Windows 7 unable to access a Windows 2003 Standard - Networking Issue

I encountered a really weird problem today. I have a client running Windows 7 and had no problems accessing any other servers in the network - Windows 2008 R2. However, when trying to access my Windows 2003 domain controller, 192.168.1.9/255.255.248.0 I couldn't even PING it! 

Yes I have internet access, I can access other servers, I have verified that there's no firewall block on either side (both PC and Server).

Other computers in the network can access all the servers including this Windows 2003 domain controller.

I thought it was a network port, and viola! My Laptop was able to ping and connect to the DC with the same port.

Not the server, not the switch, not the port, not the cable, not firewall.... hmmm.... Then I checked the IP address and found the workstation being assigned 192.168.1.255/255.255.248.0

I set the IP address for workstation to another.... and VIOLA! Resolved!
Set the DHCP reservations on the DC to not-assign .255 address, and problem was resolved!
Set Dynamic IP again for the PC. :)

Windows 7 Thinkpad Battery Gauge Blinking &Flicker Problem

A client came to me today reporting of his Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon (oh my.. what a baby!) having a problem...

The battery sign at the bottom right hand corner, where the Lenovo has their battery charging icon and power settings repeatedly blinking and disabling the use of the Windows Taskbar.
I did google-d a little (sorry for the misuse of name), and found a person reporting the same kind of problem (here) where his battery gauge icon flickers all the time.

I tried the following to no avail:

1. Perform System Restore
2. Removed Lenovo System Support Tools
3. SFC /ScanNow
4. Safe-mode and see if the problem persists: it does!
5. Remove all temp files/folders
6. Repaired registry using Ccleaner...

The last thing that helped... Simply re-create the user's profile in Windows 7 and the problem disappeared!
The only problem is, the previous profile is still bugged. Which means, it's profile specific.

Next, I ran chkdsk, and repaired all the issues with the disk, but the problem persists.

Well, I had to transfer all user's files/folders/start-menu items and email configuration.

Problem solved!

Remotely restarting my 'stuck' server

Saturday afternoon, found some alerts.. Yikes! one of the server refuses to replicate backup across the WAN!

Started my mRemoteNG and tried connecting... found out my dear server is 'stuck' with a blank console with no icons and no way to restart 'explorer.exe'.

Solution?

1. Used my virtual machine to VPN into the network using PPTP VPN (already set-up of course). I had to use my virtual machine as I am downloading couple of stuff and I'd hate to get it interrupted. :)
2. Go to start >> Run >> \\(server name)
3. Key in administrator's username and password, once you can get access to the server shared folders, you may then close the screen.
4. Run command prompt, and type the following command: shutdown -f -r -m \\(server name)
5. Note: If VPN doesn't allow access to the server via Computer Name, use the IP address. It'll work.

The screen will look like this below:

The first error, access is denied, happened because I haven't yet log-in to the server.
The second one initiated the shutdown-restart all-right. 
That worked! I can now login to the server back-to-normal using my mRemoteNG!

Customizing Windows Themes for a personal 'touch'

I have always like leaving a fingerprint unique to my taste on the services that I offer. It could be with a documentation that I have generated or a way that users can remember that I've done this job with an extra mile and-a-smile. :)

While waiting for my colleague to take some awesome photos to be used for our systems that we've 'overhauled', I realize I could use the awesome Windows Theme Packs to personalize the systems we set-up!

Theme packs for free, are available from: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-SG/windows/themes 

Some of my Favorites:

1. Carribean
2. Painted Skies
3. Forestry
4. Magic Landscapes 

These are the least intrusive and relaxing themes that I'd like to see. The beauty of applying these:

• Less stressed out users
• Gives more interesting colors to desktop
• Changes wallpaper all the time! :)

Ps. My apologies for the lack of updates. I promise to update more on this blog for 2013 onwards!

Issues with Outlook Message Recall

Message recall function in Outlook doesn’t work with any normal condition. It requires a few things in place:

1) Senders and Recipients must be on Exchange Server environment

2) Senders and Recipients must have Outlook 2003-2010 that supports message recall

3) Senders and Recipients must have Outlook opened or running in the background when message was sent/received.

Therefore,we can conclude that at this point, message recall is only useful for internal organization message recalls especially for people who are more desk-bound, as message recall will run successfully on the sender if Outlook is opened on the recipient side.

A little weird, but it’s true.

More info:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/how-message-recall-works-HA001091760.aspx

Randomizing and Reset TeamViewer ID

* do not do this to infringe copyrights for usage of teamviewer!*

While trying to use teamviewer for home, sometimes i came across the alert stating that teamviewer suspects usage of teamviewer in corporate environment. Eventually, you'll not be able to use Teamviewer anymore!

A work-around would be to do 3 things:

1. Delete teamviewer files
2. Delete teamviewer registry keys
3. Randomize your MAC address
4. Rerun teamviewer

I have created the necessary tools to allow the reset here:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/gkaah687znai5co/Teamviewer%20Restart.7z

Enjoy!

Asus EEE PC, BIS configuration

This is an update on the EEE PC Findings we have and research.
I will update this on our blog, but I thought its good to send you guys an update first.

EEE PC With N-Lite installation is good, we referred to this site and followed ‘almost’ everything…
Site:

On Bill’s EEE PC, 9” Linux Version (4GB, 16GB)
- Drivers have to use the Support CD version of it.
- Downloaded sound drivers DEFINITELY will NOT work.

On Juliana’s EEE PC, 7” Linux Version
- When it gets hot, the mouse will go crazy

Our ISO files have included the following:
- Dial Up Networking
- Themes for Windows

Our ISO files have left out the following:
- Media Player WMV Codec Pack
- DIVx Codec Pack
- Modem Drivers Pack (Needed for Wireless Broadband Modems)

To Re-configure:
- CD-Key for Windows XP Home
- PC Name and Workgroup name