Recovering Server 2003 with Dynamic Disks via ShadowProtect

One of our non-profit clients needed to replace an aging server with new hardware. Since their licensing covered moving the OS to another box, and the legacy app on that box would not run on Server 2008, we used ShadowProtect to move the OS to new hardware.

Unfortunately, virtualizing the legacy setup was not an option or we would have taken that approach.

The source server was set up with a pair of dynamic disks that were mirrored via an OS software RAID.

When recovering a server that uses a set of Dynamic disks for an OS based software RAID, there is an extra step to the image recovery process.

If the server is a member server, as was the case for us, make sure to reset the local admin password on the server and have that change reflected in the SP image before the image is used for a restore.

Once the SP image has been placed on the new drives, or in our case on a new server, we needed to boot to the Windows Server 2003 CD and log onto the recovery console.

At the recovery console we needed to run the following commands:

1. fixboot c: [Enter]
2. fixmbr [Enter]

This will reset the dynamic disks to basic and allow the OS to boot.

Remember to follow the required post Hardware Independent Restore steps (previous blog post) if moving the OS to new hardware as we were doing here.

StorageCraft’s white paper on dynamic disks:

• StorageCraft: Dynamic Disk – Restore from a ShadowProtect Image.

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

Back in the Saddle!

We took some much needed time off this last week and a half.

So, we will now focus on some neat client projects that are at hand over the next month to two months.

We have a Windows Home Server project for the principle at one of our clients that just moved into their newly built home.

We have a live SBS Migration that we will be scheduling as soon as we can put a couple of days together sometime in the next couple of weeks or so.

We then have a few server migrations, both SBS and Windows Server, to accomplish for our clients.

And, we have some consulting to do on behalf of others that offer SBS I.T. services to their clients.

Things are looking to be quite busy here until at least Christmas! :)

Thanks for reading!

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

OneNote – No 64 bit Print Driver

On one of our Windows 7 RC machines we do a bit of online banking. We need to digitize some of the transactions so as of late we had been using the OneNote “printer” to generate the required Note page and then save to PDF.

While there are solutions that work and are free, some can be somewhat troublesome to install on Windows Vista and/or Windows 7.

• David Rasmussen’s Blog: ONENOTE 64 BIT PRINT DRIVER

It seems that we will not be seeing the ability to send anything to OneNote via the print driver on 64 bit OSs until the next version which should be released sometime next year.

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

OS X: Mac Mail POP Stops Working

We had a call to look into why the built-in OS X mail client was no longer pulling e-mail into the inbox.

The 24” iMac was running OS X 10.5 (Leopard) with most of the recent updates.

The e-mail stopped flowing on July 9 at 16:45hrs (4:45PM).

Click on the gear near the bottom left corner of Mac Mail and then click on Get Account Info and the window that came up would connect to the POP3 server and list all e-mail on the server including any new e-mail not being retrieved.

Because the Account Info dialogue allowed us to connect and view content on the POP3 server, we knew that we were not dealing with an authentication or improper credentials problem.

A search for a solution to the problem took a few different keyword iterations before anything reasonably close came up:

• Tech-Recipes: OS X Mail: POP Suddenly Quits Working

Now, the above link deals with an e-mail that is malformed with a 0KB size that causes the stall.

In our case, the e-mail that was next in line, when sorted by date, had a 35KB size and was a broadcast self-addressed e-mail with a number of BCC addresses in it.

Somehow, that e-mail was causing the hang-up because as soon as it was deleted using the Remove From Server button in the Account Info window the user’s e-mail started to flow.

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

Just A Little Too Shocking – Something So Innocuous Can Be So Dangerous

We all know that static can be deadly to electronic components. Despite this knowledge, we still encounter folks that do not take the appropriate precautions such as antistatic straps and grounding themselves while working on servers, workstations, printers, and more.

Our most costly mistake was the loss of a client’s HP LaserJet that did not take too kindly to having the formatter board touched without a static strap. The printer came up fried after replacing a driveline component in the printer.

So, what brings this post about?

Right now, ShadowProtect is in the process of restoring a client’s SP image from about 11:30 this morning.

The restoration is being run on one of our lab boxes using the Hardware Independent Restore feature since the SBS server hardware has seemingly taken a complete dive into non-responsiveness.

