SBS 2008 – IE Update KB963027 Breaks Companyweb Access from the Server

We installed the latest round of updates on our SBS 2008 box that we use to test updates with.

This is what we were greeted with when we tried to open IE:

IE Authentication Request for Companyweb

The offending update was this one:

Microsoft KB 963027:  MS09-014: Cumulative security update for Internet Explorer.

Once we uninstalled the update and rebooted the server, the Companyweb site came up just fine on the SBS 2008 box. Looks like we will be declining this one on our other SBS 2008 installs until things are ironed out and the update takes properly.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*All Mac on SBS posts will not be written on a Mac until we replace our now missing iMac! (previous blog post)

Windows Live Writer

SBS 2008 - Remote Web Workplace Connect button is missing?!?

The first time one of our clients mentioned that they could not connect to their computer in the office via the Remote Web Workplace, we ran through some of the typical questions we would ask:

• Is the RWW in your Trusted Sites zone?
• Have you enabled the Terminal Services Add-On? (previous blog post)
• Is the self-issued certificate installed on the local machine? (previous blog post)
• Is Windows XP Pro up to date?
• Is Internet Explorer at version 7?

But, when our client indicated that the button in their RWW for connecting to their workstation was outright missing, it took a few minutes to clue into what may have been going on.

This is what they were seeing:

RWW Button Missing

This is what the RWW should look like:

SBS 2008 RWW

The question that needed to be asked as we were initiating our troubleshooting was, “What Internet browser are you currently using to access the Remote Web Workplace?”

As soon as they answered, “Firefox.”

We had our answer … or so we thought. We ended up needing to troubleshoot things further as the system was seemingly up to date, but not.

More on that later.

Once things were fixed though, we had a fully functioning Internet Explorer browser RWW based connection to our client’s desktop.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

*All Mac on SBS posts will not be written on a Mac until we replace our now missing iMac!

Windows Live Writer

IE 7 - Add-on Disabled for RDP via RWW

When connecting to the RWW and subsequently attempting to connect to a desktop on the SBS network, you may see:

Windows Internet Explorer
This portion of the Remote Web Workplace requires the Microsoft Remote Desktop ActiveX Control. Your browser's security settings may be preventing you from downloading ActiveX controls. Adjust these settings, and try to connect again.

Note that in this case we have already added the RWW site to IE's Trusted Sites zone.

To deal with the issue:

1. Click OK on the ActiveX warning dialogue box.
2. Double click on the Gear with the red circle with the strike through near the bottom middle of the IE window (The yellow info balloon points to it).
3. Click on Microsoft Terminal Services Client Control (redist).
4. Click on Enable in the Settings box at the bottom left hand corner.
5. Click OK.
6. You may get a "For changes to take effect, you might need to restart IE" warning. Click OK.
7. IE will restart itself and bring up the RWW portal menu.
8. Click on the Connect to my computer at work link again and the list of available computers should come up.

This situation seems to be relatively new, but easy to solve.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

*All Mac on SBS posts are posted on our in-house iMac via the Safari Web browser.

Windows XP - IE7 in Microsoft/Windows Update - No Longer There

We are finishing up the setup of two new Acer laptops, and seemingly IE 7 is not available via Microsoft Update. At least, it did not show up when searching for updates on the machines via the Microsoft Update Web Site.

It can be downloaded from here: Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP SP2.

If it doesn't appear on M/W Update again, then it looks like this is one for the Technician's Thumb Drive for sure!

It would be good to store it on the workbench network too.

UPDATE 2007-10-23: The IE7 for XP update has shown up again on Microsoft/Windows Update. It still requires us to run through the setup steps as before but without the validation component.

Thanks to Andy (comments section) for the initial heads up.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

*All Mac on SBS posts are posted on our in-house iMac via the Safari Web browser.

Internet Explorer - Surreptitious Entry in the User Agent String

What does the Internet Explorer User Agent String say?

You can check it here: User Agent String.com.

By default on XP IE 7:

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30)

Okay, so it tells us that the browser is IE 7, on Windows XP and it has the three versions of .NET installed.

By default on Windows Vista IE 7:

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506)

Again, it is quite simple. We have IE 7 as a browser, Vista as the OS, something about SLCC1, and the .NET components.

Now, what do we have here:

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; TheFreeDictionary.com; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30)

We have it seems, some free advertising for a particular Web site going on. Somehow, whether by software install, spyware or malware install, the above .com site is in the User Agent String that IE shows to the world.

The InfoPath entry would have come by an InfoPath install.

To get rid of any unwanted entries, navigate to the following locations in the registry:

Windows XP:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\User Agent\Post Platform

Windows Vista:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent\Post Platform

Delete the offending key and close all IE windows. Open an IE session again and navigate to User Agent String.com and verify that it is gone.

It only seems fair that the offending site ask permission for their name to be carried around the Internet. If the offending entry's permission came via some small print in a Terms & Conditions somewhere, then this situation demonstrates why we should be reading them!

This is one more little indicator for us to use to keep an eye on system health and integrity.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

*All Mac on SBS posts are posted on our in-house iMac via the Safari Web browser.

IE 7 Bug on Multiple Monitors - Pop Up Info Doesn't Leave

This info tab from IE is stuck on my right monitor. I have had it happen a number of times now. The last one was for the script warning that happens the first time I click on the Add A Link button while blogging on my main monitor.

I have a multiple monitor setup, and I suspect the bug is tied into that.

It is strange, and so far, the only way to get rid of it is to log off the system and log back in again.

Strange...

It may be possible that it is related to the ATI video drivers. We shall see if the problem disappears with the next Catalyst release.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

Office 2007 and IE 7 peformance on XP Pro Versus Vista Business

Is it just me, or does Office 2007 and IE 7 run like dogs on XP Pro SP2?

The reason I ask this is because the XP Pro SP2 based system I run in the Office is no slouch!

• Intel QX6700 Quad Core Extreme


• Intel 975XBX


• ATI X1900 CrossFire & X1900XTX Video


• 4 GB Kingston RAM

It may be possible that I am experiencing some sort of configuration issue, but nothing comes up in the diagnostics for Office that I can see.

The system at Home running Office 2007 and Vista Business is configured as follows:

• Intel P4 650 3.4 GHz. HT


• Intel D925XCEV2


• ATI X850 PCI-E


• 4 GB Kingston RAM

Office runs so smooth, as does IE 7.

When it comes to IE 7, we are running a smaller Internet connection at home, 1.5 Mb/s as opposed to the 4.0 Mb/s here in the office where the XP box is. Makes for even more puzzlement.

Same sites on both machines, XP & IE 7 renders slower than Vista and IE 7.

I can remember hearing at the various Microsoft events that I attended that Vista, Office 2007, and IE 7 were meant for each other.

This experience of mine working with both OS configurations on fairly high end machines definitely puts some truth to that!

By the way, both the home and the office are Small Business Server 2003 Premium integrated with Exchange 2003 SP2.

The big thing for me at this point is to wait until the more exotic components that I have plugged into the system here in the office has Vista drivers that are no longer in Beta. I will then blow away the box and build on Vista Ultimate as we are licensed for it via our Software Assurance.

In my experience, Vista, Office 2007, and IE 7 rock together!

Happy Vista, Office 2007, and IE 7 Operating!

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists