What happened to dsa.msc in windows 2008 server

What happened to dsa.msc in windows 2008 server.

The simple truth is that it's no longer part of the default installation of the server OS, sorry. There's a logical explanation of this for sure. The first that comes to mind is security. Anyone with access to a server can load up users and computers on any member server. This is usually no big deal but with identity theft always on the rise, this is a convenient way to get additional information about users.

With windows 2003 a member server made a nice convenient gateway to AD users and computers by simply executing dsa.msc from the command line or from the start run command. while working out issues on another server, a handy look-up and some times a useful tool to add a test account or to make a quick change to an existing account , was running dsa.msc. Although in environments that had Exchange servers, running this from a member server would not shoe email properties, it was still useful and often meant having to avoid another remote connection to a domain controller.

The image in this post shows the options that should be selected to add this functionality back into member server. The installation of the feature does not require a reboot and only takes several minutes - of course that's on a dual quad core server.

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): OWA-problem-loging-in-reason=0

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): OWA-problem-loging-in-reason=0

http://remotesupportdesktop.blogspot.com/2009/04/owa-problem-loging-in-reason0.html

OWA-problem-loging-in-reason=0

OWA users received the following message in their address bar and a blank browser page. OWA worked fine before this started occurring. OWA was using forms based login and the work around to allow users to login again was to change from forms based login to standard windows authentication logon. Although hey achieve the same purpose, the users had become used to the forms based login and it was admittedly a nicer interface to use. The users got in the browser address bar:
https://mail.[exserver].gr/owa/auth/logon.aspx?url=https://mail.[exserver].gr/owa/&reason=0

This message would come up for OWA users connecting to an Exchange 2007 server. The solution to this problem was to uninstall microsoft exchange 2007 SP1 update rollup pack 6. uninstalling update rollup 6 solved the problem for the OWA forms based logon but but by uninstalling the rollup, the transport server was removed.

That's right, the transport server role was on this same exchange server and it was completely removed, not disabled or set to automatic startup but removed. This was a tough situation but something had to be done as there was no email going in or out of the email server. One choice was to re-install the update rollup 6 but that may have brought me back to the same problem. I decided to remove update rollup 5.

See, the problem here originated when a in-house guy who does a lot of the desktop work and some server work had some trouble with a blackberry server and decided to install all kinds of updates to the exchange server. The updates were windows updates and they were exchange updates. After updating the heck out of the server the OWA forms based login had been broken. The suggestion was to remove windows updates that were applied and that could resolve the problem.

The problem sure enough was caused by updates being installed while the IIS service was not running. The windows updates were removed and re-installed as prescribed but that did not solve the problem. It was a while before I was able to address this OWA logon problem again and now the time had come. remembering manipulating the windows updates I decided with a little confirmation from forums that the next approach would be to remove exchange updates.

I saw that update rollup 3,4,5,6 were installed and of course started with removing update rollup 6 in effort to make the browser stop hanging with blank page when logging into OWA using HTTPS. At the end of the URL in the address bar was a clue for searching, /owa/&reason=0.

http://remotesupportdesktop.blogspot.com/2009/04/owa-problem-loging-in-reason0.html

Removing 6 solved the OWA logon problem but removed the hub transport service from the exchange server. I then decided instead of re-installing rollup 6, to remove 5. After removing rollup 5, the hub transport service was back and several other exchange services that were removed with update rollup 6.

Registry location and keys for Outlook 2003/2007 Profile

ExtractNow - A Utility for Extracting RAR files.

I'd like to get the word out about this little software find. It's known by many I'm sure but I believe that information about this little program that can save lots of time and aggravation when it comes time to deal with a rar archive needs to spread.

For those of you who don't know, rar archives are very much like zip files. Everyone is probably more familiar with zip files and for good reason, as zip files are more widely used in the the common computer space.

There are rar files and I'm sure many of you have encountered them when downloading a software program or mp3 files or whatever. The most common thing to do to extract them is to download WinRAR, install it and then deal with the original problem that you were trying to take care of - almost an hour later.