The cause of the death of this particular server was the moving about of a number of desks here in their office. Components were unplugged, things moved around, and in the mix somehow there was enough of a spike passed through the network cabling to cause the server to lock up and not come back.

The box itself is about 4 or so years old. It has seen better days and has been misbehaving on occasion over the last three to six months. So, something happened today to push the box over the edge.

When it comes to moving systems around, it is important to let users know that they need to keep contact with a metal component on the CPU tower before and during any moves taking place.

The system should be properly powered down before removing any cables from the back of the tower.

Once the machines are powered down, it is important to make sure to remain in contact with that metal while removing the VGA, DVI, USB, and network cables.

The A/C cables should be the last things to be removed from both the CPU tower and monitors. Make sure to use the power switch to turn off the power supply if one is present before pulling the plug.

The reverse order should be used to connect everything back together all the while making sure to be grounded during the process.

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

Mobile High Speed Internet – 3G Cellular Modem

We are in the process of equipping all of our technician laptops with a 3G modem.

This enables us to have a laptop at a client site and not need to plug into the client’s network where there are dedicated remote desktops available. We can remote in via RWW and work on the network that way.

We have not completed any tests of Network Access Protection on our SBS 2008 networks yet, so, we do not plug our laptops into any client network unless it is absolutely necessary whether SBS 2003 or SBS 2008 based.

The unit is a Sierra Wireless USB 598. It has a built-in flash drive that kicks in when the unit is plugged in that allows us to install the modem software and drivers via AutoPlay.

If the software and drivers are already on the laptop, the modem initializes and becomes available for connection to the Internet when plugged in to the USB port.

The connection speed was 3.1Mb/Sec (Megabits not Megabytes) during our first test on an old Toshiba running Windows 7 RC x86.

We did not sign into any long term contracts since the main CDMA players here in Canada are promising to have their new HSPA 4G networks available in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The new network will be cross compatible with Rodger’s current network structures giving us access to the iPhone and other high speed goodies when this happens. :)

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

What is Domain Slamming?

We manage most of our client’s domains as part of our service offering.

In this case, one of our long-time clients answered a snail mail letter requesting they renew their .ORG domain. At the time we were not managing their domain.

Well, the letter requesting a domain renewal was not so legit.

The first link is a copy of the letter and the second explains what domain slamming is:

• easyDNS: Domain Registry of Canada (DROC)
• easyDNS on Domain Slamming

They did indeed send out a cheque for the domain renewal and at the time the domain was not locked so the transfer to DROC went through without a hitch.

We are going to unlock everything at DROC and transfer the domain to Domains At Cost which is the registrar we have been using for years as they have great customer service.

It never ceases to amaze us the lengths folks will go to get business.

For larger organizations that have a larger A/P section, something like this could slip under the radar and get paid … whether DROC managed the domain or not.

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

Live SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 Migration – Poll Update

Our blog post:

• Poll – Would you watch a live SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 Migration?

So far, the Yes and the Download Later results are in a close tie for first place among those of you that have responded to the poll.

Please make your opinion known by commenting on the original post or by responding to the poll if SBS 2003 to 2008 migrations are of interest.

Given the current results, the likely path will be to run the live migration and then have the recording available for download at a later date.

Thanks to those of you that have responded so far!

And, thanks for reading. :)

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

Rogue Infection: WARNING! YOUR’RE IN DANGER!

One of our clients received a link via an e-mail from a friend saying that they needed to purchase, download, and install a product to help keep their system running great!

• Rogue AntiSpyware blog: Registry Defender

Now, the machine is virtually unusable due to constant battering by pop ups from a product called System Security 2009 (also a Rogue AntiSpyware blog link). The rogue also prevents any .EXE from running on the system except an IE window that takes us to the “online activation system”.

We are going to flatten this system, extract their data from an earlier ShadowProtect image, and start fresh.

Since much of the infections legitimately found on the system are Trojan related, there can be no guarantees that removing them does not leave a backdoor of some sort into the system.

The desktop as it is now:

And:

Our client new something was well out of sorts due to the misspelling of “YOUR’RE” when the background started showing up.

Note the constant fight between the malware and AVG Free.

