Category Archives: Computers

Fix VSS Writer Errors for Windows Backup Errors on Server 2008 R2 with Exchange 2010

This article applies to Windows XP, 7 and Server 2003.  It also works in Server 2008 R2 SP1 when trying to uses Windows Backup with Exchange 2010.

Having trouble running Windows Backup on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 with Exchange 2010 Installed?  Do you keep getting errors with Backup Failed? See the following URL and the following instructions.

https://kb.datto.com/hc/en-us/articles/200554775-Resolving-VSS-Writer-Errors-in-Windows-XP-Windows-7-and-Windows-Server-2003

Open a command prompt selecting “Run As Administrator” 

Run the command line command:

vss list writers

Write down each writer service that shows an error.  Then, match each writer with an error to each Service Name shown in the table at the above URL.

Then, open Administrative Tools, Services, and find each service that you have in your error list, and restart each service that shows an error after you ran the command vss list writers.

Re-run the command vss list writers. Repeat the service restart of each writer with an error.

Reboot if you can’t get rid of all errors.

Run the command vss list writers.

If no error, run Windows Backup.

 

Exchange 2010 OWA Options or Inbox Rules Will Not Load – Server 2008 R2

When you are logged into Outlook Web Access (OWA) and you try to access “Options” such as “Create Inbox Rule” or “All Options,” you get redirect to an error message page that says, “Unexpected Error – An error has occurred and your request couldn’t be completed. Please try again.”

When you load (run) the performance monitor

Start > Run > c:\perfmon (Enter)

you may see this alert box for “Performance Monitor Control” when you select, or whenthe snap-in console is focused on, “Performance” in the left menu: 

 

WARNING:  DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK.  I DISCLAIM ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR RESULTS AND/OR THE AFFECT ON YOUR SERVER SYSTEM AND REGISTRY.  I TOOK THE CHANCE AND IT SOLVED MY IMMEDIATE OWA PROBLEMS.

Rebuilding the Performance Counter Setting, using the lodctr /R command from a command prompt (opened with Run as Administrator) allows the Options pages in OWA to properly load:

On the server, click Start , in the search box, type, cmd.exe

In the search results shown above the search you performed, right-click on the “cmd.exe” result, and left-click on and to select the option to “Run As Administrator.”

When the command window opens, make sure that your command prompt shows:

C:\Windows\System32>

otherwise, enter this to change directory:

cd\Windows\System32 (Press Enter key on your keyboard)

Then enter the following command to rebuild the performance counter setting:

lodctr /R (Press Enter key on your keyboard)

It takes quite a while for the lodctr /r command to completely execute, and there is no progress indicator!  BE PATIENT AND LET IT RUN TO CONCLUSION.  The cursor just seems to hang after you enter the lodctr /R command and press (Enter).  Remember to also “resetiis” from the command window after successfully rebuilding performance counter setting. 

Here are a few articles that I found which address these issues and possibly your issues:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2554336/how-to-manually-rebuild-performance-counters-for-windows-server-2008-6

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/perfmon-problems-unable-to-add-counters/e90f231d-0014-457d-8b1f-5f342971597a?auth=1

https://coredumpelf.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/exchange-2010-sp1-ecp-wont-load

Remove the Tab to Open Microsoft Edge in Internet Explorer of Windows 10

Starting with Windows 10 build 15002, a new tab called “Open Microsoft Edge” has been added to the tab bar of Internet Explorer.  This Edge Tab is situated next to the New Tab button on the Tab Bar.

This article will show you how to remove this Open Microsoft Edge Tab.

1. Click/tap on the Tools (Alt+X) button in Internet Explorer, and click/tap on Internet Options. (see screenshot below)

 

2. Click/tap on the Advanced tab in Internet Options, check (remove) or uncheck (default add) the Hide the button (next to the New Tab button) that open Microsoft Edge option under the Browsing section for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below).  Click Apply button, Click OK.

3. Close and reopen Internet Explorer to see that the change has been applied and that the unwanted Tab is gone.

Bye the way, Microsoft wants you to use the Edge browser because all of your searches and your browsing habits are stored to the BING CLOUD.  Microsoft can use your browsing habits to serve you targeted ads in Microsoft Edge.  So far, Microsoft has not chosen to do this when you use Internet Explorer.  I recommend disabling Edge to the maximum extent possible.  Don’t use the Windows 10 apps for “Contacts” or “Mail” or Calendar.  All the content of these Windows 10 Apps is sifted by Microsoft and the content is stored in the Bing Cloud.  Don’t use Cortana.  Same reasoning.  Disable it until it only serves as a file search box.  Finally, go into “Start,” “Settings,” and “Privacy,” and turn OFF as much information leaking functionality as possible, which would otherwise allow apps and Microsoft Windows 10 to store and use your personal information, and the personal information of your contacts, business associates, clients, etc.  Never Log into Windows 10 with your Windows Account ID.  Never authorize the use of your Windows Account ID as the default configuration.  As soon as you enable an APP from the Windows App store, you will be asked to make that default authorization.  You might skip right past it.  That is their intent. 

Installing 8GB of DDR2 RAM in Dell PowerEdge SC440

See this Article from an SC440 owner in Japan:

http://usy.jp/pc/poweredge_sc440_8gb/

Use page translate.

He was using PC2-5300 ECC Unbuffered RAM.  I will try PC2-6400 ECC Unbuffered 800Mhz RAM. Hopefully, it is backwards compatible to 667Mhz and 533Mhz.

I already installed 8GB PC2-5300 ECC unbuffered RAM and it works just fine in the Dell PowerEdge SC440.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:IJMyPClKJe0J:en.community.dell.com/support-forums/servers/f/956/t/18946794+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

DAA Opt-Out of Targeted Advertising Interest-based Advertising

Digital Advertising Alliance Consumer Choice Page

Go here using the particular browser that you wish to set your opt-out cookies:

http://www.aboutads.info/choices/

Microsoft Opt-Out regarding browser and apps:

http://choice.microsoft.com/en-us/opt-out

 

Toggle Preferences on/off for Microsoft and Internet Explorer:

  • Personalized ads in this browser.
  • Personalized ads when you use your Microsoft Account.