Paul Clement - Notes from the Field

I've often wondered why Vista never seemed to work very well when banging in a UNC share at the Run box; it always seemed to be hit and miss.   Server 2008 suffers from this also.

It seems there is now a hotfix for this problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=958970

Quite honestly, it never occurred to me to be a Vista problem, I assumed it was a network issue but couldn't really narrow it down.  I was just living with it.

After applying this hotfix and rebooting you can now resolve UNC (SMB) shares lightning fast (just like in XP) and the way it should be.

This hotfix is included with SP2 when it arrives.

Hi all,

I ran across this little gem just a few minutes ago.  For those of you who have used (or still use) Linux and love the multiple desktop applet and wished it was available for Windows - wish no more.

Our friends in Redmond, Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell (Sysinternals) have been at it again and created a new applet called Desktops v1.0.

You can find it here:  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc817881.aspx

It runs much the same way as the Virtual Desktops in Linux does, and it's small and lightweight.

Nice job gentlemen!

Enjoy!

Paul

Shown is the Fredericton Society of St. Andrews Pipe Band.  This Band is out of my small city here in New Brunswick, Canada.

My Uncle was a drummer in the 48th Highlanders, which is what draws me to this.

Enjoy!

I have been asked many questions relating to why Server 2008 networking doesn't work when the proper drivers are loaded up for the wireless card.  The answer is simple, once you've become accustomed to working with this new OS.

By default, Server 2008 in it's many versions installs with virtually nothing we're used to seeing in past OS builds enabled.

To enable Server 2008 to work with your Wireless network card it is necessary to first install the necessary back-end services that bring this all together.

From within Server Manager, scroll down to the Features Summary section.  Now select the link for Add Features.  In the next window, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the list of features and check the box for Wireless LAN Service.  Click Next, then click Install.  Close the applet when you're done.

Install the latest drivers - if you can find 2008 drivers that's the best case scenario, otherwise, Vista drivers *should* work.  Your mileage may vary!

Enjoy your Wireless World!

Paul

In Server 2008 there are new Preference nodes in Group Policy that allow more elements to be controlled by a GPO rather than using a script to set them.  The client-side extensions to make all this possible can be found here:

•Windows Vista, 64-bit edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B10A7AF4-8BEE-4ADC-8BBE-9949DF77A3CF

•Windows Vista, 32-bit edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AB60DC87-884C-46D5-82CD-F3C299DAC7CC

•Windows Server 2003, 64-bit edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=29E83503-7686-49F3-B42D-8E5ED23D5D79

•Windows Server 2003, 32-bit edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=BFE775F9-5C34-44D0-8A94-44E47DB35ADD

•Windows XP, 64-bit edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=249C1AED-C1F1-4A0B-872E-EF0A32170625

•Windows XP, 32-bit edition

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E60B5C8F-D7DC-4B27-A261-247CE3F6C4F8

To control/configure these settings in the Group Policy Editor you must be running either Server 2008 or Vista SP1 with the RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) installed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOLLOWS!

These Preference settings have a dotted Red line under each field that is configurable within the policy.  In order to use these fields so that your changes stay as you set them you must use one of four function keys to change the Red dotted line to a Solid Green line (which activates the field).  Making setting changes in any field without activating it results in the preference being reverted to the original setting.

Function Keys and their results:

F5 - all settings activated (solid green line) on the active tab.
F6 - a single setting change from dotted red to solid green (from disabled to active).
F7 - a single setting change from solid green to red dotted (from active to disabled).
F8 - all settings deactivated (red dotted line) on the active tab.

Once the field has been activated and changed to your requirement, you can Apply it or simply press OK to commit the change.  As with any Group Policy change, the client will apply it upon next policy refresh interval, a gpupdate /force is run or after the next reboot - it's important to remember that some settings don't apply until a reboot is performed.

Many thanks to Mark Heitbrink for the Function Key information!

Have fun with your new Preferences!

Paul

Well, I broke down while in Seattle and visited the local Fry's on Thursday night.  It never ceases to amaze me how much stuff these stores have.

I went there with a specific purpose - to pick up a Linksys WRE54G - Range Extender.  We have some spots in the house that have little or no connectivity to the wireless network and I intended on changing all that with this device.

I did the obligitory Search on the Internet to find out all about these devices - since I already own a Linksys Wireless Router, I figured I should try to match components to make life a little simpler during the installation.

Many articles on the Net pretty much say the same thing - the CD install is useless.  I never even opened the CD since I figured I know enough about networking to figure this out on my own.

