Open File Security Warning Prompt during Deployment

During deployment with MDT 2013, the following message is displayed: "Open File Security Warning Prompt". You have to click OK multiple times to get through the task sequence. Very annoying if you aks me! This because of the following problem: The issue is that when you download an .EXE, .ZIP, or .CAB Internet Explorer saves the Zone Identifier. This goes back to a feature that first appeared in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and the feature works the same in later operating systems.

 
In my case this on ithe following files: gfxtray.exe, hkcmd.exe, igfxpers.exe and rtdcpl64.exe. Just rightclick the .EXE, click properties, and then click the “Unblock” option. After that no "Open File Security Warning Prompt" popup appear anymore!

Just nice to know if you ask me ;)

MDT 2013 - The task sequence has been suspended

During deployment with MDT 2013, after a few working deployments, the following message is displayed: "The task sequence has been suspended". After that the system is rebooting and you can start all over again. This because of the following problem: you have to wipe the disk to continue. Just press F8 during Windows PE and type in the following commands:

1. Diskpart
  2. List disk
    3. Select disk 0
      4. List part
        5. Select part 1
          6. Clean
            7. Create part primary
              8. Assign
                9. Active
                  10. Exit

After that deployment works as Always!

No IP-address set during MDT Sysprep and Capture

Last week I created a Windows 7 SP1 image manually, installed almost 200 updates in it (!) and started the MDT 2013 default task sequence "Sysprep and Capture". The first part went fine (Sysprep), but when in Windows PE there was no IP-address set. Oops! Lucky me you can start a command prompt and start "Retry" later. Let's have a look how to enter a static IP-address within Windows PE.

 
Just start Command Prompt with F8 and type in the following command: "Netsh interface ip show config" > which is showing that my interface is called "Ethernet0"

After that type in the command: "Netsh interface ipv4 set address “Ethernet0” static <IP address> <Subnet mask <Gateway>" 

After that it was possible to capture Windows 7 SP1 successfully!

This simply made my day! ;)

Windows 10 Technical Preview updated with 7,000 changes and fixes

Yesterday I updated my Windows 10 Technical Preview installation. In the update are 7,000 changes and fixes, so quite a lot! Let's have a look. When you're already running the Windows 10 Technical Preview, Windows Update will take care of downloading and installing the update automatically, depending on your download settings. Because I didn't want to wait for that, go to the "Update and recovery" section in PC settings and select Preview builds.

In my case it took al long time downloading and installing the update! A reboot is needed after installing to finalize the update. After that Windows 10 Technical Preview is updated to the new version, which is 6.4.9860. One of the new features is the Action Center (known from Windows Phone 8.1). Other new features include the ability to move apps easily from one monitor to another, and animations for switching desktops. The advise however is still to not install Windows 10 Technical Preview on your primary machine. Just run it in a virtual machine or dual boot situation instead.

Microsoft stated: Most of the changes in this build will be invisible to you, but we’ve made nearly 7,000 improvements and fixes to the product between 9841 and 9860. Many of those fixes were based on problem reports that you submitted in the Community forum or through the Windows Feedback app. Thanks! We also have a few visible changes that you’ll notice.
Microsoft has received over 250.000 pieces of feedback so far.

Very good if you ask me! The consumer is partly involved this way.
Can't wait for the final release! Great OS :-)

Enable Adobe Flash Player on Windows Server 2012 R2

When starting the VMware vSphere Web Client on Windows Server 2012 R2, the following message is displayed: To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.5.0 or greater is installed. After that it's not possible to enable Flash because of the following message: Flash Player is integrated with Internet Explorer in Windows 8. You do not need to install Flash Player. 

 
The solution for this is not that hard, you must install the Desktop Experience feature on the server. Let's start PowerShell for that, and type the following command: Install-WindowsFeature Desktop-Experience

After that it's needed to restart the server, and install the latest Flash update with Windows Update. (KB3001237)

Flash Player will be available now. Just try to start the VMware vSphere Web Client again, and you will be fine.

When ActiveX Filtering is enabled you may discover issues. Just turn it off in Options > Safety > ActiveX Filtering.

Jalasoft Releases Xian Wings HD for Android Tablets

Sponsor post

The Xian Wings team has been working hard to bring support for Wing HD to Android tablets! Here is what you can expect in our new Wings version, we are sure you'll love it!

