Create a site-to-site VPN between your FRITZ!Box and Azure
There are quite a few articles out there that cover the subject. Nevertheless, there are some improvements in Azure that simplify the whole process. The most important improvement is, that you can now use a FQDN name to define your Local Network Gateway instead of a...
Install Update Rollup 1 for System Center 2022 Virtual Machine Manager
Sounds like an easy task, doesn't it? That's what I thought. I'm running a two-nodes VMM 2022 cluster. The small UR1 (KB5019202 & KB5019203) update comes as two msp files. One is the server update, the other one is for the console. Virtual Machine Manager server...
Raise File Server Resource Manager report limits with PowerShell
It's been a long time not using File Server Resource Manager. But today I needed it. I needed a report about image files on a fileserver, which has a lot of files. I set up the "Files by File Group" report in FSRM > Storage Reports Management > Generate Reports...
An error occured while enabling automatic rebinding of certificate in IIS
In order to use autorenewal for certificates used by IIS you need to "Enable Automatic Rebind of Renewed Certificate" in the "Server Certificates" section of IIS. More information on Certificate Rebind is available here:...
Unarchive archived certificates with PowerShell
Usually when renewing certificates old ones get archived automatically. Using the default view options you don't even see them in the mmc. However, sometimes it is necessary to bring an archived certificate back to life. To view archived certificates in the mmc, do...
The disaster with the Windows 11 taskbar
I recently installed Windows 11 at home. Welcome to the colorful MAC world - at least that's what it looks like. Microsoft has done a lot for the optics, e.g. removed all basic functionality. The constant trend towards more and more immersion, which found its way into...
How to batch-handle mounted media with SCVMM managed VMs
When remediating Hyper-V clusters with System Center Virtual Machine Manager it sometimes happens that there are still isos mounted to virtual dvd drives and that, therefore, vms cannot be live migrated to other hosts. Here are 2 snippets to see which vms have isos...
Unify DHCP scope and DNS update settings across all authorized servers in an Active Directory domain
While managing multiple dhcp and dns servers (60+) I came across the need to unify DHCP scope settings, DNS A and PTR record registration, lease duration and DHCP DNS update credentials. So I wrote a PowerShell script to do this task on all authorized DHCP servers in...
How to get the ‘real’ last logon time of an Active Directory user
Yes, Active Directory provides details on when an active directory user last logged on. However, in a multi domain controller environment it may be tricky to get this information. If you're on a single domain controller domain you can use Active Directory Users and...
The system cannot find the file specified error while enabling Bitlocker
After buying a new harddrive, disabling bitlocker on the old one, moving the data to the new one and booting the system I wanted to re-enable Bitlocker. But all I got after running manage-bde -on c: -rp was this: ERROR: An error occurred (code 0x80070002): The system...
Tape Label Studio 2019 is on its way
After 2 years of development Tape Label Studio 2019 will arrive this quarter. Here are some of the changes: Complete new code base and design. No more messy layouts on UHD displays or when using scaling. Everything looks shiny and new. Replaced old xml file base with...
ioBroker unter Windows installieren
Ich möchte in diesem Beitrag gar nicht darauf eingehen, was ioBroker ist oder tut. Es soll nur darum gehen, ioBroker unter Windows zu installieren und zum Schluss eine laufende Instanz zu haben. Voraussetzung ist einzig eine laufende Windows Instanz. Ich verwende...
Neue Serie: SmartHome
Wer meinen Blog kennt, wird sich jetzt wundern. Zum einen ist dies der erste Beitrag in deutscher Sprache und zum anderen geht es mal um etwas ganz anderes: SmartHome. Irgendwann vor 10 Jahren (mehr oder weniger) bin ich in mein Eigenheim, eine Bestandsimmobilie,...
Unknown error (0x80041024) in Data Protection Manager when taking a Hyper-V backup of a unix machine
While migrating all Hyper-V virtual machines from an old cluster environment to a new hyper converged system environment I noticed that one of the unix based virtual machines couldn't be backed up anymore. The job simply failed all the time without ever synchronizing....
