Friday, November 28, 2008

Starting ARD from command line

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108030

This is the Apple tech reference for turning on ARD from the command line if you can ssh into a box. NOTE: Apple fails to note that you have to put ./ in front of the "kickstart" command.

For turning on ARD using ssh and enabling it for all users type:
/System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources root# ./kickstart -activate -configure -access -on -restart
-agent -privs -all

MUST BE SUDO or ROOT

Outlook: registry change to allow connection ot a differnt mail server

After a migration, if you need to switch the user's mail back to the old server you need to delete a reg setting or Outlook will not connect to the old server. Do this:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Software
Microsoft
Exchange
Exchange Provider

Delete the Closest GC key

Go back into Outlook and connect to the old mail server

PXE booting a Dell

• Getting PXE boot to work on Dell machines presented problems as there was no obvious way in BIOS to enable PXE. The internet provided the solution:
o Enter BIOS
o Go to Security Settings
o Disable the Deny PXE boot option.
o Return to main BIOS screen
o Enter Integrated Peripherals screen
o On network card settings, press right arrow to add the ‘pxe’ boot option to the setting
o Exit and save settings
• Dell machines caused a small error with the installation script due to an extra ISDN card requiring installation.

Rename a PC using netdom

You will need to install the XP Support Tools located in the Tools folder on the XP disk. Full instructions can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298593

Here is a real-world example of renaming a computer MLNMOW-NXP1002 to MLNMOM-NXP1002

netdom renamecomputer MLNMOW-DXP9001 /newname:MLNMOM-NXP1002 /userd:[domain]\[admin account] /passwordd:* /usero:administrator /passwordo:* /reboot:15 /force

This will rename the computer, prompt you for your domain admin and local machine admin passwords and force a reboot after 15 seconds. You have to be using a domain account with full admin rights to the computer you are renaming.

You can enter the real passwords instead of the "*" to speed up the process.

Unable to log in to a Mac (Tiger only)

Symptom: A user on a bound Mac is unable to log in; they receive the "shaky" log-in box at each authentication attempt. Other users can log into the machine and the same user can log into other machines.

Fix: Log on as admin and open Netinfo Manager and select "Users" in the middle column. In the right-hand column the user should be listed ONCE. If the user is listed TWICE, delete both users. Restart and the user should be able to log back in.

NOTE: if this does not resolve the problem then you will have to use the Kerberos file fix which is explained in another post.

Mail problems checklist

For VPN access:
LDN SML RAS
There is now a VPN user group created by default in each OU but make sure it is a member of the SML RAS group

For IT staff to modify Exchange settings in the user’s AD account:
EMEA Exchange View-Only Admins

For IT staff to create a new user:
EMEA GIS Exchange2003 Reg Settings Group Admins

Newly created user must be in this group:
EMEA GIS Exchange2003 Registry settings

In order for an IT guy to add computers to the Non-Restricted Workstation group, the IT guy must be a site-level full admin not a brand-level full admin.
Example: SHM 11ATUR Full Admins and not SHM 11ATUR MEW Full Admins

If no one can send to a DL make sure the group type is set to UNIVERSAL

If a user is unable to receive internal mail make sure they have a NOTES entry in their E-mail Address tab with an address of user name@NAExchange. Also make sure they have a tick in “Automatically update e-mail addresses based on recipient policy” under the E-mail Addresses tab (this is very important for new users especially).

(Generally, not being able to receive internal mail means that they are missing or have a misspelling in their @corp.... address)

If the user receives a “Mailbox Closed” message from System Administrator it means their mailbox is over the size limit.

Name changes not showing in the GAL on some computers: update the GAL in Outlook. Tools/Send&Receive/Update address book. Make sure you update all entries.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Can not search default Contacts folder in Outlook

Problem: Users are not able to search the default Contacts in Outlook. Right-clicking and going to Properties/Outlook Address Book displays the "show this folder as an Outlook address book" field greyed out and unticked.

Solution:
  • In Outlook, Choose Tools->Email Accounts...
  • Select Add a new directory or address book, then click next.
  • Select Additional Address Books, then click next.
  • Choose Outlook Address Book from the list, then click next.
  • You will have to close Outlook and open again for changes to take effect.
  • You will then be able to select the Show this folder as an email Address Book from the Outlook Address Book tab within the Contacts properties
General info about making Contacts searchable (but not specifically this fix): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287563