmSetup directory you may see any one of the following errors or warnings:

* MSI: Setup was unable to create the WMI namespace CCM
The error code is 80041001

* MSI: Warning 25101. Setup was unable to delete WMI namespace CIMV2\SMS
The error code is 80041001

* Client installation has failed too many times. Ccmsetup will now abort.
 
* Installation failed with error code 1603
 
What this is basically telling you is that WMI is out to lunch and has been reported as AWOL. To resolve these log file issues you must delete or rename the machines WMI Repository and allow it to recreate itself.

Follow the steps below to accomplish this:

1. Stop the "Windows Management Instrumentation" service.

2. Rename the %WinDir%\System32\Wbem\Repository folder to ”Oldrepository”.

3. Restart the “Windows Management Instrumentation service”.

4. Verify that the %WinDir%\System32\Wbem\Repository folder has been recreated.

5. Reinstall the SMS client software.

By Request Write SMS Component Info To Text File VB Script

In a previous post entitled “Write SMS Component Info To Excel VB Script” I showed how you could send the results of the Control Panels ‘System Management’ applets ‘System Management properties’ components tab to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet using the input box to enumerate a specific machine.

Here is an example of how to grab the same information but write the results to a text file that will be placed in the same directory from which the script is executed from.

Vbs Script:

Modifying SQL Queries To View More Than 255 Characters

SQL 7.0 and its predecessor SQL 2000 both have a default setting to return a maximum of 255 characters from any given column regardless of the Data Type applied to that column. SQL Server 2005 adds one to the mix by setting the default to 256 characters.

For SQL 7.0 and 2000 the maximum that you can set is 8,192 characters. For SQL 2005 the maximum that you can set is 65,535 characters for a grid and 8,192 characters for text as with SQL 2000.

For most SQL query results 255 characters is quite sufficient however you still may want to modify SQL’s behavior to view either more or less information. Use the steps below to change the maximum number of characters that you want returned to your result set.

To change this value for SQL Server 7.0 or SQL Server 2000 use the following steps:
 

• From within the SQL Query Analyzer
• Select “Tools”
• Select “Options”
• Select “Results”
• Where it states "Maximum number of characters per column:" you can enter your new value and select “OK” to save the change

 
To change this value for SQL Server Management Studio use the following steps:
 

• From within the SQL Server Management Studio
• Select “Tools”
• Select “Options”
• Click the + sign to expand “Query Results”
• Expand “SQL Server”
• Select “Results to Text”
• Where it states "Maximum number of characters displayed in each column:" you can enter your new value and select “OK” to save the change

Note: You can also click on “Reset To Default” to change the value back to 256 if needed.

By Request SQL Query To Determine What Operating Systems SMS Supports

 The WMI class SMS_SupportedPlatforms is created and populated when you install SMS. It is “Read Only” in that you cannot add or remove from it.

The only way to add or remove from this class is when SMS itself modifies it. When a new Pdf is processed on the site systems and it contains a platform not found in the existing SMS_SupportedPlatforms table that information is added to the WMI class instance.

The query below can be executed from SQL 2000 or SQL 2005 with either SMS 2.0 or SMS 2003 installed.

 SQL Query:

Select

OsPlatform Architecture,

OsName 'Operating System',

DisplayText Version,

'OsMinVersion' = Case

When OsMinVersion = '0.00.0000.0' Then 'All Previous Versions'

Else OsMinVersion

End,

'OsMaxVersion' = Case

When OsMaxVersion = '99.99.9999.9999' Then 'All Future Versions'

Else OsMaxVersion

End

From SupportedPlatforms

Where OsMinVersion <> '0'

By Request: Reader Requested Scripts and Queries

Since I began as a columnist writing for Rod Trent on SWYNK.Com now Enterpriseitplanet.Com in 1999 I have received E-Mail request and questions on a fairly regular basis from readers throughout the world.

In the past I have responded to each and every one of those E-Mails (And will continue to do so) if I could resolve their questions or not. For the most part I am pleased to say that I either addressed their questions or pointed them in the right direction to satisfy them. This was great both for the requestor and for myITforum readers in that many of my articles and post over the years are based on ideas taken for these E-Mails.

When Rod graciously provided me with my own place in space on myITforum’s blogs page I found that I could both write and post my articles, scripts and queries swiftly and instantaneously with a few clicks of the mouse. I soon began to realize that Blog pages are not much different than E-Mail in that they are both as close to real-time as I can get.

I have created a new category on my Blog page appropriately called “By Request” for reader requested scripts, queries and general questions . Here I will post some of my final responses to questions I have received from readers that I feel may benefit the myITforum community.