Configuring DHCP Option 119 (Domain Search List) on a Windows DHCP Server
When working with Windows based clients you usually don't come across DHCP option 119 because Windows just doesn't use it. The Domain Search List for Windows is configured using GPO and not DHCP. But if you also use Apple OS or Linux OS based systems you may want to...
Adding DHCP Option 119 (Domain Search List) to a Windows DHCP Server
While trying to configure a new DHCP scope in Windows Server 2016 I noticed that there is no DHCP Option 119 available. But adding it on your own just takes a few simple steps. Logon to your DHCP server, open the DHCP Console. Right click IPv4 and select "Set...
Update System Center Data Protection Manager 2016 to 1801
In February the first System Center Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) release has been published and now I got the time to install it. So the most recent DPM Version is not 2016 UR4 anymore but 1801. How to get it? The new release is available from the Volume Licensing...
SQL Server Update: The Database Engine system data directory in the registry is not valid
While upgrading Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP2 to CU11 I got this error: Action required: Use the following information to resolve the error, and then try the setup process again. Feature failure reason: An error occurred during the setup process of the feature. Error...
Configure Data Protection Manager 2016 AntiVirus Exclusions on Windows Server 2016
When using an AntiVirus product on your Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2016 server you have to configure it appropriately. What does that mean? Technet says: Disable real-time monitoring - On the DPM server, disable real-time monitoring by the...
Configure SendAs Permissions on an Office365 Distribution Group using PowerShell
I don't know why, but currently the Exchange Control Panel of Office365 doesn't work correctly, but I needed to configure SendAs permissions on a distribution group. However, PowerShell is a good fallback when it comes to configure O365. When you want to connect to...
An error occurred while attempting to connect to a Hyper-V server
While setting up a new Hyper-V failover cluster I got an error when trying to connect using the Hyper-V manager console: An error occurred while attempting to connect to server "[computername]". Check that the Virtual Machine Management service is running and that you...
How to install all roles and features of one server on another
Ever wanted to install all the roles and features that are installed on one server on another server? Easy. Just copy and paste the following command into an elevated powershell on the server where the roles and features are installed. Then copy the output and paste...
Where did the SSL Certificate details in Chrome 56+ go?
In Chrome versions 55 and earlier users could check the SSL Certificate details of a website clicking the lock icon in the address bar. Well, this information has been moved to the Security tab in the developer tools. You can go there using the F12 key on your...
How to recover data from a deleted, BitLocker enabled partition? – 2017 Edition
In the mid of 2013 I wrote a post about recovering a deleted, BitLocker enabled Partition using Windows Server 2012. Back then the state of the art encryption method was AES 128. Now that we got Windows 10 and XTS-AES 256 encryption some people seem to have problems...
How to purge Kerberos tickets of the system account
... or: How to update group membership information of the computer account? When updating Active Directory group membership of your users you usally ask them to logoff and logon again - or even to reboot the machine. You don't tell them why, you just tell them to do...
Data Protection Manager Database Backup fails with Invalid Command
From time to time you need to backup your DPM Database manually. I used to simply run the command DpmBackup.exe -db But when I tried now I only got the error Error: Invalid command -db. There are a lot of posts out there covering this issue, telling you should include...
Tape Label Studio 1.0 is now available!
Today (July, 1 2014) Tape Label Studio 1.0 has been released and is available for download at www.tapelabelstudio.com. Tape Label Studio Easily create customizable and cheap Tape Barcode Labels for LTO, Worm, etc. Download free trial Ordner now...
ADThumbnails 1.0 released
ADThumbnails version 1.0 has been released and is available for download at http://www.normanbauer.com/shop/products/adthumbnails/. Release notes Initial release Features View, change and clear photos of single users with the fast ADThumbnails...
Ambiguous Name Resolution (ANR) for LDAP
What is ANR? Ambiguous Name Resolution (ANR) is an efficient search algorithm associated with Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) clients that allows for objects to be bound without complex search filters. ANR is useful when you are locating objects and...
How to get some information on Bitlocker using Visual Basic and WMI?