 

The following features has been added:
-Android tablets support (!)
-Compatible with Wings HD for iPad
-Improved performance

Important information:
-Download available at: http://www.jalasoft.com/xian/wings
-For any questions contact: sales@jalasoft.com
-For technical support contact us at: http://www.jalasoft.com/support

You can find the whole blogpost at Jalasoft

You do not have permission to manage Extensions for Windows Intune

When the following warning is seen in ConfigMgr console: "You do not have permission to manage Extensions for Windows intune. You need All scope permissions to manage these extensions", just take the following action. It's not that hard to chance at all ;)

Just login ConfigMgr console (with another Administrator account then the one which gives the warning), and go to Administration > Security > Administrative Users. Select the account which gives the warning, choose properties, Security Scopes, and select "All instances of the objects that are related to the assigned security roles".

By default this option is on "Only the instances of objects that are assigned to the specified security scopes or collections". After changing the option, and starting the ConfigMgr console with the Administrator account used before, you will see that Extensions for Windows intune are available now. What I say before, not that hard at all ;)

Hope it helps!

ConfigMgr Restart Task fails if client has SUBST-ituted drive

Everytime I'm suprised when I see a new error during deployment in ConfigMgr. Today I have a new one for you. During a default "Restart Computer" step in a task sequence I get the following message. This on a server device running Microsoft App-V Sequencer software.

-Unable to get a handle to device Q: (0x80070005)
-Failed to convert Q: to unique volume id. Code : 0x80070005
-Failed to convert protected paths to unqiue ID. Error code 0x80070005
-Failed to reboot the system. Error 0x(80070005)
-Failed to initialize a system reboot. Permissions on the requested may be configured incorrectly.
-Unknown error (Error: 80070005; Source: Unknown)
-Fatal error is returned in check for reboot request of the action (Restart Computer). Permissions on the requested may be configured incorrectly.
-Unknown error (Error: 80070005; Source: Unknown)
An error (0x80070005) is encountered in execution of the task sequence

Lucky me I found the following blogpost: Microsoft TechNet
It mentions: The workaround we're using is to run a SUBST /D command line prior the restart step to make it work, but i was wondering if this is an accepted bug or limit of the software.

In my case I'm using a "Run Command Line" with "SUBST Q: /D" now to get the job done. No problem anymore during deployment!

Hope it helps!

System Center Technical Preview VHDs available!

Maybe old news, but still want to mention that System Center Technical Preview VHDs are available for download!

System Center Technical Preview Data Protection Manager – Evaluation (VHD) System Center Technical Preview Operations Manager – Evaluation (VHD)
System Center Technical Preview Orchestrator – Evaluation (VHD) System Center Technical Preview Service Manager – Evaluation (VHD) System Center Technical Preview Virtual Machine Manager – Evaluation (VHD)

Just use them to have a look at all the new features!
Too bad no ConfigMgr evaluation VHD is available this time.
 
Additional information:
Release Notes for System Center Technical Preview
Features removed in System Center Technical Preview
Next version of System Center Configuration Manager announced!

Download a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator (today)

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Last week I was mentioning you can download a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator on October, 15th. This because off the Xian 10th year anniversary from Jalasoft! Today you can download the product finally! Just download the trial from their website so that they can send you a permanent license. Let's have a look: 

 
Because the form is not clear on this point, i will mention the steps needed to get the permanent license for free. Otherwise you still need to buy a license on the product ;)

1. Download the SNMP Device Simulator from: Jalasoft. Select the option “Free Download” and a Download form displays.
2. In the download form make sure to complete all the required fields. This form is the confirmation that we require to validate that you downloaded our software on our promotion day. We’ll consider users in different time zones so do not worry if you are in Europe or Asia, just get your download.
3. You’ll receive a confirmation email similar to the one below from webmaster@jalasoft.com. Click the “Download now” link for our software.
4. Send an email to sales@jalasoft.com with information on your MAC address so that we can deliver your permanent license. The file should be in CVS format. To obtain your MAC address we have detailed instructions in our site: Go to Jalasoft again.
5. In step 2, click on “here” and the License request screen displays. 
6. Follow the License request instructions, click “OK” and the license will be sent to the Jalasoft team. (This instruction is in our confirmation email in the section “All we need from your side in order to send your Permanent License, is the MAC Address of the machine where the SNMP Device Simulator will be installed. You can review the document on how to retrieve the MAC Address file here”.
If you encounter any problems, contact sales@jalasoft.com or 1-888-402-6717, as long as we have your download registration we’ll be able to honor your request. Thanks!
 
