westy

Hi - During the Hols it appears quite a few of our staff's passwords have expired and having issues with vpn/owa due to the according to the group policy password stuff I have set. This is a) my fault for setting the password expiration to fall in the christmas break and b) their fault for ignoring the warnings that their passwords were going to before the hols... Hey ho.. Now I can get over the problem quite simply by setting the "Password Never Expires" tick box on the user properties as this overrides any group policy setting. This then allows them to get into their account with their previously expired password. Fantastic. Run a quick script and temporarily set this for all the users. So the scenario is :- 1) Password has expired after x days. 2) I then tick the "Password never Expires" on the user properties so they can login with their expired password. 3) They login and off normally for say 5 days. 4) I then untick the "Password never expires". (for security reasons!) 5) ..Then what happens to the previously expired password?!? Does the old password just get a new lease of life, perhaps triggered by a login? Or can the expiry day count be rejigged somehow? Of course I can setup a test, with a test policy, user etc. But am lazy and just wondered on the off chance if anyone knew? Thanks, Andrew

Hi, I am having one of those "it's a problem at your end, not ours" issues, with a electronic payment service provider. We are experiencing intermittant problems when a transaction is made from our shop till. The traffic concerned is tiny and runs over port 443, from the till to their servers. In order to PROVE the point that is not our net connection, service provider or anything at all on my side of the fence, I have carried out a plethora of TRACERT tests at different time intervals directly to the ip address of the server the till is hitting. Whilst generally every tracert is fine, I would say that 1 about every 8 or so comes back on the 9th hop with this (main details removed obviously):- 9 * 8 ms 8 ms the.server.I.am.connecting.to.net [123.456.789.101] Sometimes I get two *'s. It does actually complete the trace, but those * (from when I went to networking school) indicate packet loss and should not be be happening. It is always the same host affected. Now as far as I am concerned, this is quite clear in black and white that packet loss is being suffered fairly frequently albeit intermittantly and that this would be my smoking gun and the cause of the troubles we are having. Before I go all gun-ho and pointing fingers however, I just would appreciate others opinion as to whether this indicative packet loss shown would be enough to cause lag or even fail the data transaction. The trace does actually complete, however, so I guess it is a question of how robust the receiving end is to receiving traffic that has had the packet loss? This is where I get on to slightly grey ground. Most appreciative of any thoughts or opinions on this. It is a a bit of a David vs Goliath situation, in that they just don't believe their almighty systems could be the cause! Thanks, Andrew

Thanks for this, as mentioned, I fully intend to put bits and pieces in place (MAC address logging etc) and change the IP schema's in the future but only just started here, so have inherited a rather..hobbyist setup network. Unfortunately, to make this schema change would require downtime and all clients restarted (DHCP environment) so not really a "short term" option.

Hiya - Ok here is the scenario. It appears a laptop has returned at the start of this term having had a static IP address manually configured (presumably an enthusiastic family member setting it up on a home network), which just so happens to be one of our servers IP address and is therefore causing havoc. I appreciate steps should be in place to prevent such a scenario, namely even the local administrator should be locked from changing IP setting to anything other than DHCP, but in the short term, does anyone have any suggestions of actively finding the culprits hostname perhaps? I have tried temporarily changing the server IP to something else to let the rogue machine take the IP address and then seeing if I can ping/browse/poke/port scan it etc. but pesky local client firewall is blocking any thing like that. Short of mass email saying "If you have a IP address conflict" message please come and see me to everyone I am a bit stumped. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Andrew

