THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS "DIVA" : News

Celebrating the new year

bradley — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:45:00 GMT

We did our annual new year's pilgrimage to Disneyland and ushered in the New Year with a bit of holiday lights and snow on Main street.

What does the new year bring?

bradley — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:48:00 GMT

New year, new ideas, new options

http://davidoverton.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2009/12/31/server-line-up-for-small-businesses-and-home-is-increasing-in-options-or-complexity-for-some.aspx

http://supportweb.ciaops.net.au/blog/archive/2010/01/01/two-more-points.aspx

Take a look at these two posts about thinking about on premises versus cloud apps. Take a look at the info and think about what 2010 will bring for you.

TSGateway and domain credentials

bradley — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:13:00 GMT

One of my users that has XP as a remote machine was saying that they couldn't log into RWW. They would get to the TS Gateway and enter in the information and it would say that they were getting a bad password. So I fired up a virtual XP to see if I could walk through the screens to see what they were hitting.

And I see the problem. XP's do the log in one way, Vista/Win7's do the log ins differently.

On a XP machine when it gets to that TSgateway screen it does not enter in the DOMAIN\username like it automatically does in Vista and Windows 7.

So if your XP users are complaining that they can't log in and get a bad password, what happens is without the DOMAIN\username they end up on the local account on the box, not the domain account. And of course, the password for the local account is not the same.

So in that screen make sure your XP folks know to type in DOMAIN\username. I've typed up instructions for folks that access the firm remotely but apparently I missed that instruction.

Consumer Electronics Show

bradley — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:23:00 GMT

Microsoft at International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2010 Virtual Pressroom:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/

As we close out the old year, the new year and the Consumer Electronics Show is right around the corner.

For whatever reason I didn't realize it was next week. We'll see what press comes out of next week. Looks like Apple is planning an event at the end of the month and bypassing CES.

So I'm closing out the year still without access to the MVLS web site

bradley — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:46:00 GMT

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/Registration.aspx

So I'm closing out the year still without access to the MVLS web site and I know from others posting that they are in the same condition.

Granted OEM software distribution sucks (like we've had two Windows 7 consumerish newly purchased computers arrive and neither one had true media and you had to burn in your own), but you do have the software somewhere.

What this has done for me is question deeply if I want to buy Open Value licenses in the future. The value of Open Value to many is the upgrade, not the benefits of the platform itself.

It's getting harder and harder to justify open value based on the time wasted to try and get access and the real (and not perceived) benefits.

So for all those of you that are still banging your head, keep the faith.

Or try to at least.

Don't forget to flip

bradley — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:02:00 GMT

Just a reminder when setting up a new server don't forget to flip the box. When you go to scan for updates click on that little "Find out more" and flip it over to Microsoft update. This ensures that you will get updates for all of the products on the box not just the operating system.

Now have until June 30th

bradley — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:16:00 GMT

Through June 30, 2010, customers using applications that are not yet 
certified for use on SQL Server 2008 Standard, a copy of SQL Server 2005 
Standard will also be included in SBS 2008 Premium. SQL Server 2008 (or 
2005) Standard can be installed on either server: If you install SQL on 
the first server then you must install the management tools on another 
machine.

SBS 2008 Compare Features:
http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/compare-features.aspx
----------
That used to say December 31, 2009 as the cut off date.  Now it says June 30, 2010.  Thanks to the SBS team
for listening to a request to extend the automatic downgrade rights for SQL.

82 light bulbs in one shot

bradley — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:46:00 GMT

Somehow I think we had a huge failure of three light strands last night on our outside garland.

That is 82 light bulbs that are all burned out.

I get this vision of the garland doing a Griswold flash of light at about 2 am in the morning or something. So now I'm online shopping for for replacement light bulbs. The strings aren't that old but when you have a severe failure of equipment you wonder if you should replace it completely.

If that was a server, I'd be calling the manufacturer and getting replacement parts.

UPS's are not created equal

bradley — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:18:00 GMT

I found that out personally when buying APC 1500 UPS's that look like this -- and found out the hard way that it would not keep the server up. So then we purchased the SMART-UPS, also rated 1500 and that model would keep the server up.

Mind you the normal 1500's were good enough to keep the old server up, but I had to get the SMART-UPS to support the new server.

So keep in mind all UPS's are not alike and spec accordingly.

Using the HP Smart Start turns your Server into a Boeing 747

bradley — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 03:47:00 GMT

So I was repurposing my HP ML 370 G4 from it's old job of being a SBS 2003 to another operating system. And I threw on Windows 2008 64 bit to see if it would load. While the box won't support HyperV (sniff) it may have a few years left to be a spare server duty out of it. My first interesting factoid is that since it's been turned off for two weeks the controller card battery was low (this is why I plan for hardware change outs after five years). The next thing I noted was exactly what is documented in this thread:

http://forums13.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?admit=109447627+1261799137682+28353475&threadId=1385979

Install using the smart start media and after you log into the OS the jet engines (better known as the fans on that sucker) turn on and do not turn off.

Do not use smart start. Set up the array without smart start and install the OS without smart start. Then install HP tools after OS installed

If you let it install ALL of the drivers, the jet engine sound will turn you deaf.

As that thread indicates, run 2003 on it, and it won't sound like a jet engine. Put 2008 with the smart smart and wear ear plugs.

So the moral of this story is.... sometimes you don't want to use that HP smart start media especially when you are putting server operating systems that are not the same "vintage" as the server is.

As I always explain... sometimes you have to make sure you match the kids on the playground to ensure they are the same age to get them to play the nicest together. That's why the vintage G4 + smart start + Windows 2003 plays nice and a G6 (my current model) and smart start and Windows 2008 works the best.

So you got yourself a shiny new Windows 7 computer on Christmas morning?

bradley — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:55:00 GMT

and the first thing you want to install is CCH PFX Engagement 6.0? Doesn't everyone?

(okay so like maybe it's just the beancounters on Christmas morning that are giddy with delight of installing tax and accounting software on Windows 7, but in general this is the best way to install line of business applications, older software, and just in general getting a new box set up)

Step one turn off UAC.

Yes, you heard me, turn off UAC. Turn it off DURING THE TIME YOU ARE INSTALLING SOFTWARE. Not turn it off on your Windows 7 permanently, silly.

I have personally found that if I leave it on during the install of software (especially beancounter stuff) it doesn't quite install right even if I run as administrator and run the application compatibility wizard and all that.

So turn off UAC. You will be prompted to reboot your Windows 7. Then install the SQL 2008 (this is on the Engagement CD) and then install the PFX Engagement 6.0 from the MSI file (not autorun).

Remember Vista and Windows 7 have .net installed already. Once you do that the program will run just fine.

Then go back and move UAC back up (mind you as a Vista veteran I move it all the way to the top but the default is one notch from the top).

Windows 7, CCH, pfx Engagment 6.0

Have a pc that says it has an old version of Trend on it but you don't see it in add/remove?

bradley — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:27:00 GMT

Have a pc that says it has an old version of Trend on it but you don't see it in add/remove?

http://esupport.trendmicro.com/Pages/How-do-I-remove-old-or-new-versions-of-Trend-Micro-products-in-my-comp.aspx

Use that tool to totally remove the antivirus from the registy.

A bit of Scrooge for Christmas

bradley — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:06:00 GMT

One of my favorite movies is the various versions of Christmas Carol. And I've always liked the part where the idea is presented that if you can wish a Merry Christmas to a person that doesn't seem to be that Christmasy then you know you have the Christmas spirit always in your heart.

I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas not to to the employees of Microsoft. They all work very hard, very tirelessly and very passionately. Without them, without the hard work of people like Eric Ligman who is blogging on Christmas eve we'd be in more mess than we are now. It's the employees of Microsoft that I am extremely grateful for. They are the Bob's of this Christmas tale working tirelessly. They have my deep thanks for being there, for fighting the good fights, for doing what they do, many times being the front line person who gets the flack for something. And many times they don't deserve the venting of the frustration that we give them. They are just there to be the ones to hear it.

To all of the employees of Microsoft, my sincere and deep thank you for your tireless work towards helping the customers of Microsoft.

But it's the corporate policy that is the Scrooge I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to.

Microsoft SMB Community Blog : Microsoft Volume License Service Center (VLSC) Update and Partner FAQ:
http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2009/12/24/microsoft-volume-license-service-center-vlsc-update-and-partner-faq.aspx

Between Windows Genuine Advantage, Office Genuine Advantage and now the increased security of the VLSC web site, there are times I wonder if Microsoft the corporation wants customers at all. The manner in which these "enhanced" security measures of the web site have been pushed out just is a bit unreal in terms of customer service. I always felt that Volume licensing was for the big firms to begin with, and I was better served for my firm just going OEM or retail, but this "upgrade" reinforces it even more.

Add to that, as someone said, do we really want to rely on Microsoft as a cloud vendor if they screw this up this badly? When I screw up at my firm, it's my server I'm rebooting on Christmas eve. When these large vendors screw up in the cloud, it has a major impact.

I don't know if some of this is our fault for not paying more attention to the upgrade of the VLSC web site. I personally knew that eOpen was going to be merged with the MVLS/VLSC web site, but I sure don't remember reading anywhere about the "increased" security measures ahead of time so I could make sure I knew BEFORE the upgrade exactly what business email was connected to the site, or contact my softwareone reseller ahead of time rather than bump up against the Christmas holidays when everyone is taking off for vacations.

So to the policies of Microsoft, I want to wish you a Happy Christmas. I am sincere in saying that I hope you understand that in the year 2010 when the company of Microsoft makes changes and upgrades that you understand that communication ahead of time is key to ensuring a successful event.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Sometimes you have to uninstall and reinstall

bradley — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:51:00 GMT

I use a product called policy patrol that adds custom disclaimers to Exchange. And I needed to edit the disclaimer message. No prob, just launch the console. But here was the weird thing it was working fine but I couldn't adjust the disclaimer templates. Weird, they were working last week when I set them up. So I emailed support at Red Earth Software and they emailed me back. Today. Christmas Eve. Wow. Talk about customer support.