I have been asked on my post about How to get some information on Bitlocker using VBScript and WMI? if I could provide a solution using Visual Basic. Here it is: [code lang="vb"] Imports System.Management 'Need to add System.Management reference to solution Module...
LTO Barcode Label Generator 1.4.0 released
Today (October, 28 2013) LTO Barcode Label Generator version 1.4.0 has been released and is available for download at https://www.normanbauer.com/shop/products/lto-barcode-label-generator/. Release notes slightly redesigned user interface added advanced view,...
Microsoft stops MCM, MCSM and MCA trainings and certifications
According to an email I (and probably all other current MCMs) received this morning around 7 am (MEST) from Shelby Grieve (Director, Certification Product Management) states that "Microsoft will no longer offer Masters and Architect level training rotations and will...
LTO Barcode Label Generator 1.3.0 released
Today (August, 23 2013) LTO Barcode Label Generator version 1.3.0 has been released and is available for download at https://www.normanbauer.com/shop/products/lto-barcode-label-generator/. Release notes added antialiasing option and switched antialiasing off by...
How to recover data from a deleted, BitLocker enabled partition?
Since I ran across this problem some time ago and I couldn't find some good information about the topic I decided to write this how to. We'll start with a 20GB partition on one of my drives. I moved some data there, about 450MB, just so we have actually data on it....
Error in Data Protection Manager 2012 after installation of Update Rollup 3 for System Center 2012 Service Pack 1
On July, 23 2013 Microsoft released Update Rollup 3 for System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 containing Data Protection Manager version 4.1.3415.0. After the installation of this update rollup on DPM 2012 I could not update the agents from the DPM console. Protection...
LTO Barcode Label Generator 1.2.0 released
Today (July, 20 2013) LTO Barcode Label Generator version 1.2.0 has been released and is available for download at https://www.normanbauer.com/shop/products/lto-barcode-label-generator/. Release notes completly redesigned way to enter barcode - specify the...
Data Protection Manager 2012 Setup: Error 4309 while installing SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1
I just needed to do a fresh installation of Microsoft System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager SP1 on a fresh Windows Server 2012. I went throug all steps of the installation wizard, installed all prerequisites and started the installation. But then I got this...
LTO Barcode Label Generator 1.1.0 released
Today (June, 07 2013) LTO Barcode Label Generator version 1.1.0 has been released and is available for download at https://www.normanbauer.com/shop/products/lto-barcode-label-generator/. Release notes added beta support for Avery 6571 / 6577 labels - please...
LTO Barcode Label Generator 1.0.2 released
Today LTO Barcode Label Generator version 1.0.2 has been released and is available for download at https://www.normanbauer.com/shop/products/lto-barcode-label-generator/. Release notes: fixed background color for numerical characters when using vertical alignment...
Configuration error in SharePoint 2013 Product Preparation Tool
While running the SharePoint 2013 Product Preparation Tool on Windows Server 2012 I got this error: There was an error during installation. The tool was unable to install Application Server Role, Web Server (IIS) Role. [...] Application Server Role, Web Server (IIS)...
DPM 2012 SP1: Protection Agent cannot be installed
When trying to manually install a Microsoft System Center 2012 SP1 Data Protection Manager Agent you may receive this error: Protection Agent cannot be installed on machine where DPM is installed This problem occurs when you're trying to install the agent from...
System Center 2012 SP1 Operations Manager: Datawarehouse configuration failed to install
While installing Microsoft System Center 2012 SP1 Operations Manager I got following error: In the log I could see that Setup could not create the Datawarehouse database: EXEC(@sql);: Threw Exception.Type: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException, Exception Error Code:...
“No such object” when configuring TPM on Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8
Scenario: You have a Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 computer with TPM and you store your Bitlocker recovery and TPM owner information in Active Directory. When trying to configure the TPM hardware by using tpm.msc you get this error: Turn on the TPM security...
