FIX: Pools or virtual machines remain listed in VirtualCenter after being deleted in View Manager

Symptoms

• A pool is deleted from disk in View Manager from View Administrator > Desktops and Pools
• Some virtual machines from the deleted pool remain in VirtualCenter
• In View Administrator > Desktop Sources, the virtual machine show a status of Deleting, however the objects never get deleted

Resolution

The virtual machine may not be deleted when View Manager is unable to process the shut down command.

To workaround the issue:

1. Manually shutdown the virtual machine and wait a few minutes. VirtualCenter automatically continues with the cleanup process and deletes the virtual machine.
2. If the virtual machine is deleted from VirtualCenter or you have manually deleted the virtual machine but it still appears up in Desktop Sources, the virtual machine entry must be removed from ADAM.
   
   Warning: Editing or deleting items within ADAM may destroy existing pools in View Manager. Backup the configuration data before making any changes. For backup instructions, see http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vdm_config_data_export_import.pdf.
   
   
   1. Open the ADAM editor, click Start > Programs > ADAM > ADAM ADSI Edit.
   2. Right-click ADAM ADSI Edit and select Connect to.
   3. Choose Distinguished name (DN) or naming context and type:
      
      dc=vdi,dc=vmware,dc=int
      
      
   4. Under OU=Servers, double-click each entry and search in Attribute > pae-DisplayName for the corresponding virtual machine name.
   5. Delete the appropriate entry that contains the virtual machine name.
   6. Refresh the Desktop Sources view. The virtual machine is no longer listed.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1007510

The Home Folder may be mapping incorrectly when logging on to a Windows XP-based computer

Symptom:
When you log on to a user account on a Windows XP- based computer with drives that are mapped to a Home Folder on a network, the Home Folder may be mapped to the base share instead of the complete path.

Example scenario:

• 
  The Home Holder is set to: \\fileServer\share\UserName
• 
  The actual mapping that the user receives is \\fileServer\share

Note: Manually mapping the path completes successfully and all files are accessible, but the scenario may repeat when the user logs in again.

Cause:

This issue may occur if due to one of the following reasons:

• 
  Under Group Policy, in User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> User Profiles -> Connect home directory to root of the share is set to Enabled.
  
• 
  Network delays cause the workstation to try to map to the home folder before it completes initializing the network connection during logon.

Resolution:

To resolve this issue, do the following:

• Make sure you do not have the policy configured in User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> User Profiles -> Connect home directory to root of the share

• Set the Group Policy setting under Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon -> Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon to Enabled.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;969006

Converting images to icon files

I recently needed to convert a .jpg image into an .ico file. There is a quick and easy method to do this using the following website:

http://www.coolutils.com/Online-Image-Converter.php

Just browse to the image file on your local drive and the website will upload it, convert it, scan it for viruses and malware and provide you with a link to download the .ico file.

Mitch

HOWTO: Install Symantec Corporate Edition with latest definitions

Take three files from the installation distribution.

Data1.cab
Symantec AntiVirus.msi
VDefHub.zip

go to Symantec, get the latest definitions

ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/antivirus_definitions/norton_antivirus/

Specifically look for a filename that ends in -i32.exe: 20091213-20-i32.exe

Note: Do not use xxxxxxxxv5i32.exe they will not work.

Extract the contents of the .exe (eg. using WinRAR), remove VIRSCAN.ZIP from and rename it to VDefHub.zip

replace the file in your installation folder.

Ok, you're all set. use this command, it installs silent, no reboot
"Symantec AntiVirus.msi /passive RUNLIVEUPDATE=0 REBOOT=REALLYSUPPRESS

Reference: http://www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t50679.html

Stop the Adobe Flash Player from checking for updates

An IT administrator is able to configure the Adobe Flash Player to prevent it from checking for updates on the internet. This is achieved using the mms.cfg file located in C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash (NOTE: you will need to manually create the file using Notepad).

Instructions on the configuration options can be found here: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/167/16701594.html

Another link that may come in handy is the Flash Player Settings Manager found here:
http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager05.html

Mitch

Silent install parameters for Inno Setup

Recently I had to create an application package for a setup file created using Inno Setup.
http://www.jrsoftware.org/iskb.php

I found this handy website that provides the unattended installation parameters for making the setup file install in silent mode:
http://www.mail-archive.com/unattended-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg00075.html

setup.exe /sp- /verysilent

ERROR: "The command is not available" error message when you launch Outlook.

Problem:

When you try to use the "Out of Office reply" option is Microsoft Outlook you receive the following error:

"The command is not available. See the program documentation about how to use this extension."

Resolution:

There are two ways to go about fixing this problem.

Method 1:

From Outlook, select Help > About Microsoft Outlook > Disabled Items. Select "outex.dll" and click Enable. If this does not fix your issue then try method 2.

Method 2:

• Ensure Outlook is closed (and outlook.exe process is not running)
• Launch Regedit
• Remove HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Resiliency key
• Close Regedit
• Launch Outlook