enable dos login for windows 2003 domain
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
if your into computers I am sure you have loved and always will love ghost a simple tool that has saved us countles hours of machine configuration and hunting for files to backup. But if you went to a windows 2003 based domain. Trust dos boot disks no longer wirk with network login credentials. you will recieve the dreded error #5 not to be mistaken for mambo #5. Anyway Dont be diheartened the issue can be reseolvedyou need to go on to you domain controller and change one setting and your back in ghosting bliss.
click start
settings
control panel
administrative tools
domain controller security policy
now follow thse steps and your ready to ghost!
2. Open the Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options folder.
3. Locate the Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (always) policy setting, and then click Disabled or Do Not Configure.
Life Update
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
Life has been pretty crazy these days. the one year aniversary of my dads death has come and gone. I would be lieing if I said it was not a hard week. But All is well we survived it.
This past weekend lauries family put on a baby shower for her. She recieved alot of nice stuff. I honstly do not have a clue what 95% of it is for but hey how hard could it be! I mean you put food in one end and clean the other end when it comes out seems pretty simple right? We also had a 8 hour lamaz class. Now maybe I should classify this as a rant but I think lamaz training is a reserved for the 7th circle of hell. By the end of the day of watching gross videos and breathing techniques I wanted to stop breathing myself! Guys if you can avoid the lamaz class do so at all costs! If you cant get out of itdo the 2 hour classes at least the agony will be shorter durations.
The babys room is all finished i painted it about a month ago wanted the fumes to be long gone before the new resident arrives. We picked out a nice set at babys r us and got that in and all put together. I installed some nice shelves above the windows to put stuff on. I want to track down some wall mount corner shelves which is not as easy as it sounds but I am hitting the stores tomorow for those. We also ordered a night stand for the room from walmart.com so that should be in soon and the room will be complete. The in will be the filling of the room!
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7 weeks to go
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
Well there is about 7 weeks until the arrival of laurie and I' first child. I would say i am nto nervous but that would be a lie. We have been in a baby preperation frenzy these days. We ordered the babys room furniture last weekend at babysrus and got a great deal. I finished painting the bedroom a very light pink color and it came out very nice. The purchasing of baby stuff is in full swing we picked out the bedrrom set and curtains so we are all set. We also got nice letters that spell out her name to hang on the wall in the bedroom which is pretty cool. I even got into the whole picking bay stuff out kinda scary even though most of the things we were looking at in the store i had no idea what they were for. a baby wipe warmer I mean seriously!!!! I am looking into purchasing a pedal car for her so she will have her own 55 next to daddys when I take her to car shows. Yeah I know its kinda corny but hey I am a corny kinda guy! I decided to not do the traditional baby monitor route being that I am a geek and all. I am going to get a camera that has sound and color video that can be viewed from any web browser on any computer in the house. I figure that will be much more useful later on down the road as it could be used as a nanny cam or even home survelience device. Yup I am a super geek but go with what you know I figure. I am even using my work bonus to buy baby stuff instead of car parts god I never thought I would see the day. I must be getting old..................... But hey I am gonna be a dad!
migrating domain users to new print servers
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
ok well all domain admins have been through it its upgrade time and you just installed your spiffy new server now how do you migrate all your users printers over to the new printer. Have them do it themselves yeah right go get a root canal it will be less painful. Use AD it works but can be cumbersom. How about a login script yeah but alot of the scripts out there do not keep your default printer the same etc etc. Well I have a great solution use this VB script.
edit the my new print server field with the name of your new print server and as long as your share names are all the same run this script in a users login script and you are done no fuss no muss and it will even keep the users default printer! Good luck hope this helps someone out!
On Error Resume Next
Function GetDefaultPrinter()
sRegVal = "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Device"
sDefault = ""
On Error Resume Next
sDefault = objShell.RegRead(sRegVal)
sDefault = Left(sDefault ,InStr(sDefault, ",") - 1)
On Error Goto 0
GetDefaultPrinter = sDefault
End Function
Set objNetwork = CreateObject ("Wscript.Network")
Set objShell = CreateObject ("WScript.Shell")
Set objFSO = CreateObject ("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
LogonServer = objShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%logonserver%")
UserName = objShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%username%")
strComputer = "."
