The following steps are for performing a manual archive in Microsoft Outlook.

• Open Microsoft Outlook.
• Click File and then Archive...
  
• Select the item to be archived.
• Set the date. (3 months prior to today's date is good)
• Make sure the "Include Do Not Archive" is checked.
• Click OK
  

 

 

( )

The following steps are for checking the current size of an archive (PST) file in Microsoft Outlook.

As I've stated earlier, PST files have a 2GB (gigabyte) limit. If your file reaches this limit you will lose data. Microsoft has steps to recover from this type of situation, but it is ugly and begins with chopping off the end of the file to make it small enough for the repair utility to recognize. There is no way to specify what data is kept or lost during this process.

• Open Microsoft Outlook.
• Right click the data file (Archive Folders in this example) and choose Properties.
  
• Click the Folder Size button. The file size will be calculated.
  
• Make sure the file is not too large. Outlook can not handle files larger than 2GB (gigabytes). If your file is approaching this size, create a new file for archiving.
  

 

 

( )

The following steps are for configuring Microsoft Outlook's archive feature. These steps are also useful for setting up a new archive file in the event the current file has grown too large.

PST files have a 2GB (gigabyte) limit. If your file reaches this limit you will lose data. Microsoft has steps to recover from this type of situation, but it is ugly and begins with chopping off the end of the file to make it small enough for the repair utility to recognize. There is no way to specify what data is kept or lost during this process.

• Open Microsoft Outlook.
• Click Tools and then Options
  
• Select the Other tab followed by the AutoArchive... button
  
• Confirm your settings and archive file name and path
  
  If the file specified does not exist, it will be created automatically. This is handy in the case of a file that is nearing the 2GB limit. Just by adding a number (or letter) a new file begins receiving the archived data.

 

 

( )

Yahoo mail has a nice feature that is sometimes not too wonderful. If you are having trouble receiving email from a particular person, check the blocked senders list.

• Mail
• Options
• Block

Scan through and remove any addresses that shouldn't be there.

I ran into two separate cases lately where the Yahoo mail user wan't receiving mail from her sister. There was no return error, no notification of the message being blocked, and the message wasn't being dumped into the bulk mail folder.

 

 

( )

I was quite impressed when I unboxed a Tripp Lite TLP712 power strip/surge protector. As I was unwrapping the cord, I happened to notice 12 foot cord advertised on the box. This turned out quite handy when the power outlet was not near the desk. I just wanted to make a note here for myself and anyone else who may be looking for an extra-long cord on a power strip.

 

 

( )

I had heard of Skype from some guys at the office. They were using it to speak with each other while working on some software modifications. One even used it to save money on his long distance bill while phoning customers for tech support.

A friend of mine was complaining about his cell phone bill so I sent him this link:

After signing up, he called me excited about the service. He said it is only 2 cents a minute to call normal phone numbers (local or long distance).

I didn't think much more about it until he mentioned trying to use a bluetooth headset to interface with his Dell Axim. Since I was evaluating an Axim myself, I started researching accessories for Skype. Turns out, there is a USB adapter to allow using a cordless home phone with this service. The ones I found sell for about $35 plus shipping, but would be a great deal for someone wanting to utilize this cheap phone service with their home phone.

I'm going to try to hook up my little PBX to Skype and a normal phone line and see if I can provision it to use Skype for long distance calls and faxing.

Bottom line, if you're looking for cheap long distance phone service, Skype is a great deal.

 

 

( )

Trouble accessing only one secure website turned out to be a firmware issue with LinkSys router. Upgraded to 1.50.18 and all is well.

http://www.texasworkforce.org/ui/tax/emtaxinfo.html

https://m06hostp.twc.state.tx.us/TAXWEB/TaxMain

After receiving the following error while trying to upgrade the firmware using the web interface, I got my hands on befsx41_Tftp.exe and upgraded without any trouble:
Warning Upgrade Pattern Error

 

 

( BEFSX41 )

Error #12029 and Error #15212 are documented on QuickBooks' support website. But when the ordinary fixes failed to resolve the issue, I dug a little deeper and this is what popped up:

Issue started with a laptop not being able to access QuickBooks company data. Customer contacted Intuit tech support prior to my arrival. Support had them configure client PC to download updates, but continue to receive errors. Tech told them it must be a firewall issue and to have someone local look at it.