Although the compression algorithm in WinRAR far exceeds that of Zip files, zip has become the de-facto standard. with Microsoft incorporating into windows explorer right on the desktop and the common computer folk needing nearly no experience to create or extract the files with the zip files, it's become very common and simple to handle zips. Rar files similarly are compressed files and being that rar compression technology isn't incorporated into the windows explorer shell, needs a program to work.

The common thing to do at this point and I've done this many times is to download d install WinRAR and then decompress the files and then get on with what it was you were trying to originally accomplish with the archived files and directories. This to me is annoying as once I download and install the software to extract the current archive, I don;t use WinRAR again for a while. If I need to compress something I just zip it using explorer. Yet WinRAR is installed and often becomes a nuisance it the installation changes file associations, bloats the registry a bit, alters the explorer context menu with about 4 or more items listed.

There is an alternative to programs like fatter programs like WinRAR. I found a nice little program called ExtractNow from extractnow.com. The download is only one megabyte (1MB) and it installs in seconds - for real. Check the file association for rar files and that's it. it enables you to drag rar files right into it's windows for extraction or just use the open file menu - quick easy and simple to use. I have to mention that the drag and drop didn't exactly work 100 percent on Vista but I'm sure it will.

Exctract rar files with ExtractNow - http://extractnow.com/

Need to extract .rar compressed files but want the extra bells and wistles of winRAR?
Information and user opinion for using ExtractNow to Extract rar files without WinRAR can be found at this personal site.

Computer Desktop and Server Management

Computer Desktop and Server Management

Kaseya may have it's roots as a remote control program and indeed they still have this feature in their software application, but it's a whole lot more than remote control.

Kaseya offers a complete solution for you to offer your csutomers a managed solution for their desktops and servers. But it doesn't stop there, thier software can also monitor any device that has SMTP protocol enabled on it. One of the better differnces that exist with this software package over others that just monitor your devices is that on desktops and servers their is an agent that's pushed out and installed in a silent manner. It's a very small program and ocne installed updates the server that you host on its own. The connections from the client network to your hosted server is outbound so their are no firewall configurations required on the customer side. Of course on your side to enable the agent to communicate with your server, rules have to be be created to allow for the data to pass from the Internet side to your network and server.

The installed agent also has an option for the end user to submit a trouble ticket and the trouble tickets can be managed and monitored by a help desk staff. Depending on the number of users there will make a difference on the number of people you would need to track those tickets and provide support. they offer in addition to monitoring and providing support through a ticket system, the option to perform backups of selected desktops and servers. Built into their software is Acronis imaging software which is one of the best applications for imaging available. I've used Acronis Disk director independantly of Kaseya's software it works wonders. I had to resize a live server's partition and used Acronis disk director version ten and it did the repartitioning flawlessly. See blog post on Acronis at these two sites, http://pctechgo.blogspot.com/ and at http://pctechnow.blogspot.com/.

Features:

Kaseya can automate and manage remotely the following IT services:

• PC Remote Control/Remote Support
• Patch Management
• Kaseya Computer Audit and Discovery
• Remote Desktop Management
• LAN and Windows Monitoring
• Help Desk and Trouble Ticketing
• Software Deployment & Systems Management
• Network Policy Management
• Backup and Disaster Recovery
• Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware Detection
• Cross Platform Support (PC and MAC)
• User State Management
• Power Management

The cost of the software can be quickly recovered ocne enough clients are added to your base. The fact that you can provide NOC type services is one of the great advantages that a company can offer to another is supporting their data and network infrustructure is one of the services you or your company provide.


Blog home: Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG)

Are all desktops the same?

They are not the same in my humble opinion. Although many of the technologies they implement are the same simply because many of them are standards based and in demand by consumers, their implementations vary. The support absolutely varies and I find that HO, especially in the sever category has an edge on all the others especially Dell.

dell has slipped from my favor many years ago. before the slip I believed their support was one of the reasons to buy a Dell. When I was asked what new desktop computer should I get by someone, my replay was Dell. Now, that has been tainted as dell had tainted their support. They believed somehow that people would not notice the big shift and degradation of their support. They are trying to build it back up and are doing an OK job.

So during that dark era for me with Dell, HP was the desktop of choice. HP made and still makes a reliable compacted system with various level systems to suite business, home users, casual users, novelists, etc.