Cannot insert duplicate key error while upgrading SCCM 2012 to SP1
The following error occurred during SP1 update of Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: ERROR: SQL Server error: [23000][2627][Microsoft][SQL Server Native Client 11.0][SQL Server]Violation of PRIMARY KEY constraint 'CollectionQueryRuleTables_PK'. Cannot...
Check objectVersion on all Domain Controllers after schema update with PowerShell
Just copy and paste into PowerShell (Active Directory Module for Windows PowerShell) to get the version of AD schema on all domain controllers in current domain:
Growing in numbers … Growing in speed … – Spam comments
2012-12371 2012-11358 2012-10178 2012-09297 2012-08380 2012-07389 2012-06301 2012-05181 2012-0496 2012-03267 2012-02181 2012-0175 12 months3074 2011-12105 2011-11119 2011-1060 2011-0940 2011-0850 2011-0771 2011-0628 2011-0510 2011-0421 2011-0328 2011-0212 2011-014 12...
No support for LTO6 tape drives yet – HP revises firmware for tape libraries and autoloaders
In December HP released firmware upgrades to all its major tape libraries and autoloaders to support the new LTO 6 generation drives. Today I received a brand new HP StoreEver MSL LTO-6 Ultrium 6250 SAS-Drive and before upgrading the library I wanted to install the...
The way through Data Protection Manager 2012 SP1 upgrade
Yesterday I installed SP1 on my DPM 2012 server - see the screenshots below. The setup itself was ok, but the problems began when updating the protection agents on Windows Server 2012 systems. Welcome Screen of Microsoft System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager...
Error 18054 and Error 777971002 in SQL log after moving System Center Operations Manager 2007 Database
I just needed to move the System Center Operations Manager 2007 Database from one SQL server to another. I followed Kevin Holman's instructions step by step and ran into the same problem he was noticing after the move. The error I got was: Error 777971002, severity...
normanbauer.com: Now promoted on The Master Blog
A few days ago my blog (www.normanbauer.com) got linked on "The Master Blog" - a website providing news on the Microsoft Certified Master. Just have a look at it at http://blogs.technet.com/b/themasterblog/ in the "Blogs - Directory Masters" section: Download as...
Various issues after installing Windows Management Framework 3.0 (KB2506143) on computer running SCCM 2012 agent
Last week I experienced some issues after installing Windows Management Framework 3.0 (KB2506143). I could not manage my Hyper-V Servers (the console kept saying there was no Hyper-V role installed on that server), group policies were not applied and WMI did not work....
How to get a list of all tapes a System Center DPM Server knows about?
I have a long list of DPM tapes - a very long list... and most of them are offline. But how would you know what data is stored on what tape? Jeff Wouters wrote a blogpost about it at...
How to avoid Windows 7 language choice dialog in multilanguage image deployment with SCCM 2007?
This is just a quick review of a forum post at Microsoft System Center Forums because of a question that a reader of my website had (see the comments). The initial problem was as following: I'm using an english win7 ent wim with german language pack intergrated....
Multiple SSL sites with Windows Server 2012
In Windows Server 2008 R2 and earlier versions you could always bind one ssl certificate to one site / ip. Because https traffic would normally terminate on port 443 you could only deploy seperate sites on different ips. But what if you had only one ip address? Well,...
No mails these days…
Due to hurricane Sandy I cannot receive or send any mails these days. It seems that an Atlantic Metro datacenter in New York is offline because of power outtage (Backup datacenter in NJ is offline as well). Please contact me via Facebook...
Strange behavior with Data Protection Manager End User Recovery feature or not?
I recently activated the End User Recovery feature of Data Protection Manager 2012. I did the schema extension - which by the way added a ms-BackupSrv-Share attribute a ms-ProductionSrv-Share attribute a ms-SrvShareMapping class and a MS-ShareMapConfiguration...
SQL Server 2012: Always On and SQL Server authentication
Here is just a small problem I experienced while adding databases with SQL Server authentication enabled (used for some php websites) to an availability group. Steps I took to add the databases: Add all logins to the secondary server (SQL Management Studio >...