So when we ran the repair install I think something got a bit mangled.. as suddenly I got this message:

The Microsoft Exchange Mail Submission Service is currently unable to contact any Hub Transport servers in the local Active Directory site. The servers may be too busy to accept new connections at this time.

Uh. Okay. On a SBS box unless we have backpressure going on, that's a bit impossible for the Mail submission service to not find a hub transport since it's on the SAME server.

It was obvious from other error messages that the Policy patrol and the transport service was fighting and causing issues as in the system log I saw this:

Application popup: EdgeTransport.exe - Fatal Application Exit : EXITING APPLICATION

A little uninstall and reinstall and Exchange is happy and Policy Patrol is happy.

Getting ready to head out from the North pole

bradley — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:44:00 GMT

Official NORAD Santa Tracker:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

It's that time of year when that guy from the North gets a bunch of reindeer together and heads out to make the journey around the world. For those that are sticklers of science, don't look for the red nose of Rudolph, but rather the doppler shifted purple nose as Santa gets up to light speed to make that journey around the world and down all of those chimneys.

Not to be left behind in the social media craze, Santa apparently will be twittering as he's going down those chimneys. He also has a facebook you can 'friend' as well.

And if you are out and about, download the mobile app so you can search for him so you can be asleep before he gets to your area of the world.

HP mini and Windows 7

bradley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:54:00 GMT

Someone in the office bought a new HP mini and wanted windows 7. This model can be upgraded to 3 gigs, but was running XP.

HP Mini 311 1000NR 11 6 Widescreen Netbook Computer With Intel Atom Processor N270 by Office Depot:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/329022/HP-Mini-311-1000NR-11-6/

So not a problem as when you install Win7 (even cleanly) all, (and I mean ALL) of the drivers are available on the HP web site.

Select software and drivers HP Mini 311-1000NR PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English):
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=4062&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=4041554

You end up with a screen that is clearer than the XP system, quite peppy and looks very nice. I had picked up some Win7 Home premiums from that early buy bundle and I'm using these to upgrade these Mini machines as people buy them for their travel/home needs. Installing Microsoft security essentials on them (as they are home machines not business) and they are a nice Xmas present (and much better than the XP looking tired old desktop they shipped with). Not to mention with all of the OEM shipped stuff off the box they actually run faster than when they were XP.

So how's your eOpen/VLSC/MVLS experience?

bradley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:55:00 GMT

So today is Tuesday and I've been locked out of the eOpen/VLSC/MVLS web site since Friday.

You have entered incorrect information and have been locked out of registration as a security measure. Please contact support

When you call 866-230-0560 , the recorded message tells you that due to heavy call volume to call back. If you do hold (and to be fair so far I've not been able to hold for the 45 minutes to hour that seems to be the magical number) those that are calling appear to be getting some help.

http://twitter.com/#search?q=vlsc

Some people can get in, some can't. Some like Steve Wright http://www.bmsnet.co.uk/blog/?p=244 are saying that "and this time was told that the only way to add agreements was by telephoning the VLSC help line and they would add the agreements. When I questioned this they said it was for “security reasons”."

So how's the eOpen/MVLS/VSLC site working for you? (or not?)

Looking for some alternatives to Blackberry sync on SBS 2008?

bradley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:41:00 GMT

Check out two possibilties:

http://www.astrasync.com/ The first is used not only by SBSers but used by folks with the Kerio (www.kerio.com ) mail platform to wirelessly over the air sync calendar/contact info. Another solutions is http://www.notifycorp.com/products/notifysync/index.htm Notifysync.

Blackberry may be belly up today in the USA as far as sending email and receiving them, you probably still have SBSers that love their blackberries. If you don't want to stand up a server just to run one or two Blackberries, check out those alternatives.

How to set the group policy for Windows 7

bradley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:09:00 GMT

http://www.w7forums.com/howto-setup-group-policy-sbs-2008-win7-clients-t3061.html

On a forum someone asked about how to set the group policy setting for Windows 7 clients on a SBS 2008 because they weren't allowing remote desktop or connecting to wsus. My first question would be back to that poster... did you join the computers using http://connect ? Or if this is a migrated box, run the www.sbsbpa.com and ensure that the SBS users are in the Mybusiness organizational unit. By default SBS 2008 has everything it needs to control/patch/allow remote control to Windows 7.

To edit or add group policies (in particular to the firewall settings) it's the Vista firewall policies that control those Windows 7 workstations.

A past post about the default group policy http://www.channelprosmb.com/blog/entry/2580/Group-policy-Defaults-for-SBS-2008/ showcases that it's under the hood and ready to go.

Download details: How to Enable Windows SBS Users to Map Drives Using Remote Web Workplace:

bradley — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:26:00 GMT

Download details: How to Enable Windows SBS Users to Map Drives Using Remote Web Workplace:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e004c074-356f-4af7-abce-3663eafc45bc&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MicrosoftDownloadCenter+%28Microsoft+Download+Center%29#tm

This document written by Microsoft Support Engineer Edwin Joseph describes the process that you should follow to successfully configure Windows Small Business Server 2008 to enable users to use Remote Web Workplace to map drives, print, and use the clipboard.