Customer's PC was having trouble blue screening shortly after booting into Windows ME. I hooked it up and booted just fine. Since it was obviously loading tons of startup trash, I sat back and watched the hard drive light do it's thing.

After several minutes, the desktop was up and the drive light flickered gently. Then boom! Unable to write to disk in drive C: Data or files might be lost Of course, I suspected the hard drive was going bad, but Maxtor's diags proved me wrong. Just to be safe I ran Fdisk /mbr which should have refreshed the master boot record. This is where my headache began.

Unbeknownst to me the system had been loaded with Norton GoBack. This utility is quite nice in that it can undo some nasty things done to your system. But it is also a large pain when it fails to load. One sneaky little trick it does without warning is replacing the Master Boot Record. When you try to access the partition with other software, it shows up as "Non-Dos Partition" (which is not true! it is a DOS partition with GoBack on it).

After much hair-pulling, I devised this attempted fix:

• Use a test drive to perform a full system recovery.
• Load Norton GoBack.
• Hook up original drive as primary on secondary controller.

Receive following error:

===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   
Norton GoBack (126)

X - Norton GoBack has detected its partition signature
in the MBR on disk #2 but links to Norton GoBack's
dataIO.BIN) are broken.  To fix this
problem, Norton GoBack will need to scan your hard disk
for its data file and then restore the MBR and/or
BPB sector.  Until, this problem is fixed, you will
not be able to access this disk.

This problem was probably caused by a utility
such as a virus checker, multi-boot manager,
or disk editor.

Do you want Norton GoBack to attempt to restore the BPB?
===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   

After much scanning for "GoBackIO.Bin" the following message appears:

===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   
Norton GoBack (148)

i - Norton GoBack has re-hooked itself into the MBR on 
disk #2.  Since Norton GoBack had been temporarily 
unhooked from your system, there is a possibility 
of some data loss.  It is recommended that you run 
ScanDisk on logical drives on this disk as soon 
as possible.
===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   

Boot system just fine to the test drive and back up the original drive. Try booting to just the original, but Windows seems to be corrupt. Use test drive to boot and remove GoBack from both drives. Boot to diskette and am finally able to access hard drive "Non-Dos" partition is now "MS-DOS" (horray !) Run setup for Windows ME (oh well, that's what they bought) and it runs unattended. After rebooting a couple times, most everything is working. Recommend backing up important data and doing a full recovery on the system.

Also recommend never installing Norton GoBack on this system! Apparently, it caused the data corruption and was the source of all the trouble. It had been installed two days before the trouble began.

 

 

( Red X Error )

Trying to print to HP DesignJet 500 shared on Windows XP Pro SP1 from Windows 2000 SP4 with AutoCad 2000.

All instructions lean toward going through Control Panel's "Autodesk Plotter Manager" to use "Add-A-Plotter Wizard"
Can't locate "HID" file going through normal wizard. Try to download driver from HP website, but after wasting time registering for a login, discover some portions of the website don't seem to work right. Phone support and find "HP's website is having trouble" (duh!)
Support tech did recommend using "System Printer" option in Autocad. She also recommended downloading a patch from AutoDesk.com
Using system printer option returns this red X error:
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\Program Files\ACAD2000\addplwiz.exe
abnormal program termination

After applying AutoDesk's Plotting Update Patch DL125244 the error went away. Add system printer works just fine now.

The very next workstation is R14 ! It works better, but is quite different to configure. I got it to work by doing this:
Browse to printer and double click to open
Set printer as default
Remove all printers from AutoCad
Add system printer in AutoCad

Helpful info on R14 at AutoDesk

 

 

( Printer # C7770B )

I just installed two little surge protectors on the Ethernet lines going to two PCs. One of these PCs recently had the motherboard replaced because it's network port had gone out immediatly following a thunderstorm and, unfortunately, was integrated. Luckily, the system was under warranty and didn't cost the customer anything other than inconvenience. If this were to have happened outside of warranty, they would have been charged for a replacement motherboard as well as technician time to replace the part (eg. $200-$300).

APC PTEL2 2-line Telephone Surge Protector

Scenario:
Customer has a new employee take over a PC. This new person has the same responsibilities and requires the same security as the one she is replacing. Of course the new person would prefer her own name appearing when she logs on to the PC.