Got my MCM certificate
I finally received my Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory certificate. Read the whole story at www.becomingamaster.com
Meet the MCMs and MCAs
As a benefit of the master certification you can choose to be listed on the "Meet the MCMs and MCAs" website http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/master.aspx#meet. So here I am. But I also got my certificate and my transcript got updated now. Show as...
Restore deleted computer object including BitLocker recovery information
Recovery of Active Directory objects became much easier with the introduction of AD recycle bin feature in Windows Server 2008 R2. Simply use the restore-adobject PowerShell cmdlet and you're done. But what if you are using BitLocker with its keys stored in AD? You...
Error while running SharePoint 2010 Products Configuration Wizard
The wizard aborts at about 10% in step 9. Everything I could find in the logs was this here: Unknown SQL Exception 1468 occurred. Additional error information from SQL Server is included below. The operation cannot be performed on database "Sharepoint2010_UsageDB"...
Hot to fix Sharepoint Event 6398 “Could not find stored procedure ‘dbo.Search_GetRecentStats’.”?
While migrating my Sharepoint 2010 farm from Microsoft SQL Server 2005 to a SQL Server 2012 'Always On' environment I found the following error in the eventlog: The Execute method of job definition...
Got my welcome kit
Just a few minutes ago I received my welcome kit, a plaque honoring my master certification. See the pictures below... [nggallery id=4]
Norman Bauer – now a Microsoft Certified Master
Hey there... After a long long way I am finally a Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008 R2, Directory! It took me more than one year of preparation, a long travel to Redmond, WA, 2 weeks of the most-in-depth training I ever had and 3 exams each of them...
Time to be a Master
On April 4th I took my second exam again. Yesterday I got the results saying I am finally a Microsoft Certified Master! Well, updates on this will follow in a few weeks, now it is time for vacation - see you at the west coast ;)
How to get the number of volumes used by DPM 2010?
Just a quick hit that tells you how many volumes Microsoft Data Protection Manager uses. I got 848... [code lang="powershell"] $dpmserver = $env:computername #localhost or type your dpm server's name here $dpmdisks = get-dpmdisk -dpmservername $dpmserver $volumecount...
How to manage GPOs with vbScript?
You can do really really cool stuff with gpos in vbScript. I will show you how to export reports and give you some examples what else can be done going the vbScript way… The Group Policy Management console in Windows offers you the possibility to export reports about...
How to mark a DPM tape containing active recovery points as free
When trying to mark a tape that contains active recovery points as free in Data Protection Manager you'll receive an error like this: The selected tapes cannot be marked as free because they belong to protection groups. You need to stop protection of the associated...
Impressions of Seattle and the Master Training
I uploaded some pictures from Seattle and from the training. You can find them right below or by following the impressions link in the menu: [nggallery id=3]
MCM Directory R14 Complete with Several New MCMs!
Ryan Conrad said: We recently completed our most recent MCM Directory rotation where we had 23 participants. The largest in several years! Please congratulate the following individuals who have successfully completed all of the required exams during the rotation: •...
Passed the lab exam
Last night I got the results for my lab exam and I passed it!!!!!!! I passed the Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008 R2, Directory Certification Lab. I am soooo happy! Now I just need to retake the second written exam, pass it, and I will be a MCM.
Back at home
I just got back home. After a very enjoyable flight from Seattle to Frankfurt (the plane was almost empty and I had a complete row for myself) and another not-that-enjoyable flight from Frankfurt to Munich (I got rebooked to a later flight because employees at...
Lab exam over
I just finished my lab exam. This was THE HARDEST THING I EVER DID! Really, I'm not joking. This was harder than the Abitur (German university entrance qualification), harder than my graduation, harder than every exam I ever had to take. BUT... it was really fun. I...
Second exam failed…
Well, yes, I failed the second exam. :-( At least this is not the end. Tomorrow I will do better - I promise (at least I hope so)! Time to do some last preparations for the 8 hour lab exam, get some real good food and a real good rest tonight... I'll need to be fit...
Training over now…
It is Friday evening, the training is over now - just 2 exams left. These were 2 really great weeks. Now I have just a few hours to review a whole week of pki, frs, dfs and backup stuff. Tomorrow morning will be the second written exam...