PrintServer = "MYNEWPRINTERSERVER"
PrintServer = LCase (PrintServer)
Err.Clear
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & _
"{impersonationLevel=Impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
If Err.Number Then
wscript.echo ("Error : " & Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description & VbCrLf)
Err.Clear
Else
ImpDefault = GetDefaultPrinter
Set colInstalledPrinters = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("SELECT * FROM Win32_Printer")
For Each objPrinter in colInstalledPrinters
PrinterArray = Split (objPrinter.Name , "\")
If (LCase(objPrinter.ServerName) <> "") and (LCase(objPrinter.ServerName) <> "\\" & PrintServer) then
On Error Resume Next
Function GetDefaultPrinter()
sRegVal = "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Device"
sDefault = ""
On Error Resume Next
sDefault = objShell.RegRead(sRegVal)
sDefault = Left(sDefault ,InStr(sDefault, ",") - 1)
On Error Goto 0
GetDefaultPrinter = sDefault
End Function
Set objNetwork = CreateObject ("Wscript.Network")
Set objShell = CreateObject ("WScript.Shell")
Set objFSO = CreateObject ("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
LogonServer = objShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%logonserver%")
UserName = objShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%username%")
strComputer = "."
PrintServer = "MYNEWPRINTERSERVER"
PrintServer = LCase (PrintServer)
Err.Clear
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & _
"{impersonationLevel=Impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
If Err.Number Then
wscript.echo ("Error : " & Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description & VbCrLf)
Err.Clear
Else
ImpDefault = GetDefaultPrinter
Set colInstalledPrinters = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("SELECT * FROM Win32_Printer")
For Each objPrinter in colInstalledPrinters
PrinterArray = Split (objPrinter.Name , "\")
If (LCase(objPrinter.ServerName) <> "") and (LCase(objPrinter.ServerName) <> "\\" & PrintServer) then
objNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection "\\" & PrintServer & "\" & PrinterArray(3)
If Err.Number Then
wscript.echo ("Error : " & Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description & VbCrLf)
Err.Clear
End If
If ImpDefault = objPrinter.Name then
objNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter ("\\" & PrintServer & "\" & PrinterArray(3))
End If
objNetwork.RemovePrinterConnection objPrinter.Name
End If
Next
End If
objNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection "\\" & PrintServer & "\" & PrinterArray(3)
If Err.Number Then
wscript.echo ("Error : " & Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description & VbCrLf)
Err.Clear
End If
If ImpDefault = objPrinter.Name then
objNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter ("\\" & PrintServer & "\" & PrinterArray(3))
End If
objNetwork.RemovePrinterConnection objPrinter.Name
End If
Next
End If
How to convert a 2000 domain to a 2003 domain with new servers
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
- Do a clean install of windows 2003 on your new server install all drivers and windows updates. (always best to begin working with a stable updated platform)
- Assign the new machine an Ip and subnet in the current domains subnet make sure that the DNS points to the 2000 domains current DNS servers
- Join the server that will be the future domain controller to the 2000 domain as a member server
- Do you currently run an exchange 2000 server?
- Now we can Prepare the domain for the new 2003 server
- You are now ready to install active directory. The easiest way to accomplish this is to ad a role to your server. To make it a domain controller and follow through the wizard the installer will do the rest.
- If you are going to run you dhcp server off of this machine you will want to transfer it by using this how to http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-6345_11-5034284.html
- Now you must transfer you’re your primary domain controller roles to your new 2003 server here is an exact how to to do this http://www.petri.co.il/transferring_fsmo_roles.htm
- If you want to migrate user drives or other network shares I suggest Hyena as it will migrate the shares the permissions and everything from one server to the next or you can accomplish this by doing the following
To copy the share permissions and details you can use regedit (from the command line) to export the HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Shares
key which you can then load into the registry on the new DC.
- Now it is time to test the new DC shut down the old one and see how the new domain controller handles everything. If all is well move on to the next step
- Boot up the old domain controller run dcpromo and demote the old 2000 domain controller and uninstall active directory and walla you are done!
