Connect an iSCSI SAN to Server 2008 R2 using the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator

Scenario

You’ve installed FreeNAS 8.2 and configured it as a free iSCSI SAN. Now you need to connect to the iSCSI SAN using an iSCSI Initiator.

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ODBC gotcha for DocuWare on Win7 64-bit

I almost got caught out again earlier on the 32-bit ODBC admin console gotcha for 64-bit computers.

Luckily that first post I wrote at the start of the year helped me out. It really is great that this blog is becoming a great reference for me already. I don’t know if I should be proud of that, or ashamed that I forgot about the issue in under a year 😐

Anyway, in addition to using the correct ODBC admin console (C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe), make sure you tick Return matched rows instead of affected rows and Enable dynamic cursors to make DocuWare run correctly:

Show more details on wireless networks using Win7

I read a few good tips the other day on this post: http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2010/05/wifi-diagnostics-from-windows-7-or-vista-command-prompt-by-tony-fortunato.html

To view the normal network details, you can type this at the command prompt:

netsh wlan show networks 

To view more – including network channel and supported speeds – type this:

netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid

EDITnetsh wlan show all is probably the easiest to remember and shows more detail.

Enable Group Policy Preference logging and tracing

Scenario

You’ve created and linked a new GPO that uses Group Policy Preferences to move some files. You’ve had this working before, but now find that the files aren’t being copied across on certain clients.

The Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP) tool does not show GP Preferences, so you need another way of troubleshooting this. Enter Group Policy Preference logging and tracing.

Follow the steps below to enable the GP Preferences log file(s):

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Print update rollup for Win7 and Server 2008 R2

Whilst troubleshooting slow printing issues, I stumbled across the following blog post: http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2012/03/16/print-update-rollup-available-for-windows-7-amp-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

I was surprised to read this in the comments:

At this time there are no plans to make this available on WSUS

Really?! If it is “designed to reduce known issues such as printing performance, print spooler crashes, connectivity to print queues, and print driver installation” then why would Microsoft not distribute this through the normal channels?

You can get the updates at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-US;2647753 but don’t go blindly rolling this out; test first!

Using an elevated command prompt to open Add Remove Programs

Scenario

You’ve noticed there is software that shouldn’t be installed on a client PC, but when you try to uninstall it via a remote desktop connection, a warning message appears saying “This installation can only be uninstalled by a user with administrative privileges”. Smeg!

Solution

  1. Open the run box (windows key + r) and type runas /user:DOMAINADMIN cmd.
  2. You will be prompted for the domain administrator password. Type said password and press enter.
  3. Once the elevated command prompt appears, type control appwiz.cpl to open the Add/Remove Programs control panel.
  4. You will now be able to uninstall the offending software…through gritted-teeth and a wry smile.

The best way to copy files using built-in commands – Robocopy

I’ve tried countless ways of copying and syncing files in the past, the last being the venerable SyncBack backup program.

Although it served its purpose, these days I’m not a fan of installing more applications than absolutely needed, so I thought I’d explore built-in options again.

I’ve used xcopy previously, but I wanted to try something new. Enter Robocopy…and no, it has nothing to do with this guy:

Robocopy was not created by Robocop!

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How to quickly re-install applications after system failure

The Problem

You’ve carefully been running full backups of your computer for ages, using the built-in Windows Backup tool in Win7.

An unrecoverable crash occurs, but you’re not scared as you have multiple backups with multiple restore points; if anything, you’re spoilt for choice with restore options…or are you?!

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Using 32-bit ODBC drivers on Win7 64-bit

As we slowly migrate away from Windows XP to Windows 7 at work, the world seems to take great pleasure by presenting weird and wonderful issues for me to fix.

The latest one was getting 32-bit ODBC drivers to work on a Win7 64-bit PC.
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