Powering on a virtual machine fails: could not open/create change tracking file

Virtual machine does not power on and we see the error.

could not open/create change tracking file vmdk_file_name

To resolve this issue, remove or rename the filename-ctk.vmdk file.

To remove or rename the filename-ctk.vmdk file:

•     Make note of the SCSI controller type used by the hard disk.
•     Remove the hard disk specified in the error message from the virtual machine.
•     Open a Secure Shell session to the host.
•     Navigate to the virtual machine's folder:

    /vmfs/volumes/GUID/vm_name

•     Remove or rename the filename-ctk.vmdk file.
•     Re-add the hard disk back to the virtual machine using the SCSI controller type from step one.
•     Edit the descriptor file (.vmdk) and remove or comment out any references that specify use of a ctk file.
•     Power on the virtual machine.

Unable to access Windows Update - Error 0xC80003F3

Run below commands and rerun update file.

regsvr32 MSXML3.dll /s
net stop wuauserv
cd /d %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
rd /s /q DataStore
net start wuauserv
regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 mssip32.dll

VBScrip - List a Perticular Service of All WMI Enabled Computers

On Error Resume Next

InputFile = ("c:\computers.txt")
OutputFile = ("c:\result.txt")
Service = ("netlogon")

Set oFS = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set f = oFS.OpenTextFile(InputFile)
Set fr = oFS.CreateTextFile(OutputFile, True)

Computers = f.ReadAll
f.Close
arrComputers = Split(Computers,  vbCrLf)

fr.WriteLine("Server" & vbTab & "Services" & vbTab & "State")

For Each strComputer in arrComputers
    Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & _
    strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
    Set colRunningServices = objWMIService.ExecQuery("Select * from Win32_Service")

    For Each objService in colRunningServices 
        If objService.DisplayName = Service Then
            fr.WriteLine(strComputer & vbTab & objService.DisplayName & vbTab & objService.State)
        End If
    Next
Next
MsgBox "Service gathering complete", 0, "Info"

MS Outlook: Working with Safe Mode Command Line Switches

- When something isn’t working right with Outlook we often tell users to start Outlook in safe mode or using the /safe switch. This loads Outlook without many of the customization files and add-ins loaded. If outlook works correctly in Safe mode, the problem is with one of add-ins or customization files.

We can use one of these methods to start Outlook using a command line switch:

    Hold Ctrl key as we click the Outlook shortcut.
    If Run…. is shown on start menu (any version of Windows) click it and type outlook.exe /safe in the Open field and click OK.

- In most cases we only need to type outlook or outlook.exe, but occasionally Windows complains that it can’t find the file. When this happens we need to use the full path to Outlook.

- The default location is usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX, where XX is our version number. We can browse to it or look on the Quick Launch shortcut for the file path. Do this by right click on the Outlook shortcut on Quick Launch toolbar and choosing Properties. The default switch is /recycle, we can replace this with /safe, press Apply then double-click on the shortcut to run it (leave the dialog open). After Outlook opens, replace safe with recycle and click OK.

- In most cases we only need to type outlook or outlook.exe, but occasionally Windows complains that it can’t find the file. When this happens we need to use the full path to Outlook.

- The default location is usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX, where XX is our version number. We can browse to it or look on the Quick Launch shortcut for the file path. Do this by right click on the Outlook shortcut on Quick Launch toolbar and choosing Properties. The default switch is /recycle, we can replace this with /safe, press Apply then double-click on the shortcut to run it (leave the dialog open). After Outlook opens, replace safe with recycle and click OK

- If Outlook is not closing properly, look in Task Manager, Processes tab and verify it’s not running. We can open Task Manager by right clicking on the Windows task bar and choosing Task Manager.

The following safe switches are available:

/safe 
Starts Outlook without extensions, Reading Pane, or toolbar customization. Works with all versions.

/safe:1 
Starts Outlook with the Reading Pane off. Outlook 2003/2007 only.

/safe:2 
Starts Outlook without checking mail at startup. Outlook 2003/2007 only.

/safe:3 
Starts Outlook with extensions turned off, but listed in the Add-In Manager. Outlook 2003/2007.

/safe:4
Starts Outlook without loading Outcmd.dat (customized toolbars) and *.fav file. Outlook 2003/2007.