First exam passed!
Passed the first exam today! Tricky questions and I did not feel very comfortable with the exam, but at least I made it! Rest of the day was all about pki. So the second week will cover pki, dfs, frs and disaster recovery, followed by the second exam on Saturday.
First week over
Sorry! The first week is over now, and I did not post a single word on it. Well this week was really stuffed with lots of information on AD, DNS, Authentication, Replication, Trusts, Sites, RODC and a lot more. We just started at 8 every morning, finished at around 6...
Last weekend before training
Yesterday I arrived in Seattle - after a long and boring flight from Frankfurt. Sorry about that, but I have to say it: I hate kids - really! Especially those ones that push and pull your seat all the time. Ok, long flights are always annonying, but now that I arrived...
Time to start
6:00 a.m. Munich Airport. This will be a very long day. My first flight this morning will leave around 8 to Frankfurt. Than around 11 a.m. I am going to finally leave Germany for 19 days. I think I'll arrive in Seattle at 1 p.m. PST - at least I hope so.
SharePoint Health Analyzer: The server farm account should not be used for other services.
The Sharepoint Health Analyzer has "red" reportings, shown in the Central Administration: The error details for the "The server farm account should not be used for other services." message are: {FarmAccount}, the account used for the SharePoint timer service and the...
How to fix broken images after mySite URL change in SharePoint 2010?
Here is a small PowerShell script to fix the pictureurl for all userprofiles after changing the mySite Url:
One week left…
I have almost finished my pre-readings. Of course there are still some things that can be read, but I will do so on my flight to Seattle. I just ordered a brand new Kindle to take my readings with me. I hope the in-flight-entertainment will be boring so I'll have time...
Creating profile synchronization connections in Sharepoint 2010 fails with error
When creating profile synchronization connections in Sharepoint 2010, for example as a part of configuring the profile synchronization service (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee721049.aspx) you may receive one of the following errors: Error Unable to...
How to get detailed information on Windows boot and shutdown performance in PowerShell?
In Windows 7 administrators have the possibility to monitor boot and shutdown performance by reviewing event logs. The most common one is located at Event Viewer > Application and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Diagnostics-Performance >...
Happy new year!
Now it's 2012. To me it means there are only 5 weeks left. Some months ago, when I started this blog, February was so far away. But now is's just a couple of weeks. Time to finish my preparations...
Active Directory Troubleshooting Workshop
There hasn't been much to say in the last few weeks, but this week I had my Active Directory Troubleshooting Workshop at Microsoft Germany. 4 days full of useful information on tools, recovery, fixing and Active Directory itself. Well, I already knew most of these...
Apps won’t open after update to iOS 5
A few months ago I wrote a blog post about apps not opening any more after updating Apple iOS from 4.3.2 or below to 4.3.3 or higher. Now that iOS 5 has been released this problem seems to be still persistent and hasn't been fixed in iOS 5. While updating your iPhone,...
How to change BitLocker recovery password with vbScript?
Related to my last post about how to change BitLocker recovery password from an elevated command prompt here is how you can achieve the same result with vbScript and WMI. This script is from Microsoft TechNet: BitLocker Drive Encryption Operations Guide: Recovering...
How to change BitLocker recovery password?
Sometimes you need to give a BitLocker recovery password to one of your customers. For example when you cannot access the computer remotely. It also happens that passwords get revealed accidentally or intentionally. While either scenario can be a security lack you may...
iPhone apps won’t open
In May I wrote a post about iPhone apps not opening after updating iOS to version 4.3.3. (iPhone apps won’t open after update to 4.3.3, complete post and comments). Now that Apple iOS versions 4.3.4 and 4.3.5 have been published this problem seems to still exist when...
Opening a site in SharePoint Designer 2010 fails with unspecified error
When opening a site in Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2010 the following error occurs: "The server could not complete your request. For more specific information, click the Details button." But when clicking the "Details" button, a window opens that does not specify...
