Shaun Cassells at MyITForum.com

Notepad.exe Tricks

2008-08-28T19:39:00Z

Like most people, I use notepad when I need to put together a script quickly. I never actually looked at the help file for notepad (well, why would you?!?) until I hit the F1 key by accident recently. As a result I found quite a few tricks that notepad provides that I never knew existed. They are turning out to be pretty helpful so I thought I'd share them below:

When editing a file, press the F5 key to insert the system date and time
Change or add headers & footers by selecting file | page setup
Press ctrl-G and enter a line number to go to (VERY useful when debugging VBScript errors)
Note only works when Word Wrap is off
Select view | status bar to display the line/character number as you navigate the file (another beneficial debugging aid)
Note only works when Word Wrap is off

Another tip I found was the ability to maintain a log file with timestamps. This is useful when troubleshooting a problem where you need to record what is happening at specific times:

open notepad
set the first line to be (without the quotes and in uppercase) ".LOG"
press enter and save/close the file
every time you open the file, notepad will automatically insert the system date/time at the end of the file and add a new line where you can begin typing

Source: www.bink.nu

Tip: WinKey shortcuts

2008-08-28T19:37:00Z

Hi all,

I have gotten several requests recently for keyboard shortcuts. Here is a great list of Windows Logo Key (WinKey) combos. My favorites are: WinKey+L, WinKey+E, WinKey+R, WinKey+D. Give them a try.

Shaun

Microsoft Natural Keyboard keys

WinKey or Ctrl+Esc: Start menu
WinKey+R: Run dialog box
WinKey+M: Minimize all
SHIFT+WinKey+M: Undo minimize all
WinKey+F1: Help
WinKey+E: Windows Explorer
WinKey+F: Find files or folders
CTRL+WinKey+F: Find computer
WinKey+D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop - Press second time restores previous state
WinKey+L: Lock Windows
WinKey+U: Userability (Magnifier, Reader, on screen keyboard)
CTRL+WinKey+TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray (use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray)
WinKey+TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons
WinKey+Pause/Break: System Properties dialog box
Application key: Displays a shortcut menu for the selected item
Vista --> WinKey+X : Laptop shortcuts

List of all keyboard shortcuts: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449

or try this one: http://www.seoconsultants.com/windows/keyboard/

Ragnar: Second Leg Midnight Run

2008-08-27T16:04:00Z

Picture this. Your second leg of three. 5 miles at 1 am somewhere in the great state of Wisconsin. The temp has dropped to low 70s, cool to the skin, wearing LED head lamps, tail lights, reflective vest and music pumping into your ears... when you leave the transition into the night following the red light in the distance. Then what comes on your tunes... but Michael Jackson's Thriller. As you listen in the night you change the lyrics...

Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Relays run in search of time
To traverse two great states of mine
And whosoever shall be passed
by the blasting of soles gassed

Must stand and face their teams quell
And sweat inside a singlet’s shell
The sweaty stench is in the air
The funk of a two hundred six mile dare
Two thousand people stride into town
Closing in to the finish down
And though you sprint to the end
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The addiction that is Great River

Symantec Antivirus Client Security Flaw – GRC.Dat is unencrypted clear text

2008-08-25T15:19:00Z

I was poking around the corporate Symantec client when I noticed the GRC.dat files are in easy to read clear text.

They are consumed quickly in a directory where only those with elevated rights can enter. However, the dat file being in clear text means any curious scripter could seriously modify the client. For example, setting up a bunk DAT file to move the host parent server to yours… http://www.jacksontechnical.com/article.htm?id=13

Let your mind wander. Then come back and tell me how you mitigated this vector.

References:

A guide to the Grc.dat file in Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition version 10.x

http://service1.symantec.com/support/ent-security.nsf/docid/2005041910541048?Open&src=tranus_ent_br

Microsoft Application Virtualization (MAV) / SoftGrid and Symantec Altaris SVS clients on the same machine BSOD

2008-08-25T14:52:00Z

It looks like the filter driver in Softgrid cannot deal with SVS on Windows XP SP2. (this may apply to more OSs...?)

1) Softgrid 4.x works fine when installed by itself

2) Altaris SVS works fine when installed by itself

3) Altaris SVS works fine with Softgrid 4.x installed

4) Softgrid 4.x Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) if SVS is installed

Good news is very few people should ever run into this problem.

Solution: Uninstall Softgrid BEFORE you install SVS.

Simple, just wish we could use both on the same computer.

Ragnar Relay: A quick 206.1 mile run with 12 great friends.