Thank You

Batch File: List a Perticular Service of All WMI Enabled Computers

@echo off
for /F %%s in (d:\Servers.txt) do (
  echo Processing %%s
  echo Processing %%s >> d:\Services.txt
  sc.exe \\%%s query netlogon >> d:\Services.txt
  echo. >> d:\Services.txt
)

VB Script: Retrieving Extended Files Properties of all files in folder, and import all attributes to Excel file.

To list extended Properties of files inside folder, use below script.

Save script in any localtion, i;e C:\Script.vbs, run below command

C:\>cscript //nologo script.vbs > report.csv

In addition, depending on the OS version, the properties are in different order and there may be many more.  Win XP has 33 standard items, but Win 7 has 286 and the order of some of them differ between the two OSs.

Script,...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dim arrHeaders()
  
Set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")Set objFolder = objShell.Namespace("D:\Database")
  
On error resume nextFor i = 0 to 287
  redim preserve arrHeaders(i)
  arrHeaders(i) = objFolder.GetDetailsOf(objFolder.Items, i)
  if err.number <> 0 then exit forNextOn error goto 0
wsh.echo "File Name" & "," & Join(arrHeaders, ",")
   
For Each strFileName in objFolder.Items
  wsh.stdout.write strFileName 
  For j = 0 to i - 1
    wsh.stdout.write "," & objFolder.GetDetailsOf(strFileName, j) 
  Next
  wsh.echo
Next

---

Citrix: Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.

It occurs when file that maintains the Navigation Pane settings of outlook becomes corrupted, means outlook profile get corrupted. Please see below small steps to get resolve this issue if outlook doesn’t open at user end in citrix.

-In citrix, Outlook profiles saves under \\Profile Server\TS_Proifles\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\outlookprofilename.xml (e;g outlook.xml).

-If outlook profile is corrupted then this outlookprofilename.xml file size will show 0 KB. This is a good indication of this corruption.

-We just need to rename this outlookprofilename.xml file, and ask user to logoff and relogin back to citrix and outlook.

-Once user will login, it will again automatically create a new outlookprofilename.xml, and all settings of outlook will remain same.

Event ID: 10016, Source: Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM

Description: The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{61738644-F196-11D0-9953-00C04FD919C1}
to the user GKN\sp_db_access SID (S-1-5-21-973244980-2087295393-1065927410-1142) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

Solution:
-GUID: {61738644-F196-11D0-9953-00C04FD919C1}
-Application name following to this GUID: IIS WAMREG admin Service
-Service Name: IISADMIN
-Permission issue: GKN\sp_db_access

Action taken:
Added in the account GKN\sp_db_access and set local launch and local activation

Path:
Administrative tool -> Component Services ->DCOM Config -> View -> Details -> Find GUID {61738644-F196-11D0-9953-00C04FD919C1} -> Added in the account GKN\sp_db_access and set local launch and local activation

PGP: Message is blocked - recipient email address could not be resolved. Error code: [0xa1010004].

CAUSE:The MAPI address space in PGP Desktop has to be configured to allow specific FAX address spaces.

SOLUTION:Add the following values to PGPprefs.xml
<key>MAPIfaxAddressSpaceList</key>
<string>FAX</string>
-To find PGPprefs.xml, go to \%username%\UPM_Profile\AppData\Roaming\PGP Corporation\PGP \PGPprefs.xml

-Edit PGPprefs.xml in notepad.

-Find <key>MAPIfaxAddressSpaceList</key>

-Look next text to this string, it will show as <string></string>.

-Replace to <string></string> as <string>FAX</string>,
Note: Same will be performed in entire PGPprefs.xml file wherever you get <key>MAPIfaxAddressSpaceList</key>

-Once it will replace, text will be shown as below.
<key>MAPIfaxAddressSpaceList</key> <string>FAX</string>,

-Log off and relogin back to PC, and check fax services. It should work.

Blackberry- Block Social Networking Applications from BES

-Login to blackberry server.
-In BlackBerry Administration Service console, select BlackBerry solution management.
-Select Policy and then select Manage IT policies.
-Highlight the "Default" IT Policy or create new policy, and then click to open the policy.
-With the IT policy open, click Edit IT policy.
-Select the Security tab and set Disable Public Social Networking Applications to Yes.

Error: ANS1705E System Writer(s) 'system writer' do(es) not exist.

If System Writers is not showing in "vssadmin list writers", there is some issue with permission on "%windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames".
To allow appropriate permission, use below mentioned commands.

-Open cmd
-Go to %windir%\winsxs
-Type the following commands to allow permission:

Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /a
icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"
icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"
icacls %windir%\winsxs\temp\PendingRenames /grant BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\* /a
icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(RX)"
icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant "NT Service\trustedinstaller:(F)"
icacls %windir%\winsxs\filemaps\*.* /grant BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
net stop cryptsvc
net start cryptsvc

Now again run "vssadmin list writers" in command prompt, "system writers" should be visible there.

How to enable PHP Extension in Windows Server 2003 IIS 6.0.

Installing PHP:-

1.    Download PHP.

2.    Create a directory in C:\PHP as installation directory. Then extract the files from php-5.1.4-Win32.zip into C:\PHP.

3.    Locate the file ‘php.ini-recommended’ in C:\PHP and rename it to ‘php’. (without the quotes of course)

4.    Open the ‘php.ini’ file and find the line which reads extension_dir = “./” and change it to extension_dir = “C:\PHP\ext”.

5.    Add the location of PHP directory to the server’s PATH environment variable so that Windows knows where to look for any PHP related executables (such as the PHP extension DLL‘s).

-To do this Right-click on My Computer,

-click Properties

-On the Advanced tab click Environment Variables.

-In the Environment Variables dialog box, under System variables highlight the Path variable and click Edit.

-Add ‘;C:\PHP’ (be sure to include the semi-colon separator) and click OK.

6.    Re-boot the server for this change to take effect.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Configuring IIS to work PHP under IIS 6.0:-

 

1.    First we need to create and then enable an appropriate Web Service Extension so that IIS will both recognise and allow PHP files to be processed by the appropriate script engine.

2.    There is easier way of doing this by using the ‘iisext.vbs’, which we can find in C:\Windows\System32. Once we have this “iisext.vbs” file, we have to run below command in command prompt under C:\Windows\System32 directory.

cscript iisext.vbs /AddFile c:\PHP\php5isapi.dll 1 PHPISAPI 1 “PHP ISAPI”

3.    Now we can see, this script creates a new Web Service Extension in IIS, named “PHP ISAPI” with a status of Allowed.

----------------------------------------------------------------

For more information and screen shots on this, go to http://www.iisadmin.co.uk/?p=4

How to check MX record of any Domain?

-Open a commnad prompt.
-Type "nslookup"
-Type "set q=mx"
-Type Domain name for which we want MX Record.

See below example.

-------------------------------
P:\>nslookupDefault Server:  stcdcpr01.prime-uk.local
Address:  10.250.1.12
> set q=mx> google.comServer:  stcdcpr01.prime-uk.local
Address:  10.250.1.12
google.com      MX preference = 10, mail exchanger = aspmx.l.google.com
google.com      MX preference = 50, mail exchanger = alt4.aspmx.l.google.com
google.com      MX preference = 40, mail exchanger = alt3.aspmx.l.google.com
google.com      MX preference = 30, mail exchanger = alt2.aspmx.l.google.com
google.com      MX preference = 20, mail exchanger = alt1.aspmx.l.google.com
aspmx.l.google.com      internet address = 209.85.229.27
alt4.aspmx.l.google.com internet address = 74.125.81.27
alt3.aspmx.l.google.com internet address = 74.125.127.27
alt2.aspmx.l.google.com internet address = 209.85.173.27
alt1.aspmx.l.google.com internet address = 173.194.69.27

Restore deleted object in 2008 Active Directory?

There are few tool by which we can check deleted objects. Few of them are:

1) ADRestoreNET

2) ADRestore.exe

How to use ADRestoreNET

-Download ADRestoreNET.

-Extract the zip file,

-Install ADRestore.NET.msi,

-Open ADRestore.NET from Start>Program,

-Select Domain Controller Name, and click on Enumerate Tombstone.

-It will display all deleted objects.

-Click on object which we want to restore.

-Click on properties to show object details.

-Click on restore option to restore it.

How to use ADRestore.exe?

-Download ADRestore.exe.