NOTE: Out of respect (and to maintain anomimity) for my readers I will not publish the E-Mail addresses or the identity of the requestors nor will I publish the E-Mail contents here.

If you would like to submit request for SQL, WQL, WMI or VBS scripts send me an E-Mail to DonHite@knoxy.Net and I will address your questions in a timely manner as time allows as I jot down notes thought the week and do a majority of my writing on the weekends.

There are also a number of resources that are provided by myITforum where you can also interact with the user community on almost any subject from Altiris to Windows and get resolution to your questions listed below:

MyITforum Home Page:

Http://Www.myITforum.Com

Forums:

Http://Www.myITforum.Com/Forums

E-Mail Discussion Lists:

Http://Www.myITforum.Com/Lists.Asp

Daily Newsletter:

Http://Www.myITforum.Com/Newsletter.Asp

Computer Stupidities

Computer Stupidities

The Computer Stupidities page is where you can view "A large collection of stories and anecdotes about clueless computer users" by Topic including the following:

Systems, Hardware, Networks, Emergencies, Tech Support, Role Reversal and Others

Write SMS Component Info To Excel VB Script

This Vbs script will prompt you for a machine name and in turn write the following SMS component information: Machine Name, Component, Version and State as it appears in the Control Panels ‘System Management’ applets ‘System Management properties’ components tab to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

It will query the following components and return the Installed or Enabled state of each:

CCM Framework

CCM Policy Agent

CCM Status Agent

SMS Client Core Components

SMS Inventory Agent

SMS Remote Control Agent

SMS Shared Components

SMS Software Distribution Agent

SMS Software Metering Agent

SMS Software Update Agent

SMS Source List Update Agent

Vbs Script:

Set objExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")

objExcel.Visible = True

objExcel.Workbooks.Add

intRow = 2

objExcel.Cells(1, 1).Value = "Machine Name"

objExcel.Cells(1, 2).Value = "Component"

objExcel.Cells(1, 3).Value = "Version"

objExcel.Cells(1, 4).Value = "State"

strComputer = InputBox("Enter Machine Name To Query")

Set oCPAppletMgr = CreateObject("CPApplet.CPAppletMgr", strComputer )

Set oClientComponents = oCPAppletMgr.GetClientComponents()

For Each oOption In oClientComponents

objExcel.Cells(intRow, 1).Value = strComputer

objExcel.Cells(intRow, 2).Value = oOption.DisplayName

objExcel.Cells(intRow, 3).Value = oOption.Version

Select Case oOption.State

Case 0 objExcel.Cells(intRow, 4).Value = "Installed"

Case 1 objExcel.Cells(intRow, 4).Value = "Enabled"

Case 2 objExcel.Cells(intRow, 4).Value = "Disabled"

End Select

intRow = intRow + 1

Next

Set oClientComponents = Nothing

Set oCPAppletMgr = Nothing

objExcel.Range("A1:D1").Select

objExcel.Selection.Interior.ColorIndex = 19

objExcel.Selection.Font.ColorIndex = 11

objExcel.Selection.Font.Bold = True

objExcel.Cells.EntireColumn.AutoFit

SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft SQL server 2005 like its predecessors includes several keyboard shortcuts. Since SQL 2005 has many new features and a vast number of improvements as well several of the keyboard shortcuts have been change or replaced by the new enhancements.

Below you will find the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts found in the  SQL Server Management Studio.

Launch Query Analyzer           

+ R for Run and then SqlWb.exe to launch SQL Server Management Studio

Results in Grid 

Ctrl + D

Change database         

Ctrl + U

Results in Text 

Ctrl + T

Execute Query 

Ctrl + E or F5

Show/Hide Object browser     

F8 (Auto Hide has to be enabled)

New Query Window   

Ctrl + Q

New Query with New Connection       

Ctrl + N (Then selecting SQL Server Query template)

Open a .SQL Script file           

Ctrl + O

Full Screen      

Shift + Alt + Enter

Parse the query

Ctrl + F5

Show/Hide Results Pane          

Ctrl + R

Switch between query and results panes           

F6

Information about all the objects in the current database

Alt + F1

Determining What Site Server Is Defined As Your Server Locator Point

Multi-Threaded Software Inventory Processing in SMS 2003 SP2

With the release of SMS 2003 Service Pack 2 the SMS executive service component thread software inventory processor now works as a multi-threaded process. Since it is multi-threaded it allows for better and faster processing for large numbers of software inventory files waiting to be processed on your SMS site server if it is running on multi-processor (CPU) hardware. If you have dual CPU’s the performance can be doubled and increased by as much as 200%.

