Category Archives: Computers

Computers, Software

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.

 

Computers, Programming, Software

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

Computers, Internet, Software

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. 

Computers, Hardware

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

Computers, Internet, Programming, Software

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.

 

Computers

ZoomIt Screen Zoom and Annotation Tool

Image

Windows Sysinternals

If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft Windows Sysinternals, it is highly recommended that you visit the website at http://technet.microsoft.com/sysinternals before using any of the Sysinternal tools.

Shared from Microsoft Technet — original Publication is by Mark Russinovich, as follows:

ZoomIt v4.5

By Mark Russinovich
Published: June 20, 2013

Download ZoomIt v4.5 now from Microsoft’s Technet (296 KB)

Download ZoomIt now from Live.Sysinternals.com (296 KB)

Introduction

ZoomIt is a screen zoom and annotation tool for technical presentations that include application demonstrations. ZoomIt runs unobtrusively in the tray and activates with customizable hotkeys to zoom in on an area of the screen, move around while zoomed, and draw on the zoomed image. I wrote ZoomIt to fit my specific needs and use it in all my presentations.

ZoomIt works on all versions of Windows and you can use pen input for ZoomIt drawing on tablet PCs.

Using ZoomIt

The first time you run ZoomIt it presents a configuration dialog that describes ZoomIt’s behavior, let’s you specify alternate hotkeys for zooming and for entering drawing mode without zooming, and customize the drawing pen color and size. I use the draw-without-zoom option to annotate the screen at its native resolution, for example. ZoomIt also includes a break timer feature that remains active even when you tab away from the timer window and allows you to return to the timer window by clicking on the ZoomIt tray icon.

ZoomIt-Options

 

Computers, Software

Show All System Tray Icons In Windows 10

In Windows 10, someone decided to change the name of the System Tray.  It is now called the Notification Area.

Here is how to show all Icons in the Windows Notification Area. (Well, it’s one way to get there.)

  1. Right-click a free spot on the Taskbar and left-click select Properties.  The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties will appear.Capture01
  2. Next to the words “Notification Area:” Click the Customize Button. Edge will open and the left menu will automatically highlight Notifications and Actions. Capture03
  3. Select the Link on the right that says “Select which icons appear on the taskbar.”  Why they call it the Taskbar at this point is a misnomer, or rather misleading. But this will take you to the appropriate “Settings” screen for Taskbar / or  / Notification Area Icons.Capture02
  4. Select or Turn “ON” or “OFF” beneath the phrase “Always show all icons in the Notification Area.”
  5. X-out of Edge.