Turns out, the Windows Firewall was disabled. When I tried to enable it, an error popped up and the following errors appeared in the event log:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: ipnathlp
Event Category: None
Event ID: 30013
Date:  1/10/2006
Time:  11:06:37 AM
User:  N/A
Computer: LAPTOP
Description:
The DHCP allocator has disabled itself on IP address 192.168.1.25, 
since the IP address is outside the 192.168.0.0/255.255.255.0 scope 
from which addresses are being allocated to DHCP clients. To enable 
the DHCP allocator on this IP address, please change the scope to 
include the IP address, or change the IP address to fall within the 
scope.


Event Type: Error
Event Source: ipnathlp
Event Category: None
Event ID: 31012
Date:  1/10/2006
Time:  11:12:28 AM
User:  N/A
Computer: LAPTOP
Description:
The DNS proxy agent encountered an error while obtaining the local 
list of name-resolution servers. Some DNS or WINS servers may be 
inaccessible to clients on the local network. The data is the error 
code.

The cute little link for help from Microsoft popped up this info: Event ID 30013

Now I don't see anything in reference to a firewall, but the mention of ICS pointed me towards the network connections. Immediately, I noticed the dial-up adapter is shared which invokes the Internet Connection Sharing services and accompanying configuration. The strange thing about this system is that ICS sets a static IP address on the LAN adapter, but this one is set for DHCP.

Disable ICS and lose access to LAN. Discover a static IP has appeared in the TCP/IP settings for the network adapter. Set back to DHCP and test successful. Enable Windows Firewall without incident.

Determine trouble to be an indirect result of an incomplete configuration of the internet connection service.

QuickBooks is now able to connect and update just fine.

After updaing the antivirus, discover and remove these 5 trojan viruses:

Trojan.Fantibag.A
Remacc.Radmin
Trojan.Tooso.H
Trojan.Tooso.Q
Trojan.Tooso.K
The system had a full share enabled at the root of C: drive as well as a suspicious process running in the system tray named Remote Administration which pointed to radmin.com

 

 

( 12029 15212 )

Server crashed! Luckily, Friday's backup was successful. It was made with Acronis True Image server.

Load Workstation version of Acronis software and mount backup images to resemble network mapped drives.

Access to some folders is restricted from Windows Explorer. Research on Acronis website and discover the recommended fix is to restore to an empty partition and then reset permissions on files and folders.

This poses a few interesting problems:
Either I must produce from thin air an extra hard drive with the storage capacity of the server or I'm supposed to repartition the workstation to allow for enough free space to perform the restore. These are both unacceptable solutions.

Got a tip to use R-Studio to get access to these few locked down folders. It alerted me about a few duplicate files, but did a fine job overall.

Acronis, you really need to work on a better fix for restoring data.

 

 

( )

Customer applied update for 2006 and then Peachtree began having trouble. Specifically, it would give an error about not being able to find the data file and then crash.

Troubleshoot Peachtree not opening. Review event log. Research error messages online. Search for configuration files on PC. Try copying information from config files on other systems. Check environment variables.

Fix by uninstalling all versions of Peachtree listed in Add/Remove Programs (2004,2005,2006). Move Peachtree program folder from "Program Files" to alternate location. Move PPA130.ini, PPA120.ini, and PPA110.ini from Windows folder. Reboot system and perform Network installation of Peachtree. Enter data path to server when prompted. Test successful.

 

 

( Windows XP Peachtree 2006 company.dat )

PC of unknown origin requires software to be installed. System locks up while copying installation package from network server. Run Cleanup and SpyBot on system. Attempt to install Lotus Notes client, but receive prompt for Windows File Protection - Windows files must be installed for your installation to proceed. - Insert your Service Pack 4 CD now.

Since the CD isn't in my hand, I cancelled the prompt. Unfortunately for me, the Lotus Installation backed itself off and said it failed.