The installation took a bit of thinking, but is rather simple when you stop long enough to actually think it through.  I've outlined the steps below since it seems there really is no "complete" How-To that I could find.

This is for the WRE54G v3 model - I cannot be certain this procedure will work with firmware that doesn't have WPA support (although the principle should be the same for WEP).

Prepare to work within range of the router.  This means you need AC power within reach of the WRE54G when connected to the computer via patch cord.

Step One:  Connect to the webpage (Management Page) of your Router.  Turn OFF any encryption you are using from within this interface - if you're in love with the WEP key you use, copy it into Notepad to reuse.  This will now require changing the settings on your laptop wireless card to continue with the configuration and allow you to connect back to your router again.  Copy down the SSID and any Encryption Keys (WEP or WPA) that you have on the router - if using PSK-TKP or AES then also copy down the key renewal period.

Step Two:  Plug in the WRE54G to power - this assumes you have slid into place one of the AC connectors provided in the box.  Connect the laptop's NIC using the provided patch cord to the connector on the WRE54G (under the little access door below the antenna).  Manually configure the IP address on the wired NIC to 192.168.1.200/24 with no gateway.  TIP:  I found it necessary to disable the wireless NIC in the laptop temporarily during the configuration of this unit to avoid routing issues.

Step Three:  Open the Run box on your computer and type, "iexplore 192.168.1.240" and press Enter (or hit ENTER).  Internet Explorer should open to the Management Webpage of the WRE54G with a prompt for Username and Password.  Leave the Username field blank and enter "admin" for the password.  Press OK or hit Enter.

Step Four:  DO NOT SAVE CHANGES UNTIL INSTRUCTED!!  Change the IP address of WRE54G to be one address higher than your router, make the subnet mask the same as the router and make the gateway address the IP address of your router (example: 192.168.1.1).  Example:  If your router is 192.168.1.1 then make the extender 192.168.1.2.  Change the SSID to match the router's SSID.  Press the Edit Security Settings button.  Select the Security mode from the dropdown that you are using (or want to use) on the router.  Choose the key or algorithim you will use on the router.  Enter the key or PSK you are using.  If using WPA make sure the key renewal period is the same as the router's.  Select Save Settings.  You *should* end up back on the IP configuration page if all went well.  Here, double check the initial settings from the beginning of this step to ensure they haven't reverted back to the factory settings.  If they did, change them to your required settings once again and select the Save Settings button.  If they still remain as you set them, carry on and Save Settings.

Step Five:  Both LEDs on the WRE54G should now be BLUE if all is well.  If you changed the network from 192.168.1.x to another subnet then it will be necessary to re-IP the wired NIC on the computer to the correct network so you can reconnect to the Extender.  Reconnect to the Management Webpage of the WRE54G.  After logging in using the default password the first page should show you near the bottom a Link Status with a MAC address.  If it's all dashes, the Extender isn't connected to the router.  Re-check the steps above before continuing.  If you have a MAC listed, then select the Password link (beside the Basic Setup link in the navigation bar).  Change the default password and Save Settings.

Step Six:  Disconnect the wired NIC from the WRE54G and turn on your wireless NIC.  Reconnect to the ROUTER with either wireless or a patch cable - remember there is no Security enabled so your original Security settings on the wireless NIC need to be set to NONE.  TIP:  If you see 2 matching SSIDs when you choose to Connect to Network in the Wireless configuration utility then you're getting close!  Re-enable your Security on the Router.  Make certain that you match the settings you made on the WRE54G earlier.  Reset your wireless NIC's security to match whatever method and key you are using on the router (and WRE54G).  TIP:  If you now only see one SSID for the wireless network then it should be setup correctly.

You're done.

Move the WRE54G to the location you want to boost the signal and plug it into the AC recepticle.  If both LEDs become solid Blue, then you're good to go - if not, you may not have connection back to the router from this location, so try another location. 

Happy Wireless Extending!!!

Cheers,

Paul

For those enrolled in the Windows Beta Program through Connect, the bits are now available.

Happy Bug Hunting!

Well, it's been awhile since I made any noise here.  I've been busy with the house and preparing for our second child on Monday, July 16th.

I have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow - it a scheduled section, so we know it's a done deal.  It's been almost 5 years since the birth of our first child in 2002 and I'm a bit older now.  I can't say for sure how I'm going to manage since things are already pretty hectic.  I guess I'll just have to.

 I'll be checking in once in awhile to keep my sanity, but I'll be a bit sleep deprived come tomorrow so be gentle!

 Wish me luck!

 I'll post a link to some photos for anyone interested.