After that you will have a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator. Thanks Jalasoft for this possibility!

More blogposts on this topic:
Download a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator
New Jalasoft SNMP device simulator v5 released

New features are coming on Live Maps, Cloud Reporter and Cloud Advisor

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I have become familiar with Savision because of Live Maps. Live Maps Unity is a great Business Service Management solution that monitors service health performance and with it you can create dynamic and graphical dashboards easily. This is done in combination with OpsMgr, which I implement for different customers.
Within Live Maps you can create dashboards with drag-and-drop functionality at once. It's like Microsoft Visio, but then using different build-in templates and live objects!

Caption from Live Maps Unity

End of this month, during MS TechEd in Barcelona, Savision will bring new releases and updates on Live Maps, but also on Cloud Reporter and Cloud Advisor. Let's have a look at the changes:
-Live Maps Unity, will have new features such as Performance Data, Out-of-box Services and .Net Application Discovery. Savision have been working very hard during this year to move away from being just an OpsMgr add-on, and only dashboards and maps, so with their Live Maps Unity release, they have become instead a Business Service Management solution.
-Cloud Reporter is a robust capacity planning solution for private clouds based on Microsoft’s Hyper-V and VMware vSphere, which will have the same wisdom and analysis to VMware that is offered for Hyper-V.
-Cloud Advisor integrates natively into the Virtual Machine Manager and vSphere console, analyzes your Hyper-V or VMware environment for problems, and then provides specific and detailed recommendations to tune VM's and hosts for better performance and availability.

To give you a glimpse of upcoming features in Live Maps Unity, have a look at these posts already:
-Performance Data
-Out-of-Box Services
-Dynamically Updating Services

Within the posts you can see that the following features are coming:
-Performance information with HTML5 support for performance data
-Out-of-the-box templates for Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft SharePoint (which looks great to me!)
-Cloud Reporter and Cloud Advisor can be used for both Microsoft’s Hyper-V as VMware vSphere in the next release.

Update: There are multiple webinars to come for new Q4 2014 Releases. Don't miss them!

-Live Maps Unity Webinar by Dennis Rietvink, co-founder and VP of Product Management of Savision
US: Monday, November 10, 2014 11:00 am EDT/ 17:00 pm CEST
EU: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 9:00 am EDT/ 15:30 pm CEST

-Cloud Reporter & Cloud Advisor Webinar by Steven Dwyer, VP of R&D of Savision
US: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 11:00 am EDT/ 17:00 pm CEST
EU: Thursday, November 20, 2014 9:30 am EDT/ 15:30 pm CEST

How to install Citrix XenDesktop VDA during deployment (part 2)

Earlier this year I wrote a blogpost about "Installing Citrix XenDesktop VDA and PVS Agent during deployment". Unfortunately enough it in't working, because there are to less folders during installation. I followed the guide found on Day to Day tech issues and tips. This is a really great guide to install Citrix VDA, but there is mentioned: Create a folder (x86 and/or x64) and copy the following folders from the Citrix installation media. The XenDesktop installation will look for additional information in the other folders, so they are needed as well. Based on the installation parameters even more folders could be necessary. (and they are for sure!)

Case is, this isn't enough for sure! Just copy the whole Citrix media to get it working, with the following folders and files in it. Otherwise the following errors will be mentioned in "%AppData%\Local\Temp\1\Citrix\XenDesktop Installer\XenDesktop Installation.txt"
-XenDesktopSetup:Unable to read product version details from file ProductVersion.txt Could not find file 'C:\Citrix XenDesktop\ProductVersion.txt'.
-XenDesktopSetup:InstallComponent: Failed to install component 'Machine Identity Service'. Could not find file 'C:\Citrix XenDesktop\ProductVersion.txt'.
-XenDesktopSetup:Recording installation failure. Could not find file 'C:\Citrix XenDesktop\ProductVersion.txt'.