Fix:
Simply rename the user and modify the "full name" field in the user's profile. Windows uses a security identifier number "SID" which remains constant. This allows the new person to have the same desktop, my documents and other settings of the previous user.

Common mistake:
Generally, I've seen a new user get created on the server and configured on the workstation. After that, documents must be migrated from the old user's profile. Sometimes security priviliges cause problems too.
If you find yourself in this situation, my article on sharing profiles might help.

Customer was having trouble with the financial software dropping connection to corporate. They have DSL and were using a LinkSys BEFSX41 for internet connectivity. The problem would only arise when someone didn't touch the application for a few minutes (10 to 40 was the best estimate). After returning, the program would default to the opening screen. Any unsaved work was lost. Very annoying.

The corporate helpdesk technician recommended replacing the router/firewall with a LinkSys RV042 (also a router/firewall). This product did seem to be a little "beefier" and was still under $200. I was a little reluctant to swap one LinkSys router for another; still not being convinced it was the problem. In fact, the same tech group had recommended LinkSys in the beginning, but hadn't been as specific with the model of hardware. Of course I had picked the popular model (which was also resonably priced).

Three months later, the customer is still happy and the router is performing quite well with not one disconnection.

One word of caution: I tried upgrading the firmware in the BEFSX41, but ran into a world of hurt with the buggy releases on the LinkSys website.

I recently went to great lengths in an effort to explain how to properly connect a surge protector. Installing one myself would have only taken a minute or two, but I didn't have one on hand.

Both the PC and Monitor power cables were plugged directly in to the wall. This left the printer without power and the speakers reaching down the wall to share the outlet with the TV. I said, "Hey, you really would be better off installing a surge protector. It will free up some outlets and protect your computer equipment." That was the last thing I remember before the nightmare began!

So I made a little note to find some help.. or a picture .. or something.

The following picture is better than I expected to find. Plus, it's darn cute :)

 

 

( surge supressor arrestor )

My advice is to go into Norton's configuration and update this configuration:

• Select "Email"
• Change "Automatically repair infected file (recommended)" to "Repair then silently delete if unsuccessful"
• Click "Ok" to save settings

The default configuration is to alert the user to each email that fails cleaning. The problem arises because Norton halts the receiving of POP email until the user answers the alert. This can cause a timeout which prevents the received messages from being cleared on the server side. After the timeout, the first group of messages is received again which causes duplicated messages in the inbox. People generally call after their email has stacked up several days. Like when they return from vacation or after having their PC serviced.

 

 

( Symantec 2002 2003 2004 )

DC Output - 12V at 1000mA (1A)
Poliarity - Center Positive (outside negative)
BIG BARREL is the Type of Jack
AC input - 110~120V AC, 60 Hz. Max; 0.3A

Linksys - BEFSX41 - Instant Broadband EtherFast 4-Port Cable/DSL Router

ScanSoft shipped 4 copies of OmniForm Filler with the wrong installation key printed on each CD sleeve. Turns out, the packaging and order requested version 5.0 of the software, but after several weeks of fighting with tech support and customer service, we discovered the software inside the package is version 5.5 !!

The fix is to key "3609a" as the first part of the installation key code.
(eg. 3609a-xxx-xxxxxx)

Scansoft OmniForm Filler 5.0

ScanSoft OmniForm 5.0

 

 

( bad code )

After setting up POP email.. send test email fine, but receive prompts for password each time. Search online and find a few old articles that point to apparently non-existant articles on Microsoft's site.

Windows XP Professional service pack 1 with Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business

Microsoft KB article 235861 provided the fix:
(Warning!! this is only for XP! there are fixes for other versions of Windows on original document)

=== === === === === === ===
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider
4. In the Save in box, select a location where you want to save the 
Registration Entries (the .reg file).
5. In the File name box, type a file name, and then click Save.
6. On the File menu, click Exit.
=== === === === === === ===
1. Quit all programs.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type regedit32, and then click OK.
4. Locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider
5. On the Edit menu, click Permissions.
6. Click the registry key for the user that is currently logged on, 
and verify that Read and Full Control are both set to Allow.
7. Click the Advanced button, ensure that user that is currently 
logged on is selected, that Full Control is listed in the Permissions
 column, and that This Key and Subkeys is listed in the Apply to column.
8. Click to select the Reset permissions on all child objects and 
enable propagation of inheritable permissions check box.
9. Click Apply, and then click Yes when you receive a prompt to continue.
10. Click OK two times.
11. Expand the Protected Storage System Provider key, click the user 
subkey folder that is directly below the Protected Storage System 
Provider key, click Delete on the Edit menu, and then click Yes in 
the warning message dialog box.