The process is configured by setting the “SMS Software Inventory Processor” key in the registry hive HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SMS\COMPONENTS which now includes the following:

Inbox Polling Interval

Maximum Records Per Batch

Max File Size

Max Orphan Age

Processed File Count

Maximum Collected Files

Maximum Files Per Cycle

Forwarding Bitmask

CAP Polling Interval

Backlog Threading Threshold

Max Worker Threads

The “Backlog Threading Threshold” key is where you configure the trigger point to initiate the creation of an additional thread. You set the value for the number of backlogged software inventory files here by setting the Maximum number that must be reached before the additional thread is created on your additional CPU’s. When the threshold once again falls below the number that you have specified the additional thread is removed. The default value is set to 0x00000400(1024) or 1024 and can be modified by changing the Dword value higher or lower as you wish.

The “Max Worker Threads” key is where you define the number of process threads that the software inventory processor can launch or spawn to process backlogs of software inventory files. The default is set to 0x00000003(3) or 3 and can be set to a maximum value of 10. Microsoft recommends that you set this to the number of CPU’s in use on your site server. For example if it is a dual processor set the value to 2 or leave it set to the default of 3 (Even though you will not gain anything by having the value set to a  number that exceeds your actual number if installed processors). If you have 4 processors set the value to 4 and so on.

Reporting Spam: Spoof E-Mails And Phishing Scams

Mrs. Bun: Have you got anything without Spam in it?

Waitress: Well, there's Spam, egg, sausage, and Spam. That's not got MUCH Spam in it.

- Monty Python Skit

Spam is when multiple copies of the same email are sent to a list of user addresses in an attempt to force the message on people also known as unsolicited E-Mail. Most of it is commercial advertising for products such as Viagra and the like and not only is annoying and the scourge of E-Mail users and can affect internet traffic and bandwidth all the way up to your Internet service provider or ISP.

Spoof email is a mail message that appears as if it has originated by someone you know such as a friend or colleague or even from your financial institution. Most of these are just bogus messages but with malicious intent. Some even appear as if they came from a well known website such as the email I received below which reads in part:

From: aw-confirm@eBay.com [mailto:aw-confirm@eBay.com]

Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 5:34 AM

Subject: Message From eBay Member

This email was sent by an eBay member via eBay's email forwarding system. If you reply to the email, your response will go directly to the member and not through eBay.

Message From eBay Member

Hello, Payment has been sent today at 10:13 AM. I am looking forward to complete the transaction. Thank you,

You can view the item clicking the link below. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem=506xxxxx

Thank you, eBay Billing Department

I knew right away that this was out of the ordinary because I don’t use eBay and to my knowledge I don’t know anyone who does. So as usual I deleted it and when I resynchronized my outlook another message with the same subject line appeared and I knew I was being spamed.

Phishing is when someone creates a replica of an existing webpage to get you to submit personal information such as your credit card or bank account numbers. It is what is known as a Phishing expedition and works as follows. First the bogus website is created and then spoof E-Mail messages are sent out based on a list of maliciously acquired email accounts posing as legitimate to the recipient. The Phisher then lures the unsuspecting victim into visiting the webpage and send in their personal information and the rest is history.

An example would be like the one I posted some time ago where the Microsoft site itself was attached. When I did a Google search for an SMS topic and attempted to go to Microsoft.Com/Smserver I was redirected to Thesource.Ofallevil.Com/Smserver.

There is not much you can do alone to stop or prevent Spam but I did find a site worth investigating when it comes to reporting spam such as Spoofing or Phishing scams in the MillersSmiles website.

In February 2004 MillerSmiles.Co.Uk launched the world's first scam alert service using an RSS news feed. At last count they had 3838 scams in their archive.

They describe themselves as: “We are one of the internet's leading anti-phishing sites, maintaining a massive archive of phishing and identity theft email scams.”

You can visit them at MillerSmiles.Co.Uk or you can use their service and forward your Spam to them at: spoof@millersmiles.co.uk

Big Governments And Small Brains

The Dumb laws webpage is where you can find old laws that have never been repealed and are still a matter or public record. For example did you know that in some states these laws are still on the books and can be enforced?

* It is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time.

* If someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your commode, you must let them enter.

* One may only throw a stone at a bird in self-defense.

* It is against the law for a man to knit during the fishing season.

* A rooster must step back three hundred feet from any residence if he wishes to crow.

Click on the State if you live in the United States and see the dumb laws for your state that are still on the books. If you do not live in the United States there is an International page as well.

Also check out the "Dumb Network" to see the Dumb Auctions, Bumpers, Criminals, Facts, Flash Games, Inventions Laws, Lawsuits, Photos, Quotes and Dumb Warnings web pages.