Hi, I am looking at making it as easy as possible for users to be able to create webdav links in their "my network places" when they are own their machines at home. Effectively I want to remove the step for using the "add a network place wizard" and use a script to automatically create the links to the webdav folders we publish. I don't really claim to know much about scripting but get the concepts. So far my googling has come across this lovely little script which I attach below. What I would like to add to this however, is a prompt for the user to enter their username. This username will then be added to the bit at the end so :- CreateNetworkFolder "https://files.myserver.com/Home/<>", "School Home Area" This should then quite simply create the individual share link. Hope this makes sense, and thanks in advance for any help! Andrew (P.S. Thanks and reference to the site where I swiped this code Re: map web folder) CODE *************************************************************************** Create Network Folder 'This is a fix to the original, which I found did not handle URLs 'longer than 44 characters. Option Explicit Sub CreateNetworkFolder(siteURL, siteName) Dim iRes, jRes, MT, TT Dim SH, newPath Dim objFso, f, fs, g Dim bString Dim ltrIndex Dim nameLength, urlLength, urlCutoff Dim aFile 'ForWriting (2) is the attribute to be set when writing to a file. Const ForWriting = 2 nameLength = Len(siteName) urlLength = Len(siteURL) '44 seems to be the length where we have to change a 00 to a 01. urlCutoff = 44 MT = "OK to create a My Network Places " & vbCr & "folder for " & siteURL & vbCr & "named " & siteName & "?" TT = "My Network Places" iRes = MsgBox(MT, vbOKCancel + vbInformation, TT ) Set objFso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") If iRes = vbCancel Then WScript.Quit End If Set SH = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") 'Create the folder under NetHood that will hold the target.lnk file newPath = SH.SpecialFolders("NetHood") & "\" & siteName If (objFso.FolderExists(newPath)) Then WScript.Echo "A Network Place with that name already exists." WScript.Quit End If objFso.CreateFolder(newPath) 'We ceate a Desktop.ini file Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") aFile = newPath & "\Desktop.ini" Set f = fs.OpenTextFile( aFile, ForWriting, True ) 'Write the data lines that will make this a folder shortcut. f.WriteLine "[.ShellClassInfo]" f.WriteLine "CLSID2={0AFACED1-E828-11D1-9187-B532F1E9575D}" f.WriteLine "Flags=2" f.WriteLine "ConfirmFileOp=0" f.Close 'We make Desktop.ini a system-hidden file by assigning it attribute of 6 Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") Set g = fs.GetFile(newPath & "\Desktop.ini") g.Attributes = 6 'We make the folder read-only by assigning it 1. Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") Set g = fs.GetFolder(newPath) g.Attributes = 1 'This is where we construct the target.lnk file byte by byte. Most of 'the lines are shown in 16 byte chunks, 'mostly because that is the way I saw it in the Debug utility I was 'using to inspect shortcut files. 'Line 1, 16 bytes bString = Chr(&H4C) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H01) & Chr(&H14) & Chr(&H02) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&HC0) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 2, 16 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H46) & Chr(&H81) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 3, 16 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 4., 16 bytes. 13th byte is significant. bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H01) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 5. 13th byte is significant. bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'When I was analyzing the next byte of shortcuts I created, I found 'that it is set to various values, 'and I have no idea what they are referring to. In desperation I tried 'substituting some values. '00 caused a crash of Explorer. FF seeems to work fine for all. 'If anyone can get back to me on what this byte is or why FF works, 'please contact me. bString = bString & Chr(&HFF) 'This byte is 00 if the URL is 44 characters or less, 01 if greater. If urlLength > urlCutoff Then bString = bString & Chr(&H01) Else bString = bString & Chr(&H00) End If bString = bString & Chr(&H14) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 6, 16 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H1F) & Chr(&H50) & Chr(&HE0) & Chr(&H4F) & Chr(&HD0) & Chr(&H20) & Chr(&HEA) & Chr(&H3A) & Chr(&H69) & Chr(&H10) & Chr(&HA2) & Chr(&HD8) & Chr(&H08) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H2B) & Chr(&H30) 'Line 7, 16 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H30) & Chr(&H9D) & Chr(&H14) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H2E) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&HDF) & Chr(&HEA) & Chr(&HBD) & Chr(&H65) & Chr(&HC2) & Chr(&HD0) & Chr(&H11) & Chr(&HBC) & Chr(&HED) 'Line 8, 16 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&HA0) & Chr(&HC9) & Chr(&H0A) & Chr(&HB5) & Chr(&H0F) & Chr(&HA4) 'This byte is 00 if the URL is 44 characters or less, 01 if greater. If urlLength > urlCutoff Then bString = bString & Chr(&H01) Else bString = bString & Chr(&H00) End If bString = bString & Chr(&H4C) & Chr(&H50) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H01) & Chr(&H42) & Chr(&H57) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 9, 16 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H10) & Chr(&H00) 'Line 10, 2 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'The next byte represents the length of the site name. bString = bString & Chr(nameLength) 'Take the site name, and write each letter, preceeded by a "00" 'character. For ltrIndex = 1 to nameLength bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Mid(siteName, ltrIndex, 1) Next 'Middle line, separates the Folder Name from the URL. 3 bytes. bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'The next byte represents the length of the site URL. bString = bString & Chr(urlLength) 'Take the site URL, and write each letter, preceeded by a "00" 'character. For ltrIndex = 1 to urlLength bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Mid(siteURL, ltrIndex, 1) Next 'Last line, 13 bytes bString = bString & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) & Chr(&H00) 'Let's create the target.lnk file. Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") aFile = newPath & "\target.lnk" 'aFile = newPath & "\vb.sss" Set f = fs.OpenTextFile(aFile, ForWriting, True) f.Write bString f.Close MT = siteName & " created." jRes = MsgBox(MT, vbOK, TT ) End Sub CreateNetworkFolder "https://files.myserver.com/Home/***********", "School Home Area" CODE END ****************************************************************************

