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Creating and Using Toolkit package..

A nice thing about Integrating MDT into Config. mgr is the functionalities the Toolkit package gives you. The obvious thing being the ability to use all the MDT script without having to create individual packages.. Another thing I really like, is the fact that it will set a variable that points to the package, allowing you to do simple routines like Copy files, run your custom scripts and programs, use ImageX and much more.   To utilize these features we must first create the Toolkit package with all the necessary files… One way to do this is to create an [...]

By |2008-12-16T17:55:36+01:00december 16th, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM), OS Deployment|6 Comments
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SQL Server 2008 support for Configuration Manager 2007

Configuration Manager 2007 RTM SQL server 2008 is supported with Config Mgr. 2007. KB article KB955229 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955229 explains the recommended installation procedure: Apply hotfix Hotfix KB950636 Instal SQL Server 2005 Install SQL server 2005 SP2 (only needed if you are installing the RTM version of Configuration Manager, if you are installing Config Mgr with SP1 then SQL server 2008 is supported) Install SQL server 2005 and Configuration Manager 2007. Upgrade site databases from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008. (only if you installed Config Mgr. 2007 RTM Apply hotfix (955229) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/955229 (only if you upgraded from SQL 2005) [...]

By |2008-12-15T13:13:56+01:00december 15th, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|1 Kommentar
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Copy Handler

Download: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=235157&package_id=285539 System Requirements: All Windows OS Licence: Free Developer: http://www.copyhandler.com/ Info: http://www.copyhandler.com/en/introduction.html   Short Description: A handy little tool for handling all your Copy/Move actions.. I use this tool because of the Pause/Resume functions, the ability to continue copy even if a file fails, and because it shows info on progress, speed, time left e.t.c.

By |2008-12-12T16:03:46+01:00december 12th, 2008|Tools|1 Kommentar
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Notepad++

Download: http://sourceforge.net/projects/notepad-plus/ System Requirements: All Windows OS Licence: Free Developer: Sourceforge.net (multiple developers) Info: http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm   Short Description: Replacement for Notepad, that gives you collar coding, and lots of other useful stuff for editing a variety of script languages. Personally I use for editing XML, VBS and WSF files..

By |2008-12-12T15:17:00+01:00december 12th, 2008|Scripting & Development|Kommentarer lukket til Notepad++
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This Week MDOP training

Websites: Application Virtualization http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/default.aspx  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb608292.aspx - - App V. on Technet http://www.virtualapp.net/ - Free apps and utlities http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939085 - How to run scripts inside the OSD file http://blogs.technet.com/softgrid/archive/tags/KB+Article/default.aspx - Latest KB articles on App V.  DaRT http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc740105.aspx - Debugging tools http://blogs.msdn.com/winre/archive/2007/01/12/how-to-install-winre-on-the-hard-disk.aspx - How to install WinRE on hidden partition AIS http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb964349.aspx - Step-by-step guide to deploy AIS Blogs: http://www.softgridblog.com/ - Independent blog http://blogs.technet.com/softgrid/default.aspx - Microsoft Blog Tools: http://www.virtualapp.net/sft-explorer.html - SFT Explorer http://www.immidio.com/resourcekit/ - Toolkit with App V server ping tool http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/appvirtualization/dd277292.aspx - App V. resourcekit tools

By |2008-12-09T14:05:01+01:00december 9th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V)|Kommentarer lukket til This Week MDOP training
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Usefull Application Virtualization support tools

While waiting for Microsoft to release the SDK for Appication V. it's nice to have a basic knowledge of the existing tools. SFTMIME.EXE: Used to control and configure the client. I really urge you to take a look at the complete list of commands and parameters at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc817090.aspx. SFTMIME can be used to configure the client, query for packages, settings, delete apps, load app and more. Example on how to configure a server connection: SFTMIME CONFIGURE SERVER:ctsccm /NAME "Coretech App V server"/HOST ctsccm /PORT 554 /TYPE RTSP /REFRESH ON Example, queries for all configured servers: SFTMIME QUERY OBJ:Server Example, removes [...]

