IE (Internet Explorer) is unable to download files after Domain Profile set-up or IE re-installation

Client called today, guess what.. it's just after migration day, and all eyes - and fingers - are upon us.

Background

Workgroup of computers, 10 of them, mix between notebooks and PCs, all running Windows 7, but mix of 32 and 64bits.

We installed a Windows Server 2012 with Essentials services in the domain, and since we do not want to re-do the users profile, we relied on User Profile Wizard (ver 3.7) to migrate individual user computers from the local user account to the domain user account. As usual, we locked the local user account password with our intended local admin password, and perform the necessary migration.

Migration was successful, and users are now connected to the new domain, all files and settings remains. User is happy, and it's all so fast - much like a successful migration day...or so it seems...

Next day, we faced a myriad of problems, and the main issue, is Internet Explorer and Dropbox related.

For DropBox, the issue has to do with registry and permissions, and the appdata info needs to be cleared. I won't go into that since there are tons of info.
But for reference, here is a link from SpiceWorks that depict the exact issue I faced.

Internet Explorer and the woes of download failure

Up next is the issue with Internet Explorer not-downloading... I believe this issue and fix can be applied to any issues related to profile related IE problems where the symptoms shows that nothing can be downloaded by IE. Firefox and Chrome works, just not IE. And as much as we don't use IE like 99% of the time, we still need it to function as it's supposed to!

We proceed to test and go through these steps that I've collected via the net that eventually lead to solve the problem.

Check Symptoms: Test the Size change of Temporary Internet Files

the first litmus test is to go to Internet Explorer Properties, go to General, Browsing History > Settings:
 
You should face an issue with the size. Try changing it to 50, and apply-save the changes... close IE and re-open.

If you encountered issues here, your problem is very severe and be prepared to spend some more time troubleshooting if my fixes below doesn't work.

If no issues encountered, proceed with the next step.

First fix - location change of Temporary Internet Files

Sometimes the issue is related to the temporary internet files location permission. There were times during the migration where the appdata folder structure permissions doesn't get altered accordingly, as such, created problems with regards to the writing of temporary internet data to the folder.

Changing the location to a location like c:\temp folder that you newly create will ensure that:
1) you have full access to the folder
2) eliminate any folder corruption issues that you suspect.

After the change, you'd be required to log-off and re-log in to the user profile. 
After the login, kindly test the download of files again from Internet Explorer. 
If it doesn't work, move along to the next few steps.

Second fix - follow the registry fixes

There were a few commotion in the IT-Pros community when the users faced problems with IE-10 downgrade to IE-9... More details (here)...

In summary, I am going to borrow some of the steps:

1. Login as the affected user
2. Run regedit
3. Navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\InternetSettings\5.0
4. Delete (or rename) the following keys: Cache, LowCache
5. Open IE – IE will automatically create new Cache and LowCache keys
6. Navigate to Internet Options > General > Browsing History > Settings and try amend the size of download temp folder 50mb
7. Close and restart IE 

there is no need to restart PC, but IE needs to be restarted.
test the downloading of files after IE is restarted, and if it still fails...
let's go to the final step which should summarize our troubleshooting

Third fix - running IE as an Admin

Right click, run IE as an administrator... and then head to the settings where temporary internet files are located.

Set the size of download folder to (if it was 50mb, change it to 100mb). Basically, just change it to another settings.

Apply the changes and restart IE.

You'd be glad that it works after the settings!

In summary...

It's no easy task to be a sysadmin!
My migration wasn't that smooth, but oh-well, I am depending on a lot of resources made by people whom I have not met, who speaks different languages, and are just good-hearted enough to share... I am just glad that I have this community in the web.

Applying a suitable encryption tool for systems

My client recently got upgraded and requires to be audited to ensure that it meet certain standard before further business activity can be conducted with their biggest client in the finance sector.

As their IT provider and solutions architect, I was called to the meeting and one thing that alarmed them was the lack of personal mobile device security that was not implemented for the users.

In particular - mobile and laptop encryption.

I did some reading and searches, believed that encryption will reduce the overall speed of the system, thus my fear of inefficiency and as such, never gone into encrypting the entire disk on the systems.

After reading through several posts on the solutions available, I realized that it's not that scary, and I decided to venture into the world of encrypting my laptops - at least for work!

Google-ing around the internet finds me a long-standing encryption software - TrueCrypt...which at this point at 2014-November, is dead... As such, I had to go through this post, and read through all the reports and comments all the way to the bottom.

Since I need to standardize between MAC and Windows Encryption, I decided to rest on VeraCrypt at the moment.