Software for print quota and print control management. Your print accounting and monitoring solution - PaperCut Truly outstanding and cheap! Used it for years.. Thanks, Andrew

Hi, I want to give my staff a training resource. To clarify, I personally see no benefit in sending them off on a weeks course etc. But just want them to be able munch their way through some online training videos. I am not interested in examinations or tests, but I do want to be able to say, ok, nip on to the training website and spend a couple of hours brushing up on configuring Windows 2008 R2. My googling has led me to a couple of services :- e-Learning | Online Computer Training | Online Training Videos | CBT Courses | Computer Based Training Courses ITDVDS.COM Computer Based Training Videos, Windows 2008, Citrix, Security, CRM I like the idea of paying a yearly subscription based service, with constantly updated content. Doesn't HAVE to be online streaming, would consider purchasing stuff that comes on DVD or you download etc. Topics :- Server OS, VMWare, SQL Server, Exchange, Windows 7, Wireless. Most back office stuff.. Also a minor point, it would great if it was British rather than American. No offence to any Americans out there, but my staff have suggested they would prefer "S" "Q" "L" Server, rather than "Seeequell"..If you get what I mean. My guess is they will have to compromise on this though. Any ideas, help, advice greatly appreciated! Thanks, Andrew

Hiya - I am sure like many of you, I have ended up collecting a plethora of little docs, hints, tips, etc. Regarding the general support of the network I manage. I am talking about local type info stuff here like lists of ip addresses, or what shares should be in place on a particular server, what ports that bizarre bit of geography software needs to punch through the firewall etc. At the moment this info is kinda either on email, outlook task list, docs, in my head, on paper etc. And I was having a bit of a think this afternoon (after I couldnt remember something!) that it would good for all these little snippets of info to be a bit more central and organised. Maybe like a wiki of some sort? I am on the "don't like" camp of electronic helpdesk systems (not a debate I want to get into), but admit would maybe cover this... Just wondered what others did. I guess it is more to assist with a) sharing info between my team and b) reducing reliability on it all being on me. It's gotta be quick and easy to implement though. I don't want start information systems development techniques and have to learn a new programming language. Don't mind paying for it either, if it is good enough. Your thoughts boys and girls? Thanks, Andrew

Gosh these are even better! Huge list of Windows 7 Shell Commands | OS Attack

Hi, Just doing some Windows 7 testing and came across these which I find really handy, so thought I would share! These are shortcuts that invoke the various different wizards, control panels etc. Just create shortcuts or invoke from the search/run box in the start menu. Thanks, Andrew Add/Remove Programs RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl,,0 Content Advisor RunDll32.exe msrating.dll,RatingSetupUI Control Panel RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL Delete Temporary Internet Files:RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8 Delete Cookies: RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2 Delete History: RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 1 Delete Form Data: RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 16 Delete Passwords: RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 32 Delete All:RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 255 Delete All + files and settings stored by Add-ons: RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 4351 Date and Time Properties RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL timedate.cpl Display Settings RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL access.cpl,,3 Device Manager RunDll32.exe devmgr.dll DeviceManager_Execute Folder Options - General RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 0 Folder Options - File Types RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_Options 2 Folder Options - Search RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 2 Folder Options - View RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 7 Forgotten Password Wizard RunDll32.exe keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW Hibernate RunDll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState Internet Explorer’s Internet Properties dialog box. Rundll32 Shell32.dll,ConBring up trol_RunDLL Inetcpl.cpl,,6 Keyboard Properties RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @1 Lock Screen RunDll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation Mouse Button - Swap left button to function as right Rundll32 User32.dll,SwapMouseButton Mouse Properties Dialog Box Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @0,0 Map Network Drive Wizard Rundll32 Shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL Connect Network Connections RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL ncpa.cpl Organize IE Favourites Rundll32.exe shdocvw.dll,DoOrganizeFavDlg Open With Dialog Box Rundll32 Shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL Any_File-name.ext Printer User Interface Rundll32 Printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /? Printer Management Folder. Rundll32 Shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL PrintersFolder Power Options RunDll32.exe Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl Process Idle Tasks rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks Regional and Language Options Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL Intl.cpl,,0 Stored Usernames and Passwords RunDll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr Safely Remove Hardware Dialog Box Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL HotPlug.dll Sound Properties Dialog Box Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL Mmsys.cpl,,0 System Properties Box Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL Sysdm.cpl,,3 System Properties - Advanced RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,4 System Properties: Automatic Updates RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl,,5 Taskbar Properties RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Options_RunDLL 1 User Accounts RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL nusrmgr.cpl Unplug/Eject Hardware RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll Windows Security Center RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL wscui.cpl Windows - About RunDll32.exe SHELL32.DLL,ShellAboutW Windows Fonts Installation Folder Rundll32 Shell32.dll,SHHelpShortcuts_RunDLL FontsFolder Windows Firewall RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL firewall.cpl Wireless Network Setup RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL NetSetup.cpl,@0,WNSW

Deployed WSUS when I first joined here and realised the clients were not up to date with patching. Just be aware if you have a similar situation with lots of clients on a wireless network that are well out of date when it comes to updates, they "may" get some serious delays on startup/shutdown/login/logout. I wrote an email before deploy below which may help you. Thanks, Andrew Dear All, It has come to my attention that many of the computers require various patches and security fixes that have been released by Microsoft. These are installed via the “Windows Update” functionality of Windows, which I am sure many of you are familiar with. These must be installed on computers for all sorts of reasons but primarily to ensure the security and safety of the network. I have therefore set things up in such a way that these will install automatically in the background on all computers across the school as required. If updates are required by your computer, you will notice a small yellow shield icon appear in the bottom right hand corner, near the time display on your desktop. I would urge you to simply ignore this and carry on using your computer as normal. When you next shut down your computer from the start menu, they will then install. If you decide to click on the yellow shield and manually install these updates, please be aware that this will likely prompt you to restart your computer and may temporarily adversely affect applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Word etc. that you are running. I would therefore strongly discourage you from doing this to avoid problems. Whilst I know it can often be convenient to leave computers logged in and locked rather than turning them off in the evenings, could I kindly ask that you avoid this and shut them down fully. This ensures that the login and logoff process take place, providing essential bits and bobs to help keep the computers up to date and running properly. Plus of course, you will be doing your bit to help the environment! Our testing has shown that no major issues will arise from these updates being pushed out, but l have no doubt that little niggles will occur! I apologise in advance for the inconvenience these may cause but please be assured that we are actively monitoring the network and will do everything possible to minimise any disruption. If you have any problems, questions or are unsure of anything at all, please do contact

Correct. The concern related to a point close a dormitory!

Hi, We have dealt with a parent query about this. The World health organisation is a great resource. Here is a good place to start :- WHO | Electromagnetic fields and public health Bottom line I believe, is using a microwave for 2 mins exposes you to more radiation than a network point would for x months or something like that. So there is more chance of them growing 6 toes from warming up your baked beans than accessing the web. We of course compromised and our AP's shut down over night. Thanks, Andrew

Grateful for a wave invite too please! Kind Regards

Thanks for all your help! Most appreciated. Andrew

Thanks - I was after something a bit more portable to be honest though. Perhaps some sort of hand held media device with TV-out. My search continues! Andrew

Hi, Had an interesting request from a department. They want a card reader with a TV-Out so they can just take a card from a digital camera and pop it in said device which is connected to a LCD and slideshow the pics. Just wondered if anyone had seen anything like this? I could just say, use the camera, but a generic device would be much better and less hassle. Closest solution I can come up with would be a digital photo frame with card slots and a TV-Out, but that's a bit of an ugly compromise. I know newer TV's these days have them built in, but couldn't quite justify a new TV just for that purpose! Any ideas? Thanks, Andrew

Good Morning, I wondered if anyone can recommend a high end AV installer in Berkshire? It is for a high spec install in our conference room. When I say high spec, I mean it will be fitted into solid wood panelling, be exceptionally good quality hardware and needs to have an immaculate finish. Sticky back surface trunking installers and joining cables with a bit of insulating tape need not apply, if you get my jist! Of course plenty in the Yellow Pages, but would be great to get a recommendation. Thanks, Andrew