How to configure item level recovery for Sharepoint 2010 with DPM 2010
I know that there are already a couple of articles covering this issue - but since I ran into trouble with exactly this configuration issue I realized that these articles do not cover everything. For example the problems you can run into. To keep the steps to be taken...
Becoming a master. – But why?
Becoming a master. - why? The Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) program offers exclusive, advanced training and certification on Microsoft server technologies to seasoned IT professionals. Complete the program and you can help validate your skills as a technology...
Being a candidate now
Now that all dues are paid I finally became a candidate. A few days ago I received the welcome letter, with information on hotels, schedule, flights, parking, and a lot more in it. The rotation will be from February, 3rd till February 19th. Being there 2 days earlier...
Time to pay
After receiving the acceptance mail, my CIO paid the program fees yesterday. I will attend the rotation in February 2012. So I'm going to travel to the States from February 6th till February 19th. Now that everything is fixed, I can book my flights and the hotel -...
Telephone interview
I just had a 45 minutes talk to the Microsoft Certified Master on Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory program manager - and here are the results: I AM IN! My application was accepted and I can attend one of the next rotations in October or February. So I think it will...
Telephone interview next Monday
Last night I received a mail from the program manager. He is on vacation at the moment but he will review my documents on Monday and is asking for a telephone interview on Monday in the evening hours. Now I have to wait the whole weekend - that is so nail biting...
Documents uploaded
I just uploaded my documents to the sharepoint website I previously created an account for. They'll need about 5 days to review my resume and the documents provided. Now it is not up to me anymore...
Application results: Part 2
After 4 mails and 1 call I got a second "Application: Results" mail last night. I passed it! Congratulations! You have met the pre-requisite exam requirements [...] Now I will have to create an account for a sharepoint site, where I can upload my resume and...
Application results: Part 1
Last night I got the results for my application. We’re sorry. You currently have not passed all of the Microsoft Certified Exams required for the Microsoft Certified Master Program. You are currently missing: Exam 70-219 or 70-297 Please re-apply when you have...
Documents ready
Finally I got my application documents ready. 22 pages of documentation and explanation, plus my first cv since 2005. Now I can apply for the program. The application form can be found at...
Preparing for application
Now that I know what I'll need to apply for the masters program, I just began to write documents or to translate them from German to English. The documents required for application are: Applicant Resume / Curriculum Vitae Two single page documents describing a recent...
Interview with a master
After the last weeks talk to our TAM I got the desired information today. I just had a call with a current MCM. 45 minutes full of information on the program. That was really really valuable to me!
How to display user pictures in Outlook, Sharepoint & Co. using Active Directory?
Newer versions of Sharepoint, Outlook or Office Communicator support showing small user pictures in new mails, contact information or websites using data stored in a user's object in Active Directory. Even Windows can show your user picture for example on the lock...
How to display Active Directory stored user account pictures in Windows?
This topic is little more complex and we'll need different steps to accomplish this feature. First at all you need the pictures for your user objects in the directory. You can use ADSI Edit, Powershell or 3rd party software to put pictures in AD. My blog post "How to...
How to save a user picture in Active Directory with vbScript?
Active Directory offers the possibility to save pictures in a user's object. These pictures can then be used in Outlook, Sharepoint or even self-written applications. Here is how you can do it: This function will read a picture resource from a url (szUrl) and append...
How to set the Windows 7 user account picture programmatically?
Windows 7 offers the possibility to show small user account pictures, for example in the start menu or on the lock screen. Since there is no documented way of setting this picture programmatically here is a solution for developing a small application that can do this...
Collecting information
Today I had a talk to our Microsoft Technical Account Manager. He will prepare some information on the masters program for me and send it over in the next weeks. Let's see what it is all about...
How to connect to and read data from Mailboxes, Calendars, … via Exchange Web Services and vbScript?
I offen wondered how I can programmatically read items from mailboxes stored within Microsoft Exchange Server. Some time ago I used Outlook with some macros that accessed the information I needed. But what if Outlook does not run? Or what if the computer crashed - who...
How it began.