For computer remote support software see http://www.4remotesupport.com/ , Provide PC remote support affordably with web based pc remote support software.

Supporting Technology with Technology.

Supporting Technology with Technology



Microsoft LiveMeeting has a new version and some great new features to go with it.

Sign-up for a demo:

LiveMeeting Demo

Read White Paper:

Conferencing and Collaboration White Paper

NetGear PS121 USB to Ethernet Network

PC Tech Support . This is nice image depicting how a simple design can make a difference and with the software that comes with these desktop network print servers, it easy to select the server from the list of servers if there were more than one. The software that ships with the network print server does a discovery on the network segment for all printer server and presents you with a list from which you select which one to work with. Assign an IP address and other network info and immediately begin sharing the printer with having to connect it directly to a desktop. This server is that even though the interface and setup is not entirely geared for information technology in the enterprise network, it can be used in large environments if needed.

Desktop Support
netgear-ps121-1
Originally uploaded by

Remote Support Software

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computer remote support software

This is great buy and with good return. You can convert any USB printer to a network printer to share amongst multiple desktops and computers throughout your small office or home office. In addition, the printer can be setup on a Microsoft Windows 2003 server if needed and shared out like any other HP printer that has a built-in network interface card.

For PC Remote Control Software incorporated into a service that provides computer desktop, server, and PC technicians with distributable software for PC Remote Support, please visit http://www.4remotesupport.com/

This site shows how web based remote pc support software doesn't have to be an expensive proposition. To enable small companies to provide remote support by using web based pc remote support should require a second mortgage on your home or business.

Some providers charge just way too much, most of the free stuff means your constantly working to keep the application up to date, providers of appliance based solutions claim that you buy it and own it (and it's not web based but applicance based). You own but will pay for support and maintance forever - and that more often equals an amount worse than the

companies that provide the server for you.

How Some Companies Do Support.

How Some Companies Do Support.: Hewlett Packard StorageWorks U320e (AH627A) Storage Controller and a Dell 2950 PowerEdge Server.


HP OEM's these SCSI adapters from another company. The company makes many different SCSI cads for interconnecting devices to a computer. An associate suggested using an Adaptec card for this server and tape auto-loader for the multiple server backups. The question remains, as we didn't take that route, is whether or not there would be features lost like speed if another card other than the one that's recommended and OEMed by HP is used.

For PC Remote Control Software please visit http://www.4remotesupport.com
This service provides a service that let's computer desktop and server technicians that support computer software and applications a means for remotely accessing computers on the web for providing remote tech support. Pricing is very affordable.

Quest Recovery Manager for Exchange

Quest Recovery Manager for Exchange : Just my opinion & review.

I have only a brief story about this application for Exchange mailbox recovery. The Program is made by Quest software and it's called Quest Recovery Manager for Exchange.

This program is capable of mailbox recovery from an unmounted .edb database store or even from a tape which is what I found pretty cool. The recovery gives admins the ability to recover not only a single mailbox if needed (the whole Exchange mailbox store is not required) but even just a single message can be recovered. This I thought was very handy and leads to the next part of this post that I said was going to be short but I see the lengh just going on and on. I have not had the opportunity to see the software retrieve and restore a single message or mail box for that matter but I did use it for searching email.

The single email message recovery from a user's Exchange mailbox. This seemed fascinating and led me to this software for discovery of email. I had a client that needed to recover all email sent from a specific set of user from their company to a client of theirs. Of course the reverse was true as well. They need to see all the email that was sent from the client to employees of the company.

Quest Recovery Manager for Exchange in my opinion did not due a satisfactory job for me. If I need to find a single email from a mail box or two , maybe would have gain some sheers from me but I need to search dozens of main boxes for using various keywords. I had a ton of pst files that contained mush of the email needed for the recovery. The email was on pst files because this company had migrated from Novell Groupwise some years back to Exchange and part of the process of getting the email out of Groupwise into exchange included an export of the data. Hence, the large number of outlook pst files.

This is where I believe this program failed in providing adequate abilities as boasted y their sales people and their website. Oh, before I forget to mention it, just to get a demo license you have to contact their sales department. The the license only allows for 10 percent of the total data to be searched.

Here was my biggest problem with the software. The way this search worked was by searching the pst files one at a time. I could easily do that using Microsoft Outlook. To make this extra rip-off-ish, the search interface IS OUTLOOK'S!

A past post on another blog regarding computer and desktop support applications can be found here and here.

Computer Remote Support Software

Computer Remote Support Software

Computer remote support software

Computer remote support software that's an affordable alternative to the large corporation name brand remote support solutions. PC remote support over the Internet shouldn't have to cost an arm and a leg. A thousand plus dollars a year to provide software that gives tech support people the ability to use pc remote control to help remote computer users, desktop client computers, network servers, and others to get systems working again should not be a budget buster for small companies.

remote support software - The three basic features of remote support software are file transfer, remote access and control of the desktop over the web. These three basic features that a remote support solution should not have to lead to thousands of dollars per year and support fees. There are more cost effective solutions to meet the needs of support departments and companies that have to support their customers.

There are affordable solutions for web based PC remote support that don't have to leave your computer and tech support budget in a fiscal crunch. There are solutions that will enable every technical support staff member of your help-desk or application or system integration group with a technical support account and still be less than the cost of several accounts form the major brand name providers.

Device based remote support support is a thumbs down approach

Even more so will be the cost saving over appliance based remote support support solutions that have hidden costs for maintenance and support of their products. An example is that there's a claim you own the remote support solution but in reality, you do not. You may own the hardware device used as the server in between remote desktop client s and the tech support staff but by no means will you be free of charges. There are maintenance fees for the appliance and for the software. If you don't pay the high cost of the yearly fee, they charge exorbitant amounts for support or trouble tickets. For updates and upgrades you are paying for every bug fix.

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Support Desktop Computers Over the Internet

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Support Desktop Computers Over the Internet

Support Desktop Computers Over the Internet

For techs and developers readers, I discovered a web site that has a usefull service that permits you to take remote control of computer systems through the web to provide remote access support to your end-users. This is not a unique service or idea or a great find but the thing that makes this site and their service kind of special is that they don't add-in additional charges and don't have a pricing structure for their remote support solution. With a single account you can remotely access and control an unlimited number of desktops over the Internet using thier service with one flat rate. Also, unlike other services that may charge for the number of remote desktops accessed, minutes used, or bandwidth, there's none of that. Access as many computers as you need to and do from as many computers as you need to without additional charges or licenses.

Remote Support Software

With one rate and a simple cost structure, remotely access and control as may systems over the web as you need to. You could change the computer your providing remote support from as often as your like too without getting charged extra or having to request anything from them. There's no "license" attached to any particular computer system. Change your supporting computer and network as you need to. There are other sites that sell a program (an executable) that has your networks IP address compiled into it so if your network changes you have to get a new program. This is system is dynamic so that if the location that you provide remote support from changes, or the ISP providing Internet access for the location changes, you just make a simple modification on your user page to accomodate for it. The software that gets downloaded to the remote desktop automatically is aware of the change and connects for remote desktop support using the newly modified configuration.

PC Remote Support Software

There are many various vendors of online pc remote support software that offer their customers static support solutions. There are even others that provide you the tools to allow for the building of your own remote control program. What these sites do is create an executable program that packs in an IP address into it. The remote control software that downloads to the remote computer uses the address to connec to you computer. This works fine but what if your IP address changes? Or, you need to provide PC remote support from a different location other than the one that the program was created for - this presents a problem. The on-demand remote PC support software sthat you use to help your customers should be as dynamic as the world that's being supported. Computers and desktops change often, networks change too. How can a support program not change too.

Remote Assistance Software

One of the most popular tools in the work of technology today is the service or program that allows tecnicians, developers, engineers provide remote assiatnce over the web to their customers and end-users. Online remote assistance software is based on a simple concept. Use the network as the medium to get to the problem fast. Companies are more and more widespread with globalization and telecommuting becoming the norm rather than the exception. Getting to9 these system to provide support requires a more effieciant mechanism than what was avialable in the past.

GFI Faxmaker Version 12 - Sort of a review.

