An ordinary guy trying to make a difference
The face behind the FAQs
The MVPs have been asked to help spread the word in the community about a potential issue when it comes to upgrading a Site to ConfigMgr SP1.
As part of the upgrade process SP1 attempts to upgrade the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) on the server hosting the SMS Provider to version 1.1. Now this is all fine if you don't already have a PXE Service Point in the same Site.
However, if you DO have a PXE Service Point in the same Site you could experience:
I've written the following articles on FAQShop based on the "Upgrading the Windows AIK for Configuration Manager 2007 SP1" post:
IMPORTANT: Please ensure you read this information BEFORE you apply SP1 as it is currently NOT available in the ConfigMgr Documentation Library and won't be until the R2 documentation is released.
What changes have been made to the Client Platforms supported by SMS 2003 SP3? The Client Platforms supported by SMS 2003 SP3 have changed...
Got this through from Microsoft which hopefully some of you may find useful:
Background Free, unlimited installation and compatibility support is now available for all worldwide customers using Windows Vista SP1, until March 18, 2009. Telephone support is available worldwide. Some countries also offer Chat and Email support.
Effective dates From now until 18 March 2009.
Location
Find out more and access the service at:
http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=1&prid=11274&gprid=500921
Who is affected All users of Windows Vista SP1.
Intel’s vPro technology is a new systems management technology built into the Centrino 2 (desktops) and Core 2 (laptops) chips providing powerful security and manageability features such as:
Personally I can see this a being a hot technology that a lot of people are going to want to use (although large scale adoption is going to be hindered by the fact you need the latest chips to take advantage of it so it’s going to be a good while before we start to see large scale adoption and use of this technology).
For more information goto:
http://www.intel.com/vpro
I’ve recently had two VERY expensive failures of items in my life that I thought would have lasted a LOT longer than they have namely my car and my personal laptop.
I’m still waiting to hear back from Hyundai about my car so I won’t post the story here for now.
About 3 ½ years ago I needed a laptop to help me with a major community-related project I had on the go at the time and to run my SMS virtual lab on. After extensive research I bought a Rock Quaddra Ti (basically a mini-server/ workstation class of machine in a 17” laptop with a price to match).
I was VERY impressed with it until things started to fail on it. As I’d bought it from Rock Direct I couldn’t just call out an engineer or return it to the shop. Instead I had to wait for them to collect it, inspect it, verify with their insurance company it was OK fix under the warranty, fix it, and return it. As you can imagine being without the machine for a fair amount of time was not easy but an evil I had to endure last year.
The machine came back with a new motherboard. I powered it on and everything seemed good as new so I powered it off again until January 08 (the first chance I had to start reloading my apps and data).
I left it loading from Windows Update only to return to find the machine completely dead. The power light was still on the power block so I assumed something inside the machine had gone wrong so I called Rock only to be told that as the machine was out of warranty I’d need to write a letter of complaint which I did and sent it off to them.
After a couple of months of hearing nothing I called them and I was asked to email them a copy of my letter which I did.
Another couple of months later nothing so I called them AGAIN only to be told they had gone into administration (even though the old staff were working there). It was only when I pleaded for help the Tech FINALLY stopped repeating like a record over and over again that they were now a new company and not responsible for any machines sold previously that he started to be a bit more co-operative. The end result though was I needed to send ANOTHER letter of complaint to the new company, which I did.
Yesterday I actually got a call from them. Although the machine is out of warranty they have agreed to waive the £80 they normally charge for finding the fault, estimating the cost of repair and then shipping the machine back to me.
Now although I appreciate this I’m miffed at the way the guy told me this - almost with an air of arrogance and that they are doing me such a BIG favour. I’m also a little upset by the fact that I need to fund the cost of getting the machine to them in the first place just for them to estimate the repair cost.
So I’m facing the decision as to whether to go through the hassle and cost of getting the machine back to them and then paying for the repair, or whether to just cut my losses and have one of the most expensive door stops in history.
Lessons learnt from this are:
Just waiting for Hyundai to get back to me know (the outcome of which I can almost guarantee will be the same).
There are several options you have when it comes to preparing for Microsoft’s ConfigMgr exam to become a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS).
The most obvious is to attend a Microsoft training course which in the case of ConfigMgr is the five day Course 6451 “Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007”.
Then there’s Steve Kaczmarek’s and the ConfigMgr Doc teams’ book the Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Administrator's Companion (currently the only ConfigMgr book on the market but others are coming).
Another option is to use third-party training courses for ConfigMgr such as those offered by The Blogcast Repository and CBT Nuggets (neither of which I’ve reviewed so you’ll need to form your own opinions and let me know). I’m sure there are probably others “out there”.
Whichever route you choose I’d recommend you get some hands-on experience with the product especially those parts you either use infrequently or have been shying away from as for this exam Microsoft are testing in many areas of the product as you can see in the Skills Measured section of the Exam Prep Guide (I’d hate for anyone to take the test thinking it’s just design, planning, installation and a bit of software distribution without realising topics such as OSD now make-up a significant part of the exam).
Above all, don’t panic or be put off – the effort is worth it.
Good luck and let me know how you get on ;-)
If you’re thinking of taking the ConfigMgr “TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring” exam, Microsoft has an Exam Preparation Guide to help you which you can access at:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-401.mspx
Well I’ve been using (and been very happy with SmartFTP) for a number of years now. However, it now seems they’ve decided to no longer offer the software for free.
Thanks SmartFTP I’ve enjoyed the experience but time to hit Google for another free FTP program (unless any of you can recommend one).
The folks at CBT nuggets have released their Exam-Pack 70-401: Microsoft Systems Center - Configuration Manager which consists of 20 videos that apparently help you get up to speed with the product and prepare for the ConfigMgr exam.
You can watch the free Remote Tools and Wake On LAN video to get a taster (it’s hidden under “Free Videos | Microsoft MCTS / MCITP” – if it had a “ConfigMgr” prefix it would be easier to find), once you’ve registered for free on the site.
Now I’m not endorsing this in anyway (I have emailed CBT nuggets to ask for a review copy but no news as yet), but the free video looks OK, although I found I had to keep hitting the Pause button and rewinding as boy does Greg talk fast
The WMUG crew just want to say a BIG thankyou to all of you that attended our meeting last night. It was a fantastic turnout and I think it’s fair to say a good time was had by all.
Thanks to the Microsoft team (Phil Cross, Steve Lamb, and all of those at Cardinal Place), for helping organise and run this.
And a big thanks to our guest of honour none other than Ed Aldrich himself whom I presented with a special gift when he asked if there was a prize for the person that travelled furthest to attend the meeting (I’ll let Ed decide whether he shares the details with you).
So sleeves rolled up and we’re already talking about organising the next event which from the feedback you’ve given us you’d like the opportunity to listen to others and share your experiences with the product. So get in touch if you want to speak at the next event and we’ll help you get things organised.
SQL Server 2000
941203 MS08-040: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft SQL Server could allow elevation of privilege
948111 MS08-040: Description of the security update for SQL Server 2000 QFE and MSDE 2000: July 8, 2008
948110 MS08-040: Description of the security update for SQL Server 2000 GDR and MSDE 2000: July 8, 2008
953853 FIX: The Windows services may stop responding when the SQL Server WMI provider enumerates the Windows services on a local computer and the enumeration fails in SQL Server 2005
955250 Error message when you try to uninstall a SQL Server 2005 Express Edition hotfix package: "1731 The source installation package for the product [2] is out of sync with the client package"
953481 FIX: Error message when you try to insert data on a subscriber of a merge replication in SQL Server 2005: "Msg 548, Level 16, State 2, Line 1. The insert failed"
948109 MS08-040: Description of the security update for SQL Server 2005 GDR: July 8, 2008
948108 MS08-040: Description of the security update for SQL Server 2005 QFE: July 8, 2008
954054 FIX: Some changes are not replicated to the subscribers when you synchronize data for a transactional replication in SQL Server 2005
953624 FIX: Error message when you synchronize data for a merge replication in SQL Server 2005: "The Merge Agent failed after detecting that retention - based metadata cleanup has deleted metadata at the Subscriber"
948113 MS08-040: Description of the security update for SQL Server 7.0: July 8, 2008
953918 How to move Terminal Services CALs from one license server to another in Windows Server 2003 or in Windows 2000 Server
955133 Detection and deployment guidance for the July 8, 2008 security release
953267 IPP does not support multiple operating system .inf files on a print server that is running Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows XP
951072 August 2008 cumulative time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems
954702 Some paper sizes are not available on a Windows XP-based computer when you perform a Point and Print install operation to install a printer from a print server that is running Windows Server 2003
951748 MS08-037: Description of the security update for DNS in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, and in Windows 2000 Server (client side): July 8, 2008
953230 MS08-037: Vulnerabilities in DNS could allow spoofing
951746 MS08-037: Description of the security update for DNS in Windows Server 2008, in Windows Server 2003, and in Windows 2000 Server (server-side): July 8, 2008
948963 An update is available to adds support for the TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA AES128-SHA and the TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_256_CBC_SHA AES256-SHA AES cipher suites in Windows Server 2003
955109 Error message when you run an application that uses the Application Desktop Toolbar (AppBar) component on a computer that is running Windows XP SP2 or Windows XP SP3: “0xC0000005 (Access Violation)
I made a post earlier today referring to a workaround that someone had blogged about on how to install the RC version of ConfigMgr R2 on a non-eval copy of ConfigMgr SP1.
Well I’ve decided to change the post and pass on some more information I’ve received.
The reasons you should NOT workaround this “issue” are:
What you choose to do about this is entirely up to you – you pays your money and takes your chances but personally I’d recommend you play by the rules to avoid any issues.
As Rod mentions, today is the day that Windows XP SP3 will be available through Windows Update. Get your bandwidth ready…
Just received this:
“The System Center Configuration Manager team would like to announce that the following has been released and available for download:
ü System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 Release Candidate build 6335
This is the official RC build for the R2 release. Step-by-step guided scenarios for each feature can be found at the survey link within your MSconnect account. These step-by-step guided scenarios are an excellent way to become familiar with the new features and also provide direct feedback to the Configuration Manager product team. Bugs and Design Change Requests can be filed through the feedback link. Your voice is important and we highly encourage and requested your feedback on these scenarios and features. Notes: Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 RTM required. Regards, The Configuration Manager Customer Team”
To register and download this latest build (if you haven’t already) click the link below which will take you to the Connect website:
https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=16
Once there click on the “Register for the ConfigMgr 2007 SP1 and R2 Open Beta!” and follow the instructions.
If you’ve already registered for the R2 beta then:
IMPORTANT NOTE: As of the time of writing the note beside the download states:
“Please note: Installation of this build requires Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 RTM.”
when in fact it should state:
“Please note: Installation of this build requires an Evaluation Version of Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1.”