As of it's install at this point in time, it's currently set at version 1.00e

I did contemplate: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bitlocker-truecrypt-encryption,2587.html

But after seeing so many people commenting/lamenting on Microsoft's bit-locker issues with releasing and revealing keys to NSA (not that it matters to me from where I am based...), I decided to give it a miss. Moreover, I needed a generic platform that can run on both MAC and WIN.

First try is on my existing Windows 7 Pro SP-1 32-bit, 4-GB of memory, on i3-370 CPU.
A 500-GB HDD - 300GB System partition (to be encrypted), and only 150GB used.
I am using AES encryption, with the standard keys configuration...

So-far so good, I have to wait 26-hrs for the work to complete. As such, I will be leaving my system over-night for this work to complete.

I shall update again if I encounter any issues.

Woes from an Office 365 OneDrive and Sharepoint Sync user...

I have never preached for a technology that's so evidently lacking in stability than what Microsoft is offering with OneDrive for business and their Sharepoint Sites.

Overall, I do think there's great potential in this solution that Microsoft offers for the SMB market. Editing of data on the web, browser, local sync of files with the cloud, large storage capacity.. Having said all of these, there are lots of limitations to the sync of files and folders.

In this post, I will be addressing a few specific issues with the sync from Office 365 cloud to local PC.

The most common problems related to sync are:

1. Sync error with regards to permissions to access some files/folders.
2. Sync error with regards to inability repair any 'un-sync-able' files.
3. In-ability to sync files from Sharepoint or OneDrive For business
4. Repeated error even when repair of sync is initiated
5. Repeated error with Microsoft Office Document Uploader tool\
6. Problem with system slow-down after OneDrive for Business is set-up
7. Having multiple version of Ms Office (older Ms Office, and New OneDrive for business via Office 2013)

I will continually add more guides and information as I encounter more error messages in time to come.



1) Sync error with regards to permissions to access some files/folders.

The issue with permissions is generally users given access to a particular document storage location in sharepoint sites but not sufficient for users to download.
things to take note:

• check and ensure that files and folders to the user is given a read permission instead of just view. 
• View allows only viewing on the cloud web-based ms office, but read on the other hand provides access for the sync tool to download and synchronize the files/folders.

2) Sync error with regards to inability repair any 'un-sync-able' files.

This issue is related to the corruption of the sync-ed data. For this to be repaired, always try the repair tool by right-clicking the Cloud-Icon (OneDrive) for business.

The repair tool will back-up the data before it performs a re-sync. However, if there are consistently errors with the repair, say, you did it the 2nd-time and error re-occurred, you can try going this route:

Right click the OneDrive App, and stop syncing the folder that is having problem.

Then proceed to the C:\Users\(the user account)\Sharepoint and identify the folder of previously sync-ed data. Then rename the folder with an additional "_2015feb09" for ease of future identification.


Stop the OneDrive for business application > go to the taskmgr, look for:
1) groove (if this is not stopped, cannot rename the SPW folder)
2) msosync (if this is not stopped, cannot clear the OfficeFileCache Folder)
Stop these 2 tasks and services (if-any)

Then, Go to this location: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\Spw

SPW = SharePoint Workspace

You may proceed with renaming the folder from Spw to Spw.2014-09-01, this way the Spw folder database will be refreshed when the application is re-run.

Then proceed with deleting everything from this folder:
"C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\15.0\OfficeFileCache


Note that a restart of system is recommended to make the OneDrive Start from scratch.



(I just verified that I don't need to restart to get all to work. Just need to click the OneDrive App on the PC, and then login to my Office365 to SYNC the folder I'd like the app to synchronize.)
3) In-ability to sync files from Sharepoint or OneDrive For business

The only way we can use Sharepoint Sites sync or OneDrive for business sync to the local desktop is to ensure you have done the following:

1) You've run the Office 365 verification tool
2) You've installed the OneDrive for Business app

Both 2 options are available at the

a) login to Office 365
b) go top-right corner, click your photo or profile icon
c) Office 365 Settings > Software and,
d) perform the necessary work

When all of these have been set-up and some-how the sync button isn't available or is unable to be clicked (no effect when clicked), the issue could be related to the Groove Browser Helper Object (Grooveex.dll) BHO in the Internet Explorer Settings.

Note that the initiation of sync is made available only through internet explorer first. And you will definitely need to ensure that OneDrive for business is already installed and is able to run.