Cheers,

Paul

I normally don't get excited about things too easily.  When you've been in this industry as long as I have nothing comes as a surprise.  That changed slightly today.

Initially, Toshiba posted a document on their site with Vista Ready models that included a number of 2 year old and newer equipment.  Today I find out differently.

 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934559/en-us

 ...and from Microsoft, no less.

 What was Toshiba thinking?  If their own people can't get it right, how on earth are end-users supposed to figure it out - and at what cost?

I'm starting to think that Vista isn't all it's hyped up to be.  It especially hurts when top-of-the-line hardware bought at a premium price only 2 years ago isn't up to the challenge.

I think Microsoft needs to redress the requirements or work more closely with vendors to clear up the confusion and the backlog of driver development before Vista turns into another Windows ME.

Almost unacceptable.....

Paul

Vista now has some new Updates AND two (count em, 2!) Ultimate Extras for download.  Checked tonight at 9pm local and there they are!

KB930857 - Important - Issue with Windows Error Reporting.

KB929735 - Optional - Issue with incomplete results in Windows Search.

KB928089 - Recommended - Issue with IE Phishing Filter performance.

KB929427 - Recommended - Issue Known application Compatibilities.

KB931573 - Recommended - Issue WPA reactivation on OEM preinstalls.

The IE Phishing Filter doesn't appear to have sped things up any.  I still get huge delays in IE7 on Vista opening http://www.msfn.org (not so with FF).

 The Ultimate Extras now include BitLocker and EFS Enhancements and Hold Em Poker.

KB articles don't yet appear to be live.

Well, as referenced in my first (previous) blog I had upgraded my hard drive in my Toshiba M30 laptop in preparation for a clean Vista Ultimate installation.

I purchased a Seagate Momentus 5400.3 160GB Ultra ATA/100 5400rpm drive (ST9160821A) to replace my Toshiba 80GB 4200rpm drive.  I searched around to see if anyone had any feedback on these larger drives installed in laptops to see whether there was anything to be concerned about.  Since I was certain this was something I wanted to do, I just wanted to make sure there weren't any "gotchas" that would make my new drive an expensive paperweight.

I picked it up online at NCIX as they had the best price and shipping charges I could find at that time at a place that had stock - it was just a tad over $200, plus about $9 to ship.

I zipped up and copied off all the data I was expecting to use from the old 80GB drive then proceeded to remove it.  I removed the cage from the old drive and installed in on the new drive.  It was a matter of about 10 minutes and the new drive was installed.

I powered up the laptop and inserted the Vista DVD.  The laptop booted up to the DVD without issue. 

During the installation of Vista, at the point where you are to choose the partition, I was greeted with unpartitioned space of 128GB.  Not exactly what I had hoped for, but acceptable given the circumstances.  The laptop BIOS doesn't support 48-bit LBA and therefore I was limited to between 128GB and 137GB depending on the hard drive controller.  The next largest drive from Seagate for a laptop in 5400rpm or 7200rpm is only 100GB and I wanted more space - so the 32GB I am missing is still 28GB more than the next available size that is smaller.  Besides, at some point there *should* be a BIOS upgrade - either vendor or third-party that should give me back my 32GB.  If and when this happens, I'll need to image it, update the BIOS and re-image it back to it's former glory.

I sent Seagate's Support people an email asking about their DiscWizard software which installs a Dynamic Drive Overlay onto the drive that should allow the BIOS to see the full size of the drive.  Since I had read stories about Vista overwriting the DDO on drives, I wanted to make sure I wasn't testing a theory only to fail at my expense.  Their reply was that DDO wasn't tested against Vista yet AND it wasn't designed for notebook drives.  Kind of makes me glad I never tried it now!  So the answer to DDO on laptop drives is DON'T DO IT.  As far as other drives with Vista as the OS - I still don't know.

Regardless, I now have Vista Ultimate installed on a 128GB drive running Office 2007 - I have to admit, the performance boost just from the RPM difference alone is noticeable - the extra 1200rpm is certainly an improvement.

The really nice thing about this drive is that it's quiet - so quiet, in fact, that I have a hard time knowing it's spinning.  When I first turned the laptop on after it was installed I couldn't hear it at all.  I originally thought it didn't power up, but when Vista saw the unpartitioned space I had a big sigh of relief.  Even under load from AV scanning or defragging it's very tough to know it's doing anything and if it wasn't for the LED I would still be wondering.  :o)

My advice to those Power Users that are looking to upgrade their drive - BUY THIS DRIVE !!  You won't regret it.

Cheers,

Paul