Last week I was involved in a GFI Faxmaker version 12 installation.
I've always liked this software application from GFI. It's pretty good for the price. It's a budget faxserver but with reliability and ease of deployment. Unless you have some specific needs - like you want some tof features to work.

GFI Faxmaker 12 for exchange may install and work fine on Exchange 2000 or earlier but with Microsoft Exchange 2003, a simple feature of emailing from Outlook 2003 was a reg hack on the faxserver. Maybe this feature installs properly if the faxing software is installed on the same computer system as the email server but in this case, it was a separate server and the feature did not go in right through the installation process and I had to perform a registry hack while following their tech support instructions. This registry change isn't even in their knowledge base as it shoud be since their support center closes at 6:00PM EST.

An added note about this install that does have much to do with the software but with the faxboard that is installed. It's a mainpine.com 4 port port called a Quatro+ 4 (four) . It does not have the feature of being able to read DID information from the incoming call and therefore cannot route inbound transmissions accoording to DID infoprmation. It can only do this using DTMF. To enable this, the drivers on the server for the card need to be changed to a conextant driver. This sounds like a patch job don't it? Brooktrout is the way to go.

Assist computer users worldwide.

Remote Support Software

Assist computer users over the web with efficiency and ease. Access computers over the internet and provide support fast to resolve computer issues with less downtime for the end-user. IT departments have a limited staff to support all their users and with the work force in today's business environment now spread out across the globe, remote support software is the key to keeping up to date with this latest trend in the work place. Administer computers and servers across the globe, virtually any where in the world, with pc remote control software that works over the internet. The remote user just needs a working computer and an internet connection and you can access their system and control as if you were sitting right in front of it.

• PC Remote Control Over the Web
• PC Remote Support Software

Remote support software has impacted the technical support industry and computer support helpdesk and IT departments in a dramatic way. In its various forms, it has change they way support is done. Response times are quicker and with the prevalence of broadband reaching most of the globe and peoples homes inexpensively, the market has seen tremendous growth over the past several years. Long gone are the support command prompts achieved through old dial-up lines. Now is the age of broadband and fast pc remote support over the web.

Many Data Types--One Management Platform

Source:Earthweb Datamation
April 21, 2006

Information Lifecycle Management products often focus on the management of specific silos of information within your organization. Multiple products, for example, will assist you in the automated archiving and E-discovery of your E-mail messages based on policies you define; while other tiered-storage products will allow you to shuffle your must-save data to and from various storage mediums, based on their relative worth to the organization at any given time and their defined compliance timeframes. Though each data management need in your organization shares similar characteristics (information classification, automated policy-based data movement, etc.) if you're like most shops then you must manage several different applications to meet these needs--one application for each of the main types of data you accumulate.

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Supporting computers on the web

Information Technology Support - Adventure (Rated PG): Supporting computers on the web

Cisco 3825 and 2811XM routers for local bank.

Current project is a little different from the last large one I had the consisted mostly of desktop rollout. This one involves cisco gear and is more interesting but also more chellenging. The Cisco routers are 3825 and 2811 routers from cisco. There are two 3825s and 11 2811s. The 3825s are for the bank core and the 2811s are for the branches. The cores are goin to be the most complicated. They are replacing some older routers and yes they are at the core of the bank communications. They have coming into them all of the frame-relay circuits for all of their branches. Which means I am bringing the entire bank down - branches and main all at once when they go in.

Adding 32 new systems to busy medical practice. yahooooo.

Adding 32 new systems to busy medical practice.

OK. Some updates of what's been going on.

I'll start with my long project - adventure is more like it. I'v been rolling out new computers for a customer in Manhattan. They bought 32 new Dell systems that all needed to be setup on the domain and have the office software configured. Doesn't sound bad right? Well, it's a very busy medical practice and the computers are in all areas of the office includeing chek-in check-out, the exam rooms the doctors' desktop PC systems. At the same time I'm handling their day-to-day troubles. Which include the. I can't log in whines, and MS Exchange issues, slowness issues on some of the desktops, integrating medical equipment like EKG tester thingies. They have a company that supports their medical software but I've been their so much I'v been taking care of the problems for them. They have dameware installed on most systems for on-demand pc remote control and are able to push it out to the new systems.