The Application Event Log had this to say:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 11933
Date:  1/4/2006
Time:  10:09:46 AM
User:  MyDomain\MyUser
Computer: MyComputer-PC
Description:
Product: Lotus Notes 6 -- Error 1933.The Windows Installer 
service cannot update one or more protected Windows files. 
SFP Error: 1223.  List of protected 
files:\r\nc:\winnt\system32\olepro32.dll
 
Data:
0000: 7b 46 44 46 43 46 44 33   {FDFCFD3
0008: 33 2d 37 33 44 46 2d 34   3-73DF-4
0010: 30 34 43 2d 41 38 38 34   04C-A884
0018: 2d 36 45 46 38 30 41 30   -6EF80A0
0020: 32 45 38 38 32 7d         2E882}  

The extended info above says this error is related to the installation package for Lotus Notes 6

After searching for this error online, I went looking for the file in question. I found this info on the system having trouble:

Directory of C:\WINNT\ServicePackFiles\i386

06/19/2003  12:05p             164,112 olepro32.dll

Using another Win2k box for reference, the file has the same date and size, but the time is a little different. It also has copies in:
C:\WinNT\System32
C:\WinNT\System32\dllcache

I copied the file to the System32 folder and discovered it magically appeared in the dllcache folder.

Kick off installation and it completes successfully!

Run into the same thing while loading Symantec Antivirus Corporate Editiion

Event Type: Error
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 11933
Date:  1/4/2006
Time:  10:50:46 AM
User:  MyDomain\MyUser
Computer: MyComputer-PC
Description:
Product: Symantec AntiVirus Client -- Error 1933.
The Windows Installer service cannot update one 
or more protected Windows files. SFP Error: 1223.  
List of protected 
files:\r\nc:\winnt\system32\comcat.dll
 
Data:
0000: 7b 30 45 46 43 36 32 35   {0EFC625
0008: 39 2d 33 41 44 38 2d 34   9-3AD8-4
0010: 43 44 32 2d 42 43 35 37   CD2-BC57
0018: 2d 44 34 39 33 37 41 46   -D4937AF
0020: 35 43 43 30 45 7d         5CC0E}  

This time, I just copied the comcat.dll file from C:\Winnt\ServicePackFiles\i386 to the C:\Winnt\System32 folder and tried again.

We may be looking at applying Service Pack 4 again in the near future, but for now everything is peachy.

 

 

( 1933 )

This one was tricky. It took me about 3 hours on a Windows XP Pro system that is less than a year old. This system had many other spyware items, but this one refused to leave:

Virus Alert! your computer is infected dangerous malware infection was detected on your pc the system will now download and install most efficient antimalware program to prevent data loss and your private information theft. click here to protect your computer from the biggest malware threats.

A little trick I've been doing lately is toggling between SysInternals' Process Explorer and HiJack This! (both are free pieces of software) for tackling the greazy beasts and following up with SpyBot and Trend Micro's online virus scanner. This seems to be the most fun way to shove a foot right up in the spyware nice and proper and makes it gasp for air.

HiJack This! has a handy feature for deleting a file during the boot process. This is especially handy for files that are locked because either they are running or another running process has them locked. Using HiJack This, select the file to be removed during reboot and then reboot the system. If the file comes back, locate it's "buddy" and select them both to be removed and then reboot. Again, if they come back, look for another "buddy" program that is making these files reappear.

After working my magic, I still received that strange popup from the system tray and Norton Antivirus was gimping along. I ran across an article mentioning several online virus scanners and then it had a download for smitRem.exe. Whatever smitRem is, it is now in my pocket and will be the first tool I use on the next infestation.

This system also appeared to have SmitFraud-C trojan; kill and remove MSSearchnet.exe and mscornet.exe using Process Explorer and HiJack This!

In researching these items, I ran across the following articles:

• Beware Vcodec pointed out that none of the "best" antivirus programs detect SpyAxe. We were running Norton Antivirus 2005 with the latest virus definitions.. still infected.
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus: Free Online Virus Scanner sounds like a great choice after reading the spill on SpyAxe and Norton. Problem is the virus scanner doesn't seem to fix anything. I scanned only the "critical" items and was ready to clean them, but never found the "repair all the bad stuff" button.
• Free Online Antivirus - Scan Detect and Delete Virus Spyware and Adware displays a nice selection of products.
• Sophos virus analysis: Troj/Spyaks-A a little good info on this pest.
• http://gladiator-antivirus.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=30624 I think this is where I found the article with the tool that fixed everything, but the site appears to be down as I'm writing this. The file above is the one I downloaded while working on the infestation and is freely available for download on my website.

Here's a link to the HiJack This! log of the system before making any changes. Notice all the funky stuff running from temp folders.

 

 

( removing Spyaks )