2008-08-21T19:53:00Z

Well in less than 24 hours I'm off to run 206.1 miles with 12 soon to be great friends (or enemies by the end)

http://www.ragnarrelay.com/

The course is a nice rolling river run between La Crosse, WI to Minneapolis, MN. Our team, supposedly one of the faster ones, start at noon Friday and we are predicted to finish about 1 pm Saturday... 25 hours straight.

Anyone else up for a quick jog?

Make the MMS 2008 DVD playable off a network share and website

2008-08-15T15:02:00Z

The following are the steps needed to modify your Microsoft Management Summit 2008 DVD playable from a network share or IIS website. Note: the content of the DVD is protected. As such make sure this content is only available to those approved to view the DVD (translation leave me alone DCMA zealots)

Grab your trust (and now dusty) MMS 2008 DVDs (two of them)
Create two network shares somewhere (default rights of read are great)
Copy the entire contents of the DVD to a different share for each disk

Disc 1 is 7.87 gb (dual layer)
Disc 2 is 1.83 gb

Great news, to play off the network, just double click index.html and you are good to go.To make playable via IIS

Right click on My Computer >> Manage
Navigate to Services and Applications >> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager >> Web Sites >> Default Web Site
Locate your network share name (mine is MMS2008)
Right click >> Properties
Documents tab
Add… a default content page
Index.html
click ok

Congrats you can now execute over the intranet via IE.Http://ServerName/ShareName/

Enjoy

Update: to play video you need to install Silverlight. If you don't want to or are not able to you can play the wmv files directly

\\ServerName\ShareName\assets\video\SessionNumber\*.wmv

Update for WebDAV Extension for IIS 7.0 (KB955137)

2008-07-23T18:07:00Z

This update for the Microsoft WebDAV Extension for IIS 7.0 fixes several issues that occur when using the extension.

You can get specific information about this update in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article KB955137

Update for WebDAV Extension for IIS 7.0 (KB955137) (x64)

Update for WebDAV Extension for IIS 7.0 (KB955137) (x86)

How to install ConfigMgr (SCCM) 2007 SP1 and R2 RC (build 6335)

2008-07-10T14:28:00Z

(WARNING!!!) This is incredibly not supported.

(WARNING!!!) This will void your EULA

The EULA states…

“You may not: * work around any technical limitations in this software”.

At your OWN risk! Not supported by Microsoft!

1) Download bits from

a. http://connect.microsoft.com

2) Download Microsoft Orca

a. How to use: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa370557.aspx

b. Download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4377F86D-C913-4B5C-B87E-EF72E5B4E065&displaylang=en

3) Open the ConfigMgr2007R2.msi with Orca

4) Search for Custom Action “CheckForEval” action with a 25019 target

5) Comment out or remove this line

6) Save the MSI

7) Run and enjoy R2 on fully licensed ConfigMgr 2007 SP1

Thanks to Troy Wilch

VBA and VSTA - The Future? Updated

2008-07-09T20:41:00Z

Update: I have just received word back from the Office team. VBA will indeed be supported in Office 14. The Office team does, however, encourage the consideration of managed solutions (VSTO / VSTA) whenever possible, as this is where all new (feature, etc.) development will occur.

VBA and VSTA - The Future?

2008-07-08T18:39:00Z

See Update: http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/scassells/archive/2008/07/09/vba-and-vsta-the-future-updated.aspx

What does this mean? http://vba.summsoft.com/

As of July 1, 2007 Microsoft will no longer offer VBA distribution licenses to new customers. Existing VBA customers will still be able to purchase additional VBA licenses from Summit Software and Microsoft for existing solutions.

Does this mean the next version of office (2010) will no longer support VBA macros?

Looking a little further, I discovered VBA support was removed from MAC Office 2008 because of the PPC to x86 processor change. However, the lead programmer for windows says VBA will be returned to next office revision http://www.schwieb.com/blog/2008/05/13/saying-hello-again-to-visual-basic/

What gets really entertaining was VBA was supposed to be replaced by VSA with .Net 1.0.
VSA was deprecated with .Net 2.0.
Now VSTA 1.0 is available; a new version (VSTA 2.0) is set to release with Visual Studio 2008. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vsx2008/products/bb933739.aspx

My question boils down to this, will VBA still be supported with the next version of Office? If the answer is anything less than a strong yes, should we be looking to start writing in something else like VSTA?

My guess is I am ahead of the curve asking. I hope one of you reading can provide more info.

Thanks!