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

Windows Live Movie Maker Beta Expiry – Update Needed

We are in the process of working with a quick video taken via one of our digital cameras. It is an AVI and huge, so we need to trim it down to a respectable size.

We are working on a Windows 7 RC workstation with the beta having been previously downloaded and installed.

The above Check for new version button takes us to:

• Microsoft Download Center: Windows Live Movie Maker Beta Update

Now, we shall see if we can do something about the size of the video!

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

Busy Times For Blogging

Things are pretty crazy for us right now.

Posting may be lite for the next week or so!

Thanks for reading!

Philip

Sent from my SBS Integrated Windows Mobile® phone.
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Poll – Would you watch a live SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 Migration?

We are set to migrate our own SBS 2003 network to SBS 2008. The idea is to run the migration steps according to our SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 Migration Guide, with content from our SBS 2008 Setup Checklist, and address some SBS material in my SBS 2008 Blueprint book.

If we broadcast the migration via LiveMeeting, would this be something worth watching for you? We would have the Q&A open during the entire process so that you will be able to ask questions as the process moved along.

Realizing that not everyone will be able to sit through the entire session, we will try to record it and then have it available at a later date. We may also run two separate sessions. The first session would run up to the mailbox move, and the second would run the following day after the move completed. The second session would be the longer of the two.

A poll has been added to the right hand column of the blog to let us know what you think. If the poll answers don’t quite fit, please feel free to leave a comment here.

Thanks for reading!

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

Microsoft IT Environment Health Scanner Released

The EBS tools have been substantially updated and restructured.

The new tool set is called the Microsoft IT Environment Health Scanner and is available for download here:

• Microsoft IT Environment Health Scanner

The EBS tools are used as part of our server and network health checks on the source SBS 2003 server that will be eventually be migrated to SBS 2008.

Our SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 migration guide post:

• MPECS Inc SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 Migration Guide

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 – Troubleshooting Setup – SHFT+F10

A while back, we were having a real struggle with an SBS 2003 to SBS 2008 migration.

• SBS 2003 to 2008 Migration Stall – Event 1001 SBSSetup.exe and CLR20r3 – Workaround Found!

In the above post we were guided by Justin and Wayne through a series of steps to configure SBS 2008 services along with running some troubleshooting software during the install routine.

To get things started, we needed to SHFT+F10 to bring up a command prompt.

From there, all of the common commands we would normally use there are good:

• Services.msc [Enter] (Services snap-in)
• DevMgmt.msc [Enter] (Device Management snap-in)
• TaskMgr [Enter] (Task Manager)
• ipconfig /all [Enter]
• repadmin /? [Enter]

When it comes to finding out which consoles and snap-ins are available via the command line, search the Windows directory for the following extensions:

• *.msc (snap-ins)
• *.cpl (Control Panel Applets)

The most common Control Panel applet we use is

• ncpa.cpl [Enter] (Brings up the NIC listing window)

In Vista, Windows 7, and any Windows Server 2008 and above OS with the Search field, click on the Start button or hit the Start button on the keyboard and start typing to get things moving quickly.

NOTE: Working with the above troubleshooting steps should be practiced in a lab setting unless working on a specific SBS 2008 setup problem!

All it takes is one change during the install routine to either bring down the server or misbehaviours in the server later in its production life.

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 and Disabling IPv6 – Unintended Consequences Like RRAS VPN Wizard Error

While IPv6 may not appear to be critical to the server/client communications relationship, SBS 2008 does require IPv6 for some of the server based components to work correctly.

• Official SBS Blog: Issues After Disabling IPv6 on Your NIC on SBS 2008

One of those unintended consequences may be the inability to configure the PPTP VPN setup in SBS after disabling IPv6 on the server.

The error will state that RRAS is not ready to be configured.

The above blog link contains the proper methodology for disabling IPv6 and part of that process is how to allow PPTP to be configured by the wizard.

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

Happy Canada Day and Independence Day!

We took a bit of a break yesterday, and will be doing so again starting later tomorrow until Monday.

We hope that our fellow Canadians enjoyed the birthday celebrations yesterday!

And, we hope that all of you in the United States have a great Independence Day weekend!

Oh, and one more thing: Please make a point to thank a veteran or security service man or woman too (military, police, fire, ambulance, etc)!

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