The remote pc control software they use came in handy already since I needed their assistance to get the first exam room's software working properly. It was the first time I had to setup the software from scratch. I tried working with the config from the old computer and did great but the thing I didn't know was I had to have another peice of medical software running, Logician by GE (general Electric), on first use for it to complete the config.

I was so close but I'm glad I called and saved time. The remote support tech, Tony, just remoted in to one of the servers. He was using some other online on demand computer remote control software to access the server over the Internet then dameware for remote desktop control of the workstation.

Remote Computer Control

I like the software they use for computer remote control but I'm kind of favoring using PC Anywhere on all the desktops for my on demand pc remote support software of choice on the computers in the office. I could connect over the Internet using Microsoft Terminal Server then remotely access the computer systems on the LAN.

Supporting computers on the web

Online pc remote support software

There are many vendors providing solutions for remote support software service and software. With the many vendors comes numerous methods for providing online pc remote support software services. Many of which are web based and others that are standalone applications. Numberous vendors supply an ASP style approach which permits their customers to just log into their server and in turn their customer's end-users whom they are trying to provide on-demand remote desktop support to also just login into the third party server. Then there other vendors that require the purchase of a server that can be homed on their cusotmer's own network giving them that extra feel of security. By always knowing who has access to the server gives them added protection. In additionm, this method allows them to meet certain standards imposed by regulatory bodies such as the medical community. Remote pc control on the web in the medical community and remote computer access in general is begining to be more closely scrutenized and regulated.

Remote Support Software

The third type of on-demand remote pc control support software packages would be the stand alone applications. These come in multiple flavors. One is a full blown application like the famous symantec software pc anywhere which I believe has been for many years one of the best remote desktop control products for the enterprise for decades. The other type is one which the technical peron looking to provide support has a piece of software installed on their system and their remote computer user downloads an executable that's pre-programmed with networking information to get to the tech support person's network and computer. The two software pieces then connect up to each other providing the tech support personnel with remote control of the far-end computer on the web. Some of these ask fo addition security information and yet others do not. The drawback to this type of softare is the fact that it's pre-programming is hard coded into the software. Usually the way to change it is to purchase another executable. A more dynamic approach is to have the technician run a peice of software on thier computer as before. It could even be a browser add-on like an active x control. The remote computer side could still be required to downalod software in the form of a java applet or an executable but with both of these methods have the network information required to connect back to the support engineer allow for change. It either can download with updated information or can fetch the information required each time. By doing so the information is updated an not static. this permits for a more dynamic and cost effective approach that addresses changes in ISPs or change of locations.

The ultamate goal of remote control support of computers is to save time. In most cases, by saving time the cost of providing the service goes down. This tends to lead to more productivity from current staff thus decreasing the need to bring more technicians into the support group. With technology developing as fast as it does and just about all market segments moving and changing at speeds never before seen in the industrial history of the world the remote control approach lends to a faster more agile support work force.

SOSTEK Remote Support

http://www.sosonline.co.uk/remote_support created the SOSTEK system and provides remote support and uses a pay per incident system. The customer pays first then gets supported remotely after payment is received.

Below is an excerpt right from their web page:

SOSTEK Remote Support

What it's all about

SOSTEK remote support system provide a easy to pc remote control use solution that allows you to get your computer fixed without having to leave your home. Our fully qualified technicians can remotely connect to your pc with minimal fuss or effort. To remote computer control, it only takes a few easy step to get started!

The range of items we can fix using SOSTEK:

- Virus and spyware removal
- Fix email errors
- Full application set-up and configuration software problems*
- Application diagnosis and repair*
- Troubleshoot driver issues
- Operating system diagnosis and repair*
- General hardware diagnosis+

SOSTEK remote support system does not install any permanent software on your remote computer but rather just a "plug in" that is completely uninstalled and removed from your computer after the on demand remote support session is completed or ended. While remote desktop control is active, you can also disconnect at any time and end the remote support session.

This online pc remote support software is very safe and secure as it connects using 128bit encryption so data can't be seen by other sources.

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