Upgrading ConfigMgr 2007 RTM to SP1: ADM Template Bug on SP1 CD

2008-06-20T17:10:00Z

Filtering on the GPEdit console will prevent the assignement GPO from displaying.

What you need

Copy of ConfigMgr SP1 source files in expanded folder (SCConfigMgr07_UPD_EN)
GPEdit.msc

Clean up for SP1:

Open up GPEdit.msc
Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates
Right Click Administrative Templates / Add/Remove Templates
If they are previously installed remove the two ADM templates for ConfigMgr.

How to get them installed and displayed:

Open up GPEdit.msc
Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates
Right Click Administrative Templates / Add/Remove Templates
Add the two templates from .\SCConfigMgr07_UPD_EN\TOOLS\ConfigMgrADMTemplates
Go to View / Filtering
Uncheck - Only show policy settings that can be fully managed

Thanks Christoper Stauffer for the filtering suggestion.

Question: I wonder what changed from RTM to SP1

Upgrading ConfigMgr 2007 RTM to SP1: Make sure you update SUP Client Push Package

2008-06-20T16:13:00Z

When you finish your upgrade to SP1 do not forget to navigate to:

In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / <site code> – <site name> / Site Settings / Client Installation Methods
Right-click Software Update Point Client Installation, and click Properties.

As soon as the properties window opens you will be notified that the published version is not the newest. Your choices will be to ignore or to upgrade. Simple, but you have to do it.

Old Version: 4.00.5931.0001

Available Version: 4.00.6221.1000

FL008: Cedar Rapids, IA – Flood 2008

2008-06-18T21:32:00Z

Hey all,

I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa.

National news: CNN

Local news: KCRG

Last week was quite sporting, heavy rain fall, flash floods, levees breaking, road closures, and detours.

Fun Facts:

Flood Stage is 12 feet.
The big flood of 1993 peaked at 19.83 feet.

Also known as the 100 year flood.

Last week Thursday the Cedar River hit 31.18 feet.

This went beyond the city’s 500 year flood plan.

Current water levels according to NOAA

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dvn&gage=cidi4&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1

Good news, my parents were able to evacuate before the water really rose. They look forward to be able to return home this Friday (after 9 days). Not bad for city with water problems like the following pictures. My house is on high ground, however because they closed all roads except for one my daily commute went from 3 miles to just over 30 each way. Felt like I was in the metro area again (one reason I left).

Enjoy the pictures.

This link has a lot of aerial shots: http://www.andrealynnphoto.com/CRflood2008/

Note: I do not work for any of the compaines in these shots

How To: Find the SMS or ConfigMgr NameSpace in WMI

2008-06-06T16:55:00Z

Here is the situation. You need to find the SMS 2003 or ConfigMgr NameSpace in WMI and you don’t have the PowerShell expertise, yet. Easiest way is to use a GUI interface. Namely CIM Studio. CIM = Common Information Model… or framework of how info is stored in WMI.

About CIM Studio

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc181062.aspx

Download CIM Studio

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc181062.aspx

Note: I would recommend book marking CIM studio in IE. Saves time finding it later. Every time you launch CIM studio in IE6 and later you will need to accept the ActiveX object. Bookmark: C:\Program Files\WMI Tools\studio.htm

Question: Where do I look in WMI to find the SMS / SCCM info?

The default when you first open CIM Studio up is root\CIMV2. This is the local machine and CIM version 2.0 is the default location of machine information (think where the SMS_Def.Mof gets its info.) Have fun playing in there, but it is not where you want to be right now.

Question 2: Well that’s great, but how do I connect to a remote machine.. say the ConfigMgr server?

Connect to remote machine

\\<MachineName>\root

Example: \\ShaunWorkstation01\root

Note: do not add a trailing ‘\’ it will error out. WMI syntax is very exacting.

Pass credentials that allow you to have rights. Usually local admin.

The connection string above is a combination of machine and NameSpace.

NameSpace = root in the above example

Question 3: How do I find the NameSpace for the SMS / ConfigMgr information?

Open __SystemClass
Open __Namespace
Click Instances button

One of the many results is: SMS.

Note: SMS is the correct namespace for any version of SMS or ConfigMgr (didn’t change with name change).

Great, now lets connect to the root\SMS name space: \\<server name>\root\SMS

Not a lot of results. Check the Namespaces again, you find:

Inv_Schema
Site_CAP (if this is an upgraded SMS 2003 server)
Site_<sitecode>

So the WMI namespace I really want for SMS or SCCM is:

\\<ServerName>\root\sms\site_<SiteCode>

Example:

\\SMSServer01\root\sms\site_LAB

Fun thought, did you notice how the WMI classes never open in the same order. That just means the information returned is whatever is read first. Interesting.

Okay that is enough for this post. I’ll have another one us shortly about locating the Updates classes in System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1.

Random Thought: KeyPad

2008-06-03T19:24:00Z

Just a random thought, but why is order of numbers on my keyboard's numpad

789

456

123

0 .

And the order of my phone keypad

123

456

789

*0#

Why aren't those in the same order?

Humor: Nerd Test 2.0

2008-06-03T18:41:00Z

Yes I took this test. You should too!

http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nt2.php?nt1

CYA

2008-06-03T14:50:00Z

**disclaimer** The views opinions on this web log are mine alone and do not reflect my employer. Why am I writing this disclaimer? This is a requirement. Plus it is true, I am writing here to help others so they can help me and we can all be better together. Now that I have that out of the way, normal service will resume after the break. Enjoy!

NASA make magnetic fields visible - Great 5 minute video

2008-06-03T14:11:00Z

By far one of the coolest 5 minute video's I've seen in a while. (last link is full video)

The ability to visualize and watch a magnetic field may potentially open new avenues of research. Plus it just looks so very cool.

http://gizmodo.com/5012347/nasa-scientists-make-magnetic-fields-visible-beautiful

or here:

http://www.semiconductorfilms.com/root/Magnetic_Movie/Magnetic.htm

Full movie here

http://www.animateprojects.org/films/by_date/2007/mag_mov

Financial: HSBC Direct running savings promotion of 3.5%

2008-06-03T14:08:00Z

HSBC, the world’s largest bank, online savings account division is running a special until August 15, 2008. The special is 3.5% APY. This is about .5% higher than most of the popular competition.

www.hsbcdirect.com

HSBC Direct, which was rated as the best online bank by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, features no fees and no minimums (though it requires a $1 deposit to open an account). HSBC has traditionally been amongst the leaders in terms of interest rates.

Fedora 9 and Vista Ultimate Running Virtual Machine 2007 in x64 Environment Fails

2008-06-03T13:57:00Z

I have been playing with Linux distribution Fedora 9. However, I cannot get it to install in my Microsoft Virtual Machine 2007 running in x64 Windows Vista Ultimate SP1. The CPU is a dual core socket 939 Opteron on an Nforce4 motherboard.

The error I am recieving is i1586 core does not exist. You better believe it doesn't. See the picture below.

I did find several posts in forums that state older x64 processors would be discovered as x32 virtual environments. What makes it really odd is they suggest running the i386 edition of Fedora 9.

You can get fedora 9 here: http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora.html

You can read about some great virtual machine 2007 fixes here: http://blogs.technet.com/seanearp/archive/2008/05/19/installing-fedora-9-sulphur-in-virtual-pc-2007.aspx

Hopefully, i'll be able to post that the i386 edition works.

Upgrading ConfigMgr 2007 RTM to SP1: Version Numbers

2008-06-02T21:13:00Z

	RTM	SP1
Type	Primary	Primary
Version	4.00.5931.0000	4.00.6221.1000
R2 Installed		No
Build	5931	6221

R2 Installed property is not present in RTM version. I would guess R2 won’t work with RTM.

Note: Translation of Initialisms and Acronyms

RTM

Release To Manufacturing.
This is the initial product launch release before any service packs or add-ons

· ConfigMgr or SCCM

o System Center Configuration Manager 2007

· R2

o Release 2

o Microsoft nomenclature for major product enhancement not including security, hotfixes or patches.

· Initalism

o First characters of words but not pronounced as a word

o ex. FBI

· Acronym

o First characters of words that are pronounced as a word

o ex. SCUBA

Upgrading ConfigMgr 2007 RTM to SP1: WAIK attempts to install on the default OS drive

2008-06-02T18:06:00Z

Background: All programs and server applications are not stored on the OS partition. During the RTM the WAIK was installed on the E drive. During the ConfigMgr 2007 SP1 upgrade process:

WAIK was uninstalled automatically
WAIK was attempted to automatically install using default settings.

When the upgrade attempted to reinstall the WAIK it defaulted installed to the default OS drive. This failed on my server. The WAIK requires 1.25 GB of free space to install. Work Around:

Before attempting to run SP1
Uninstall WAIK via ARP (Add Remove Programs)
Install WAIK via the new copy in:

. \SCConfigMgr07_UPD_EN\SMSSETUP\WAIK\

Run the SCCM SP1 upgrade again