By |2008-12-06T18:30:38+01:00december 6th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V)|Kommentarer lukket til Usefull Application Virtualization support tools
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Application Virtualization for Newbies

This post contains basic information about Application V. Not very technical but enough for you to get started. App V. formerly known as Softgrid was bought by Microsoft in 2006 from Softricity. It's now part of the MDOP package, which is exclusive available for Microsoft customers with Software Assurance. The key benefits of the product are: Application deployment All applications run within their own Virtual Environment leaving no footprint on the client computer. Applications can be streamed on demand. The application will typically only need 20-40% of the content to work with the basic functionality (you know, the functionality we [...]

By |2008-12-05T20:50:45+01:00december 5th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V)|1 Kommentar
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WSUS server disappears when installed on the Configuration Manager site server

I have seen several times, that my WSUS server is suddently gone when the SUP role is installed locally on the Config Mgr site server. I am not yet 100% sure why this is happening but it's related to WSUS trying to repair itself. By investigating the Eventlog you are able to monitor the process as it happens. It seems to be related to backup, however the Config Mgr. backup doesn't touch the WSUS files. Configmgr backup is runing: Event Source: SMS Server Event Category: SMS_SITE_BACKUP Event ID: 5055 Date: 10/11/2008 Time: 00:02:57 Computer: Testsccm Then randomly after backup the [...]

By |2008-12-05T14:10:21+01:00december 5th, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|Kommentarer lukket til WSUS server disappears when installed on the Configuration Manager site server
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The Application Virtualization 4.5 client

Client prerequisites: Microsoft Application Error Reporting  - download http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a950a427-d16c-4379-b641-2f319a69f70d&displaylang=en Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) - download:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=32bc1bee-a3f9-4c13-9c99-220b62a191ee&displaylang=en Microsoft Core XML Services (MSXML) 6.0 Service Pack 1 - download:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d21c292c-368b-4ce1-9dab-3e9827b70604&displaylang=en Notice: There is no x64 support yet, rumor has it that it will be available in 2010 Client scenarios The Desktop client supports Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista. It's part of the MDOP installation kit The Terminal Services client support Windows 2003 terminal services and Windows 2008 terminal services. You can download the it here: https://licensing.microsoft.com/eLicense/L1033/Default.asp Client installation files Setup.exe Setup.MSI You can customize the installation by using these [...]

By |2008-12-04T21:55:38+01:00december 4th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V)|1 Kommentar
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How to Configure Virtual Application Support on Configuration Manager

With the introduction of System Center Configuration Manager R2 comes the integration between Application Virtualization 4.5 and Configuration Manager 2007. This Guide will go through the installation and configuration. How does Configuration Manager 2007 intergrate with the App V. client Deliver applications: SFTMIME commands are used to manage Virtual Application publishing delivery to the App. V client cache. The OverrideURL registry value is configured to direct the client to the correct Distribution Point. Launch Applications Applications are launched using the SFTtray.exe command. WMI is used to report on the status of the installation process. Steps to configure Virtual Application Support [...]

By |2008-12-04T18:56:44+01:00december 4th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V), Configuration Manager (SCCM)|3 Comments
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Checking if User is member of group including nested/sub groups!

Download: [download#4#size#nohits] I had a challenge today. Problem: My Customer needs to insert a specific text in the Computer description field on the local PC, if the user is member of a specific group. Challenges: The problem is that most of the user are not directly members of the group. but they are members of a nested group that if member of the group, or a nested group , that is member of a nested group , that is member of the group and so on. This gave me a problem, since the usual way of checking the user membership [...]