55 chevy update
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
well heres the latest on the 55. It has been a pretty busy winter and spring for work on the 55. I converted the car from a generator system to a alternator system which was surprisingly inexpensive. Only cost me about 25 dollars for chrome brackets from summit. and the alternator I picked up at the local napafor 45 dollars. Yeah it is not chrome but I figured I would upgrade it later when I had a little more money to spend. the install was pretty strait forward the internet had several helpful how to articles. next thing I did was pick up a electric windshield wiper motor because when I changed to an edelbrock performer intake and carb I lost the vacume due to the engine running so much more efficiently. As everyone knows more efficient = more horse power! But I needed to have the wipers functional in order to pass NYS motor vehicle inspection. the wiper motor cost me 100 shipped thanks to a fellow 55 owner on www.trifive.com The father in law and I had to do a little work on it and fine tune it but it was well woth the price especially since new units cost around 300! My next undertaking was replacing the gas tank and sending unit. I had to do the sending unit as it did not work at all and I ran out of gas last summer due to that luckily I died right in front of a gas station. So since I had to change the sending unit I figured it was the perfect time to change the tank as well. The original tank had a huge dent in it I think someone must have backed into something in the cars past. the tank was made in canada ( I did not want the tiawan knockoff ) and cost me $155 shipped from an ebay seller and came with all needed gaskets and screws. The sending unit was $45 shippped I ended up going with a stainless steel one as it seemed to be made better. the install was easy removing the old tank and installing the new one only took me an hour and a half. However I ran into some bad luck on my first time driving the car this year. I found a fuel leak when filling the car at the fuel filter which was just pouring out gas and when gas is $3.65 a gallon that is not good. Also to make matters worse the starter decided to die on me . I barely made it home. So when I got home I started right in trying to fix the issues. the fuel filter issue was just a piece of rubber fuel line that was dry rotted and easily fixed. the starter was abit more interestiing. I started by trying to remove the starter about 2 and a half hours later the starter was all disconected but I could not get it out with the long tube headers. so after trying everywhich way I could I ended up having to remove the header to get the starter free. So the next day I called no less than 10 places trying to find a mini starter for the car which no one had even summit! well I came home from work a little disheartened after all of that. However I went to a swap meet a couple weeks ago where I traded a pair of chrome valve covers and and air cleaner for an almost new chevy high torque starter however upon getting it home I realized that the starter was the incorect style to bolt into my car. well it seems that during the day my father in law took the snout off of my dead starter and put it on the new starter I got at the swap meet as other than the snout they were identicle accept the new one was high torque. well I installed the starter that night and it worked great. the car starts better than ever. The 55 is back on the road and ready to cruise!55 chevy gas tank
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
I got home from work to find my new fuel tank for the 55 waiting for me on my front porch. I could not help myself I ran in the house took the dog out for a quick walk and changed into my work clothes and headed to the garage to install. Only took me about an hour and a half to install. i took some advice from a fellow forum member and installed the new sending unit I also ordered while the new tank was out. hardest part of the hwole thing was removing the filler neck from the old fuel tank but after a little muscling on it it popped free. I was honestly surprised how easy it was the car being as old as it is and all. took me almost 2 days to replace a sending unit in a 92 explorer a few years back. I guess they just dont make mm like they used to. anyways I put a few gallons of gas in the tank so I could get to the station and fill up and luckily for me there does not seem to be any leaks. I got my tank off of ebay the canadian made tank EHHHH. it was packaged and shipped nicely cost me 155 total including the bolts to install the sending unit as well as all nedded gaskets. great deal! Long story short I now have a working fuel guage and can cruise without keeping the gas can in the trunk this summer WooohoooDomain login logging with login scripts
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 33
Any network administrator worth his salt is keeping tabs on his users activity in some way. Being that i have an education background I live and die by keeping an eye on my end users. So I decided to add a few lines of code to my netowork login scripts to aid in this.
anyone can use the code in this script with their windows domain login scripts just copy and paste it in. The only change you will need to make to the code is the server and share where the info will be stored.
for /f "tokens=1-3 delims=: " %%i in ('time /t') do set datime=%%i:%%j %%k
FOR /F "Delims=: Tokens=2" %%a in ('IPCONFIG^|FINDSTR /I IP') DO FOR /F "Delims=. Tokens=1-4" %%f in ('ECHO %%a') DO set IP=%%f.%%g.%%h.%%i
for /f "tokens=1-4 delims=/- " %%i in ('date /t') do echo %computername%,%IP%,%username%,%datime% >>\\server\loginlogs$\%%j-%%k-%%l.txt
first step is create a share on one of your servers with modify access to everyone. I prefer to use a hidden share in this to keep prying eyes out of the logs.
a new text file will be created every day in the share with the date as the name.
for example 04-04-2008.txt
the output from the script will look exactly lke this
machine name, IP address, username, exact time
computer, 10.1.1.5,joemomma,04:16 PM
you could use utilities to then import this data into a database. this is a very basic first step but will help you keep tabs on those naughty users........