In April 2011 I completed my MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008. When I saw the Microsoft "Chart your Career – IT Professional" - Poster (© 2010 Microsoft Corporation) I thought there has to be more than that. 3 weeks of classroom courses, 5...
iPhone apps won’t open after update to 4.3.3
Yesterday I updated my Apple iPhone to iOS 4.3.3 (no, it is not jailbreaked). After that I noticed that none of the installed apps run any more. Of course the built-in apps ran fine (like Maps, App Store, Calendar, Mail, Messages, Clock, Contacts, iTunes, Calculator,...
How to reset HP ILO (Integrated Lights Out)?
Sometimes it happened to me that the HP ILO (Integrated Lights Out) is unresponsive. Not only the remote console but the whole web interface. In the past I used to shut down the server, unplugged it, plugged it in again and booted it. Well this is pretty uncool in...
How to disable Windows 7’s default printer management?
When working with hundreds of computers and users you may have found 'your' way of managing printers. But Windows 7 sometimes (may be together with its users) thwart your plans. Since there is a configuration dialog in the start menu called Devices and Printers from...
How to (re-)set identity column value in SQL Server?
When you use identity columns in SQL server you may have recognized that when deleting all table data your identity value stays at its latest position. Sometimes this is useful, sometimes it is not. Then you need to set this value to your preferred starting point....
What to do with ‘suspect’ tapes in MS DPM 2007 and 2010?
Sometimes it happens that Microsoft Data Protection Manager 2007, 2010 and 2012 mark a tape as 'suspect'. Normally this should happen when 2 different tapes have the same barcode... If you do know that there are not 2 identically labeled tapes in your library then you...
Certificate problems with vbscript and xml http calls
May be some of you already got stuck with the problem about xml http calls, vbscript and secured websites with certificate problems - the others surely will... There are some problems occurring right often. For example the host name does not match the subject name of...
SCCM failes to login at SQL database
Sometimes it happened to me, that our Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 (sccmsrv01) failed to login at our dedicated MS SQL 2005 2 nodes cluster (cluster: sqlclu, node 1: sqlclu01 and node 2: sqlclu02). Everything you could find in the sql logs...
How to do ‘replaceall’ in VBScript?
As you might know the vbscript replace function does always search only "one round". Here is an example, what exactly I mean: Lets assume you want to correct the following string by replacing all "double-l's" by "single-l's": str = "Littllllle worllllllld!" The code...
How to access WMI namespaces on remote computers that require encryption?
When you have a look at my vbscript bitlocker post and try to use it on remote machines you may not get any results but an application eventlog entry similar to this one here: Event Source: WinMgmt Event ID: 5605 Access to the [...] namespace was denied. The namespace...
How to use environment variables in Powershell?
Sometimes you need to use an environment variable (eg. username, userprofile, computername, ...) in Powershell. The location where environment variables are stored is "env:". This behaves similar to a hard or flash drive. You can list its content or browse it by using...
How to display active connections and running queries in SQL Server?
This query shows all queries executed at the moment, the session id, status, used cpu time and the execution duration SELECT st.text, r.session_id, r.status, r.command, r.cpu_time, r.total_elapsed_time FROM sys.dm_exec_requests r CROSS APPLY...
How to read and use the contents of a website from Powershell?
First we need to create a xmlhttp object, similar to what you would do in JavaScript $objXmlHttp = New-Object -ComObject MSXML2.ServerXMLHTTP Use the open method to specify the url, optional username and password. The third parameter (optional) is a boolean indicator...
How to connect to / read from / write to SQL Server from Powershell?
First create the connection object, set the connection string and open the connection: $objSqlConnection = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection $objSqlConnection.ConnectionString = "Server=YourSqlServer; Database=YourDataBase; User Id=YourUsername;...
How to get some information on Bitlocker using VBScript and WMI?
Documentation for functions, methods and properties used in this post: Win32_EncryptableVolume GetEncryptionMethod GetProtectionStatus GetConversionStatus GetKeyProtectors GetLockStatus GetKeyProtectorFriendlyName
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