-Extract the zip file,

-Open command prompt,

-type "adrestore.exe" (Without qoutes)

-It will display the active directory deleted objects

-If we want to recover the deleted user

-type "adrestore /r" (Without qoutes)

-Click yes on objects which we want to restore.

Note: Once we will restore object, it will show in correct OU where it was stored previosly. But it would be in disabled mode, we have to enable it manually.

Outlook Emails are not syncing with Blackberry for all users

Enable Hard Delete Reconcilation Option, it will resolve the issue.

To enable Hard Deletes Reconciliation

If using BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1, complete the following steps:

1. Open BlackBerry Manager.
2. In the Explorer view, click Server.
3. On the Server Configuration tab, click Edit Properties, then click Messaging.
4. For the Hard Deletes Reconciliation option, choose True from the drop-down menu.
5. On the computer that hosts the BlackBerry Dispatcher, restart BlackBerry Dispatcher service. Important: Restarting certain BlackBerry Enterprise Server services delays email message delivery to BlackBerry smartphones.

If using BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 or BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express 5.0, complete the following steps:

1. Log into the BlackBerry Administration Service.
2. In the BlackBerry Administration Service, on the Servers and components menu, expand BlackBerry Solution topology > BlackBerry Domain > Component view > Email.
3. Click the instance that you want to change.
4. Click Edit instance.
5. On the Messaging tab, in the Messaging options section, in the Hard deletes reconciliation drop-down list, click True.
6. Click Save all.
7. On the computer that hosts the BlackBerry Dispatcher, restart BlackBerry Dispatcher service.

Backup-Error message when you try to perform a system state backup in Windows Server 2008: "ERROR - The location for backup is a critical volume"

Reason: This behavior occurs because system state backups to critical volumes are blocked in Windows Server 2008.

Solution: We can change the default behavior of Windows Server 2008 by adding a registry entry.

Registry entry to enable system state backups to critical volumes

Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor. So be ensure to have a backup of registry before make any change in it.
To enable the system state backup files to be targeted to critical volumes, We must set the value of the AllowSSBToAnyVolume registry entry under the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wbengine\SystemStateBackup\

 

Set the value of this entry as follows:

Name: AllowSSBToAnyVolume
Data type: DWORD
Value data: 1

Note: When this value is set to 1, system state backups to any volume are enabled. To revert to the default behavior, set the value to 0.

Backup-Procedure to Take System State Backup by Windows Server Backup in Windows 2008

Windows Server Backup has a feature to take backup by GUI and CUI mode both. 

We can take System Drives Backup either by GUI mode or CUI mode. But to backup the System State in Windows Server 2008, we have to use the command line "WBADMIN". Below mentioned is the procedure to backup System State.

• Open Command Prompt by Start>>>Run>>>CMD

• C:\>WBADMIN START SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP -backuptarget:E: 

         Note: (E: is destination drive, where backup to be save.)

• Once we excute the above command, it will ask to confirm start backup procedure. Click "Y" to start the backup. 

•   Backup will execute and take some time to get complete.

Note: During executing wbadmin command we might get error "ERROR - The location for backup is a critical volume".

Backup- Procedure to install Windows Server Backup in Windows 2008

NTbackup is removed from Windows Server 2008, and new feature named as "Windows Server Backup" cames into the picture.

As we all might already know, that in Windows 2008 Environment all features doesn't install by default, so we need to install Windows Server Backup once to use this feature. Below mentioned is the procedure to install Windows Server Backup feature.

1. Click Start, click Server Manager, in the left pane click Features, and then in the right pane click Add Features. This opens the Add Features Wizard.
   
2. In the Add Features Wizard, on the Select Features page, expand Windows Server Backup Features, and then select the check boxes for Windows Server Backup and Command-line Tools.
   We will receive a message that Windows PowerShell is also required to be installed with these features.
   

   Note:
   If we just want to install the snap-in and the Wbadmin command-line tool, expand Windows Server Backup Features, and then select the Windows Server Backup check box. In this case, Windows PowerShell is not required.

   
   
3. Click Add Required Features, and then click Next.
   
4. On the Confirm Installation Selections page, review the choices that you made, and then click Install. If there is an error during the installation, it will be noted on the Installation Results page.
   

Start, Starts with Start...

There is no time defined here to start anything new...so never think u r late...think abt it, make a plan, and go ahead...