Breastfeeding Mother Sentenced to Jail for Postponing Jury Duty
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 0
Summary: MD Woman asked judge if possible to post pone her jury duty until the summer, as she is currently breastfeeding her 12 week old baby. Judge found her in contempt of court and sentenced either a night in jail or $150 fine. Brian Frosh, Chair for the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, said the law would cause more people to try to postpone their duties, "If you start saying, we’re gonna excuse people for breastfeeding, you’ve gotta say ok to kidney dialysis, chemotherapy and all the other maladies that afflict the human condition."
Okay, not for nothing, and mind you yes I am pregnant and yes my emotions and hormones are running crazy, but seriously, is this guy the biggest idiot around? So maybe breast feeding isn't life or death, and there are other options (such as pumping and formula), but I do believe she has a valid reason for postponement. But Chemo and Dialysis? How can this man sit there and state those are not valid reasons to postpone your duties? Is the juror's life worth so little? Exposing a cancer patient, whose immune system obviously is not working correctly, to all the germs and people in the court house .. what the hell!! And dialysis? 'I'm sorry madame juror, I understand your kidneys are not working, and yes you are swelling up before my eyes, but hey, that's no excuse now sit down and I expect you to have a clear and unbiased mind as you hear this case.' Somebody needs to knock some sense into Mr Brian Fosh, and I hope that someday he doesn't need to post pone his jury duty!!
Crazy 24 hours
By: len | On: 07/03/2008 | In: Tech | Comments: 1
Been a pretty wild 24 hours out at the ole homestead. last night we lost internet connectivity which thankfully is not a common occurance even with our podunk dsl service provider. I got home last night after doing the mall crawl with the misses to find our vonage service was out. Which in itself is usually not a big deal as I just have all calls automatically forward to my cell when the vonage goes down and usually a quick reset of the vonag box is all that is required to correct the issue. last night 2 resets did not do the trick which was odd as the DSL modem read connected so on the computer I go. after getting on the pc was unable to reach any websites so internet is deffinitly not working so I jump on my trusty pix 501 firewall to see what the status of the DSL connection is and to my amazement it to read that it was up and running. The plot thickens right! so i know a couple IP's of my dsl provders servers so I start pinging them and I get replies and all is well yet still no internet. So I finally deduce that they are having an outage with their provider or something along those lines.
So i break down and call their tech hotline which I really really hate to do as I hate listening to some know nothing script reading techno weiner tell me to reboot my dsl modem 5 times and then tell me my "router" has an issue to which my reply is that is amazing considering I do not use a router on my network I have a cisco firewall. which then just throws them into a stunned silence as there is nothing in their script to deal with someone who actually knows what they are talking about. then after a stunned pause they put you on hold to talk to their supervisor which is another hapless technoweenie who has memorized their script. who I then have to explain how networking/routing truelly works and then they always say we will have to excalate the issue and I wait 24 hours and I then talk to the ISP's network engineer who I know on a first name basis at this point and between the 2 of us we usually have the issue sorted out in 10 minutes go figure. Ok anyway end tech support rant.
Anyways the tech support line had a message on it saying that they were having issues connecting to their ISP so my deduction turned out to be correct.
Then this morning we wake up tot he gentle chirping of UPS's it seems that our area was hit with a large blackout this morning. So I told the misses to get a quick shower and I would go frenchy for the day the gentleman that I am. However I forgot that the electric was needed to pump the water up to the shower so the poor wife ran out of water in the middle of washing her hair needless to sayshe was not amused. Fade to me dragging the generator out of the basement and trying to get that started. The darn generator did not want to start so I am reading the directions on it and I come across unit may be equipped with an on off switch which I could not find for the life of me they stuck it on the top behind something or another . After finally finding the switch I finally got the generator running the wife got clean hair and I even got to jump in the shower. Yeehaw my coworkers probably appreciated that one. after my shower it was time to take the beagle out for the bathroom run before heading out to work. and i heard the neighbors aut generator shut down so the power outage only lasted long enoughto basically screw up the whole morning.
So we got clean but ended up being late for work but only an hour which is not bad considering the drama that unfloded this morning. CRAZY CRAZY day.....