To fix the sync, go to add-ins for Internet Explorer (IE-10 or IE-11) Only.
- click the Gear at the top right corner
- click on manage add-ons
- scroll and look for Microsoft Corporation and search for Groove BHO, it should be disabled at the moment, and no matter how you click enable, it'll not work.
- if you look at the details, you'd see that it points to this location irregardless of which version of Ms Office 2010 or 2013 that you install (be it 32-bit or 64-bit).
Location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 
- locate grooveex.dll, rename it to grooveex.old. IF you encountered error, that's because processes are running, so ensure that all Groove tasks are stopped in Task Manager, all Ms Office Sync MSOSYNC tasks are closed, and close any opened programs as well, especially Outlook.
- once grooveex.dll file has been renamed to grooveex.old, you may proceed with restart of system.
- when all is boot-up, open up Internet Explorer, go to Manage Add Ons again, and you should now be able to 'enable' Groove BHO and any other Microsoft Related Add-ons in the category. 

That's it! After the enabling, proceed to go to Sharepoint and OneDrive and do the sync. This issue seems to affect only users who utilizes both Microsoft Office 2010 and OneDrive for Business 2013 edition (download from the Software in the Office 365 Settings).

More to come in near future for problem 4, 5 and 6.

WIP - the 27 checks of a great notebook!

Every time my client asks me for a recommendation of a notebook, I'd ask them to visit and find what they like and then come tell me the models... But first impression is really the key, plus sales pitches and hard-to-get-by offers are too irresistible at times! as such, I am here to define the ideal 27-checks on what an ideal notebook should be like... So here goes nothing!



Check #1

The screen!
- brightness
- reflective ness
- resolution

We see the screen through the lifetime of the notebook. In good times and bad times! Gosh, get a beautiful screen pls!

Check #2
- hard and solid hinges

The key to lasting notebook is its hinges and how they are placed. I love the thinkpad and their solid metal hinges. The screen is the thing that is opened and closed all the time.. Good notebook-solid hinges.

Check #3
- nice feel keyboard
- large enough keys

You need to type on the keyboard a lot. Do note the keyboard feel. Press on keys, hear the taps. Check for holes in between keys for easily trapped hair and dirt - and figure how to clean!


Check #4
- double click touchpad
- smooth and clearly seen left and right click

I hate how the new notebooks are imitating Apple's rendition of the single click mouse. They can master it with perfection, but the general manufacturers simply can't achieve it!

Check #5
- operating system: professional or business

Irregardless of home or office use, any home or non pro version equates to possibility of less longevity and less of a robustness to the machine.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone


- an entry made with my MiniJoke

Enabling password authentication on my Fuji Xerox Copier with centreware 1.8

Client called me and complained... why can't I save my scanned documents over to my server share!?

My copier is a Fuji Xerox DocuCentre-IV 3060. It's running on Centreware version 1.8

At the moment, the SMB and FTP share works but there was no password field. I can't even import the dialist.csv file.

My colleagues scour through the user and administration manual to no avail.

Alas, I decided to contact the Fuji Xerox technical helpdesk in Singapore, they're pretty efficient I must say. Next day call-back, they hound you until they get to speak with you. Very impressed with how prompt they've been.

1. machine digital certification and create new self signed cert.
2. then apply. 
3. go to SSL/TLS settings
4. then tick on enable SSL/TLS communication

Viola! the authentication screen appeared.

the Address book entry can be found in:

1. going to the address book tab
2. click edit on the entry
3. scroll down to the fields:
   

glad that it's all resolved now. do note to key in the right domain username and password.

in summary, i believe Centreware is trying to ensure that passwords do not get hacked or retrieved as the copier will impose as a security risk/back-door in enterprises where the copier has an entry point to the server. with this configuration password is encrypted and communication between copier to server is also secured.

Facing troubles with Internet Explorer 9 to 11 download woes

Did migration for a client from the local profile onto a domain profile just a week ago. After which, she wasn't able to download any items from web pages any more. Chrome and Firefox works, just not Internet Explorer. We're talking about Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP-1 here.

Started my google searches but couldn't zero-in to a specific issue until I found this:


related link - http://bremiclem.com/losa/2013/04/10/ie-temporary-internet-files-corruption

Apparently, the issue bottoms down to a corrupted user profile and something to do with permissions instead of the application itself.

The link didn't fully fix the issue, I still had to perform changes to the settings. Having said that, though the blog link above detailed a different kind of problem from what I was facing, I encountered the similar issue that's highlighted. Meaning, if I were to go into the temporary internet files configuration, I too, can't make the changes to the size to be saved on the system.

 

Website data settings will continually reset the size of disk space used to 0 MB.
The solution... 

1. renaming and HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\InternetSettings\5.0
1.  Delete (or rename, if you want to be cautious) the following keys:
1. Cache
1. LowCache
2. deleting: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\InternetSettings\5.0\Cache\Extensible Cache
3. changing the temporary internet files download location to c:\temp (or any other folder as long as you have permission for read/write/modify to the folder)
4. restart the PC!

That's it!

All is well for me right after!