Let's have a look at folders and files missing:

Root

x64 folder

After that Citrix XenDesktop VDA will be installed succesfully! Just have a look at the logfile again:
XenDesktopSetup:Installation complete, reboot needed
XenDesktopSetup:Installation Manager returned SuccessRebootNeeded

When installation is still failing because it's using x86 on a x64 system (seen that once), just use CD "x64\XenDesktop Setup" instead of "%PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE%" variable.
Happy that Citrix installation is working now!

More blogposts on this topic:
How to install Citrix XenDesktop VDA and PVS Agent during deployment
Implementing ConfigMgr in a XenDesktop VDI environment

My personal experience with Windows 10 Technical Preview

Last week I did the upgrade from Windows 8.1 Enterprise (which is needed for Direct Access) to Windows 10 Technical Preview. When looking for a download just look here. In my case the installation was done in 15 a 20 minutes on SSD drive, not too bad! After the upgrade everything seems to work okay, applications and data were still in place, and new functionality was added. Let's have a look at a few new (and really cool) features!

First there is the new Start menu (where everyone is talking about). Personally I think it's great to have it back now. No more switching between desktop and tiles is easier then loosing focus on desktop everytime. The combination of applications and apps is a good match, and looks/feels good. > Welcome back Start menu!

When you want to change back to tiles or have a tablet device, the Start screen (known from Windows 8.x) can be displayed as well. Just use what you prefer, and fits best on the device you are using. Windows 10 is looking at the device you're using and switch on Start menu or Start screen by default. Seems okay to me!?

When looking at the task bar you will see a few new icons added. They are all handy for sure. First there is 'Search' to find data (documents for example), which is much easier then before. Second there is 'Task view', where you can quickly see which programs or folders are opened/active. Just click the window you want. Another one is 'Favorites', where you can find most used and opened files and folders (e.g. Favorites, Frequent folders and Recent files).

Another great feature is when moving a task to the left- or right side of the screen. In the other part an overview is displayed on other active tasks. Just click a task, and that one will be showed in the other part of screen. When dragging a task to a random corner, it will be placed there, without showing other active tasks. In that scenario you will see 4 opened tasks with only a few clicks. You can also generate a new desktop where (active) programs are not visible at once. Just start tasks on multiple desktops with this!

Applications and apps can run both in same screen now, instead of switching from desktop to tiles screen. Apps can run in a full windows or in a window as shown in the screenshot. Much easier that way if you ask me. No need to go left above to switch from a fullscreen app to desktop (remember?), when working on a fat client device. Things are now as they should be in the first place.

Maybe I missed some more features, but for me these are enough reason to move on to Windows 10 already! No need to worry about things like Direct Access, Office 2013 or other features. All seems to work okay! Expect a Final release in May 2015 and multiple Preview versions (Consumer Preview, Release Candidate) in between.

Windows 10 may be the best OS since Windows 7 finally! Windows 10: One product family, One platform, One store. Love it!

Update: Back to Windows 8.1 now because of Privacy Statements for Windows Technical Preview. But for the few days I used it, I personally think that the OS is great already. Just want some more features like Cortana, and it will be even greater. Thanks!

My personal experience with Jalasoft Xian Wings (part 2)

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In an earlier blogpost I was mentioning my personal experience on Jalasoft Xian Wings. More about that can be found here. This time I will have a look how Wings looks like on a Windows Phone 8.1 and Apple iPad 3 device. Let's have a look at the possibilities on both a Phone and Tablet device. Screenshots are taken from my own OpsMgr demo environment. You can ask Jalasoft for credentials on a demo showcase also. Just use comments for that.

Windows Phone
The Xiang Wings app can be found in the MS store, just install it and put in account details. Within the app the following can be seen:

Within Xian Wings you can find Summary (health, alerts, notifications), Navigation (states, alerts, graphs, task status, notifications, settings) and Recent graphs. Within Settings you can find State view (selection of groups and objects wich are same as in OpsMgr console), Notification (all severity, resolution state possible) and Receive notifications. Much to see here if you ask me.

When you choose an specific alert, you can run Tasks, Knowledge and Properties. You can watch the alert rule with the specific description and monitors, watch knowledge base with even more information presented on your screen at once, and tasks to start troubleshooting. Within properties there's even a History field, so when the issue happens before, you can find earlier comments here.