The user subkey folder looks similar to the following example:

S-1-5-21-124525095-708259637-1543119021-16701

NOTE: For every identity that you have, there may be a subkey 
under the Protected Storage System Provider key. To resolve this issue 
in all of your identities, you must delete all of the user subkeys 
folders under the Protected Storage System Provider key.
12. On the File menu, click Exit, and then restart your computer.
=== === === === === === ===
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Mail or Mail and Fax icon.
3. Click Internet E-mail in the Services list, and then click Properties.
4. On the Server tab, type the password and click to select the 
Remember Password check box.
5. Click OK two times.
6. Quit Control Panel.
7. Start Outlook, and then use the Send and Receive command to test 
whether your password is retained.

NOTE: If other Windows XP users are having password retention issues, 
re-enter the password, and then select the Remember Password check 
box for those profiles. Each user may have to log on for their 
password to be retained.
=== === === === === === ===

other possibly helpful articles:
OL2002: Outlook Prompts You for a Password for an E-mail Account with a Saved Password
OL2000: (IMO) Password Settings Are Not Retained and a Blank Password Is Cached in Outlook

one discussion group mentioned Q290684 which doesn't seem to be available anymore
another mentioned Q259416 which is also not available

 

 

( keywords: O2k WinXP SP1 290684 259416 )

=== === === === === === ===
To fix this problem:

1. Open Terminal Services Configuration from the Start menu Administrative Tools folder.

2. Press Server Settings and double-click Licensing Mode.

3. Change the Licensing Mode to Per User.

4. Press OK.
=== === === === === === ===

Original Document

 

 

( keywords: terminal server WinXP Win2k Windows 2000 license )

Another beast that doesn't like to be removed. This wasn't detected by SpyBot, but it was definately there. These two processes wouldn't go away: WToolsA.exe and WSup.exe Using a free utility called PSKILL from Sysinternals, I wrote a simple batch script to kill processes "wtoolsa" and "wsup" then delete all files from the "c:\progra~1\common\wintools" folder. Watch out, these were marked as read only and one was hidden.

Once, I actually removed it using Add/Remove, but killing it was more fun.

didn't fix my problem, but is interesting information

My first thought was to use MacroMaker to launch a numlock VBScript every few minutes. While I was getting that set up, I ran across a setting in MacroMaker that provided for this feature. But on the problem system, it would manipulate the CapsLock and ScrollLock, but nothing I tried would touch the NumLock. Very frustrating.

NumLock ON VBScript:
set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"

Registry settings:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard

for the Key and value:
"InitialKeyboardIndicators" = "2"

original document

 

 

( keywords: Windows 98 number lock )

Restoring Norton AntiVirus after it is infected by a virus

 

 

( keywords: adware )

Since WinXP doesn't seem to get it's networking up and ready before it shows the Desktop, a loop is required to confirm the mapping is successful.

I used Sleep.exe to place a one second delay in the loop to help keep CPU usage down while looping in a failed state.

place on the C: drive in "\bin" folder save in text format with ".bat" as the extension place shortcut to batch file in all users startup test running manually until successful reboot and enjoy ~!

=== === === === === === ===
@echo off
c:
cd\bin
net use y: /d /y

:ch_loop
sleep 1
net use y: \\server\share
if errorlevel 1 goto ch_loop
if not exist y: goto ch_loop

:ch_end
=== === === === === === ===

 

 

( keywords: logon )

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SOFTWARE
\Starkey Laboratories
\ProHear
\DBC Locations - Local

STARBASE = path to data on server (same as other workstations)

I haven't looked at this personally, but a little bit of research turns up the following information:

Winsock 2 for Windows 95 may need to be installed.

Article on Winsock 2 at Microsoft.