WSSRA

Skype blocks your network adapter [Update]

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:30:51 GMT

Since Skype versions 6.1x and especially 6.2x and now 6.3x many people facing problems with network connections after starting Skype. Even not be able anymore to logon to Skype, because the network connection is blocked.

When you open the status for your network adapter, you can see that there are not any byte received and send anymore. And after a few seconds you get notice that there is no internet connection anymore.

Not enough, you recognize starting IE or Explorer takes time, if you are anyways be able to open them.

Once you terminate Skype everything returns.

It doesn’t matter if you disable UPnP in Skype or you disable using alternative port 80 or 443 to receive incoming calls.

Sometimes it helps for a while if you let the network wizard resolve problems with the network connection. But be aware that the issue returns when you start Skype next time.

If you find event ID 11609 in your event log referencing to your Skype installation, this is related to what I described.

Here are some links if you like to read more about…

https://jira.skype.com/browse/SCW-4113

http://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-desktop-client/Skype-6-3-won-t-run-past-login/td-p/1472382

[Update]

After applying KB2444677 Hotfix, Problem was solved. So it seems it is related with special handle execution on Explorer internals.

[Next Update]

Problem turns back until it was solved for a while. Now thinking about finish with Skype, as this seems ongoing issue when reading community forums.

WLAN–LAN switch not supported under Windows 8

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:16:51 GMT

Maybe you remember setting the WLAN / LAN switch on your notebook BIOS, disables your WLAN adapter when you plug in an Ethernet cable to your NIC and enables the WLAN when it is unplugged.

This feature, even if it is correctly configured in the BIOS of your notebook, it will not work on Windows 8.

Sadly you have to manually switch adapters on or off under Windows 8

Internet Explorer crashes and hangs

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:19:03 GMT

Starting with IE10 installed, I faced lots of crashes and hangs.

Searching for some troubleshooters I found this helpful

http://blogs.technet.com/b/yongrhee/archive/2013/03/31/internet-explorer-crashes-or-hangs.aspx

Hyper-V Virtual Machines SID permission issue

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:00:14 GMT

If you want to move VHD files you have to take care on certain permissions on configuration files and directory rights. Otherwise you will not be able to start your VM.

For more details and how to solve this read this articles.

http://www.virtualizationadmin.com/articles-tutorials/microsoft-hyper-v-articles/storage-management/hyper-v-file-storage-permissions.html

http://architectevangelist.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/hyper-v-virtual-machines-security-group-issue/

Recover Exchange Mailbox Database with SCDPM

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:56:07 GMT

Recently we had to recover Exchange databases and it works like charm and described here.

Before starting process you have to enable to overwrite database in EMC on the database properties.

Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3 released

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:33:28 GMT

This is a mandatory service pack to run Exchange 2013 in the same organization. And mandatory to run Exchange 2010 on Windows Server 2012.

Several other enhancements have been implemented now. So also Internet Explorer 10 is supported to use for Exchange mailbox access.

More details here.

Windows Server Failover Cluster 2012 in Depth

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 07:18:46 GMT

Find here all sessions from Tech-Ed which covers all details about Windows Server Failover Cluster 2012. Every session takes about one hour. But it is worth taking time watching all of the sessions.

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta announced

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:21:01 GMT

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta, a recovery tool that can help you start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to help identify and remove rootkits and other advanced malware. In addition, Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta can be used if you cannot install or start an antivirus solution on your PC, or if the installed solution can’t detect or remove malware on your PC.

If you are interested in this beta, go to Microsoft Connect and join the beta.

Microsoft Exchange PST Capture

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:20:03 GMT

Now it is available. Discover PST files on your network and import it automatically into users mailboxes On-Premise or Exchange Online.

Download here, and be able to stay compliant and follow your achiving and retention rules.

LinkedIn name and picture usage

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:54:54 GMT

I received the following message from a frined and am posting here for your awareness and due consideration.

[…]

Without attracting too much publicity, LinkedIn has updated their privacy conditions recently. Without any action from your side, LinkedIn is now permitted to use your name and picture in any of their advertisements.

Some simple actions to be considered:

Place the cursor on your name at the top right corner of the screen. From the small
pull down menu that appears, select "settings"
Then click "Account" on the left/bottom
In the column next to Account, select the option "Manage Social Advertising"
Finally un-tick the box "LinkedIn may use my name and photo in social advertising"
and Save

How to inform your connections? Simple: Via Inbox>Compose message in Linkedin, you can send a message to 50 connections at once. All who will appreciate being informed.

[…]

Or you forward a link to this blog post

Play Halo 2 on Windows 7

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:39:43 GMT

If you have already installed Halo 2 on your Windows 7 32- or 64-bit and it is not working, go and uninstall it completely. That means also the ‘Games for Windows – LIVE’ runtime which has been installed.