When troubleshooting is needed some (basic) tasks can be started as well. In this case I started the Microsoft System Center Data Access Service. Very nice this can be done by mobile phone or any other device. Stopping the Data Access Service is not that handy, because communication is broken after that ;)

Apple iOS
The Xian Wings app can be found in the Apple store, just install it and put in account details. Within the app the following can be seen: 

Nice to see that the interface is optimized for a tablet device. No screens like Windows Phone here, in this app you can create custom dashboards known from OpsMgr console. Within the dashboard you can configure widgets to display information you like to see. Let's have a look at some possibilities on custom dashboards.

Just created a (basic) dashboard with choices in Alerts, States and Graphs. You can use as many monitors and/or rules what you want. You can create multiple dashboards also to show different parts of the IT infrastructure. Servers, services, network, applications, processes, databases, just choose it yourself on a tablet device.

When tapping on a server (for example) you will see additional information on the object. In my case (OpsMgr server) you see Alerts, Details, Options (Maintenance mode, Remote PowerShell) and Inventory. Much to see here if you ask me. Just to give a quick overview of dashboard functionality here.

Same as on Windows Phone, you can start remote Tasks, put a device in Maintenance mode and set a specific Resolution state (for example: Assigned, Scheduled or Resolved). Very nice this can be done on a tablet device. In my situation it runs very smoothly.

When troubleshooting is needed some (basic) tasks can be started as well. In this case I started the WMI Service. Hope to give you a quick overview of possibilities within Xian Wings. Just ask Jalasoft if you want to know or see more on this.

Personally I like the idea to see much more information on devices like phones and tablets. When thinking about SMS and E-mail messages this seems more advanced and offers more possibilities to start remote management. Jalasoft did a great job on Xian Wings for iOS (iPhone, iPad), Windows Phone (and Android)! Hopefully you now have a good overview on this product. Thanks!

More blogposts on this topic:
My personal experience with Jalasoft Xian Wings (part 1)
Taking my OpsMgr with me… with Xian Wings

Download a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator

Sponsor post

Within a few weeks (on October, 15th) you can download a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator from Jalasoft. This because off the Xian 10th year anniversary!

Xian NM for Microsoft Operations Manager (OpsMgr) is 10 years old this month and Jalasoft is celebrating in a BIG way!

To top it of they are offering two very special promotions:
-30% off on all their solutions until the end of September.
-a FREE full version of the SNMP Device Simulator valid for up to 10 devices ONLY on October 15th. On this date, you need to make sure to download the trial from their website so that they can send you a permanent license.

Congrats from Henk's blog go to the Xian/Jalasoft Team !!

Download System Center Technical Preview Today!

Great news! System Center Technical Preview is available now! It can be download on Microsoft TechNet if you have a TechNet or MSDN subscription. Lucky me I have one because of my Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) status. Let's have a look at the downloads available:

-Windows 10 Technical Preview
-Windows 10 Technical Preview for Enterprise
-System Center Technical Preview (Data Protection Manager, Orchestrator, Operations Manager, Virtual Machine Manager, Service Manager) > No Configuration Manager this time!
-Windows Server Technical Preview
-Windows Server Datacenter Technical Preview
-Microsoft Hyper-V Server Technical Preview

Just connect to Microsoft TechNet and download the bits!

Next version of System Center Configuration Manager announced!

On September 30th, there was some BIG news from Microsoft (again)! Let's have a look at which Microsoft has to say about it:

-Windows 10 (!) is coming mid/late 2015, a preview will be available today! Just register at Microsoft to download Windows 10 Technical Preview. Watch a quick preview at YouTube
-SCCM/ConfigMgr (next version) is coming! The next version of Configuration Manager will be more easily updatable to support each of these Windows 10 updates.
-Windows Server (next version) is coming! Just expect a release around mid/late 2015 also!

In summary: 
-The next version of System Center Configuration Manager will deliver full support for client deployment, upgrade, and management of Windows 10 and associated updates.
-System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager or SP1 - we will provide an update to support Windows 10 deployment, upgrade and management with existing ConfigMgr features.
-System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SP2, R2, and R3) – we will provide an update to support the management only of Windows 10
-Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) will be updated with support for Windows 10.
-Finally, for Windows Server, Configuration Manager will also support the evolving servicing model covered at a high level in the Windows Server announcement today.

This is just the start of the story with this wave of products. We will have much more to share in the coming weeks and months. Thank you and stay tuned for more!

The System Center Configuration Manager and Intune Team

Source: Windows 10 enterprise management with System Center Configuration Manager and Intune