Go and find the current version of ‘Games for Windows – LIVE’ client and install it.

Make sure you have patch MSKB article 976264 and current service pack for Windows 7 installed.

Update your Windows Client Performance Index under
Start/Control Panel/System/Performance Information and Tools/

Now you can install, activate, configure, start and play Halo 2.

Check for Halo 2 update and install it.

Enjoy playing.

NetApp released new SnapManager

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:06:42 GMT

Find new versions with multiple enhancements for download:

SnapManager for SharePoint

SnapManager for SQL

HP Power Assistant causes Drop Outs

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:28:05 GMT

If you using a HP device with HP Power Assistant installed, you can encounter drop outs when playback multimedia files. Even you have the most recent drivers installed for any relevant adapter and turn on highest performance settings on the device.

If you uninstall this software, usually the issue is fixed.

Pay attention when using HP Support Assistant, it will recommend to install and update HP Power Assistant features again.

Exchange Display Names as email addresses on Hybrid Environments

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:41:47 GMT

If you don’t take care, that the on premise and the 365 cloud Exchange of your organization is not well connected via a dedicated TLS connection, you will get into thsi issue when user display names are shown as email addresses.

Read the following article, which discuss this issue and how to take care to avoid occuring this on such environments:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/hot/archive/2012/01/09/display-names-appear-as-email-addresses-in-cloud-when-sent-from-on-premise.aspx

DNS Server service refuse name resolution on Windows Server 2008 R2

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:54:23 GMT

It has been already from nearly two years ago, that under certain circumstances DNS Server service on Windows Server 2008 R2 refuse to resolve internet domain name addresses.

This issue occurs if Windows Server 2008 R2 DNS Server is used without forwarders configured, just relying on root hints entries querying for internet domain name resolution.

The issue was, that after a while the DNS Server service can’t handle the catched entries on the DNS cache and refuse name resolution.

Now Microsoft published a hotfix to fix this issue, which was still persistent on Windows Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1.

Get the hotfix here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2508835

Security vulnerability on Printer environments

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:44:48 GMT

Could a hacker from half-way around the planet control your printer and give it instructions so frantic that it could eventually catch fire? Or use a hijacked printer as a copy machine for criminals, making it easy to commit identity theft or even take control of entire networks that would otherwise be secure?

It’s not only possible, but likely, say researchers at Columbia University, who claim they've discovered a new class of computer security flaws that could impact millions of businesses, consumers, and even government agencies.

Some printer vendors acknowledged that the potential existed for a certain type of unauthorized access on certain printer models.

In the meantime some firmware updates available from some vendors for certain printer models, to close the security leak. But still many printers might be vulnerable against attackers conquer printer firmware and use printers for whatever intrusion or damage during business relevant high availability print job execution.

It is valid to cover print environments into current network designs and placing printers behind firewalls against core business systems.

And disable remote firmware upates for protection.

Microsoft Windows win32k.sys Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:37:25 GMT

A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft Windows, which can be exploited by malicious people to potentially compromise a user's system. The vulnerability is caused due to an error in win32k.sys and can be exploited to corrupt memory via e.g. a specially crafted web page containing an IFRAME with an overly large "height" attribute viewed using the Apple Safari browser or Internet Explorer.

Successful exploitation may allow execution of arbitrary code with kernel-mode privileges. The vulnerability is confirmed on a fully patched Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Other versions may also be affected.

Microsoft is currently investigating and perhaps turn back soon with a hotfix or patch.

Stay tuned …

How to install TMG 2010 Service Pack on Branch Office Server

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:55:19 GMT

When you try to install a service pack for Forefront TMG 2010 on a branch office server, it will fail, because the Firewall service needs to be stopped. When Firewall service has been stopped the connection to headquarter is not longer active. This will cause problems with access to Enterprise Management Server, configuration database and services.

Microsoft published a workaround in a new MSKB article

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2648207

Windows 7 can play audio to only one port at a time

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:10:45 GMT

A limitation of Microsoft Windows 7 is that audio data can only be sent to a single output source. If both the HDMI and Audio Out ports have devices connected to them, then Windows generally defaults to the HDMI port. As a result, sound cannot play through speakers connected to the Audio Out port while a device is also connected to the HDMI port.

Note: make sure your HDMI devices are on before you start your computer.

AMD Eyefinity multi-display and Windows 7

Thomas K.H. Bittner — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:50:38 GMT

When using AMD Eyefinity technology with multiple displays, and selecting a desktop resolution that exceeds 8k pixels in any dimension, currently there are some issues occuring.

This article published from AMD team explains how to troubleshoot and solve display issues with AMD Eyefinity with Windows 7.

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/VeryhighresolutionswithAMDEyefinity.aspx