By |2008-12-01T12:41:43+01:00december 1st, 2008|Scripting & Development|8 Comments
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Application Virtualization Client files and folders

Filename Location Description sftfs.fsd Vista: Public\Documents\Softgrid client XP: All Users\Documents\Softgrid client Application cache. All applications are stored in this file. The contents of this file is mounted to the virtual drive (Q:) at application run time. Shortcut_ex.dat Per Computer: Vista: Public\Documents\Softgrid client XP: All Users\Documents\Softgrid client Per User: Vista: User Profile\AppData\Roaming\Softgrid Client XP: User Profile\Application Data\Softgrid Client Stores the location of shortcuts that are created during a refresh. The Per Computer file is updated through the SFTMIME command or when adding an MSI package. The Per User file is updated with data from the publishing refresh. OSD Cache Vista: Public\Documents\Softgrid [...]

By |2008-11-30T18:09:22+01:00november 30th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V)|Kommentarer lukket til Application Virtualization Client files and folders
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Error 1603 when upgrading Softgrid 4.1.1 to Application Virtualization Management Server 4.5

During the upgrade of my Softgrid 4.1.1 server I encountered Error 1603. The reason for this error is a missing installation path to the existing softgrid version. In the SoftGrid-server-setup.txt you'll notice the lines (the setup file is found in the users \Local Settings\Temp folder). Open the file with Trace32.exe (found the Configuration Manager 2007 Toolkit), this allows you to monitor all activity in the log file in realtime. [2008-11-29 12:33:48] (3584:5960) INSTALLDIR: ``''. [2008-11-29 12:33:49] (3584:424) Returning VersionString ``4.1.1.302 (RTM)'' for ProductCode ``{A4A45785-926B-4805-8180-58D330D419DE}''. To fix the problem open registry, navigate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Installer\Userdata\S-1-5-18\Product GUID\InstallProperties (you can also search for the [...]

By |2008-11-29T14:09:21+01:00november 29th, 2008|Application Virtualization (App-V), Packaging & Installation|Kommentarer lukket til Error 1603 when upgrading Softgrid 4.1.1 to Application Virtualization Management Server 4.5
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Useful Software Metering Rules

One way to ensure a really fast ROI with Configuration Manager is usage of Software Metering. Creating the rules is a simple process but gathering the exe names of the software packages can be time consuming. To save you some time I have added some of the most commonly used products. Application Filename Vendor Visio Visio.exe Microsoft Project winproj.exe Microsoft Frontpage Frontpg.exe Microsoft Access Msaccess.exe Microsoft Autocad Autocad.exe Autodesk Acrobat Writer std Acrobat.exe Adobe Acrobat Writer Prof. Acrobat.exe Adobe Illustrator Illustrator.exe adobe Image Ready ImageReady.exe Adobe InDesign InDesign.exe Adobe Photoshop Photoshop.exe Adobe DreamWeaver DreamWeaver.exe Adobe Flash Prof. Flash.exe Adobe Crystal [...]

By |2008-11-11T16:00:01+01:00november 11th, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|2 Comments
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Automate changes to Device manager ( DEVCON )

  During Automated Build and capture, and sometimes during deployment it's nice to be able to automate changes to the device manager (well devices, but basally the ones you se in the device manager).  Her the Microsoft tool DEVCON comes in handy.. Lets say you need to remove some devices before you capture you master image, like unknown devices, com ports, display adapters etc. All you have to do is to make a "run Command Line"step in your TS that runs the DEVCON tool with the right parameters: Remove Device: (In this case the comports)  DEVCON remove USB\PNP0501* This action [...]

By |2008-11-04T16:20:06+01:00november 4th, 2008|Hardware & Drivers|Kommentarer lukket til Automate changes to Device manager ( DEVCON )
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Creating Configuration Manager 2007 Reports – Part III Using Count

In this example I explain how to use the Count function. I anticipate that you already by now know how to create the report in Configuration Manager and how to start SQL Server Management Studio. This report will group all computer objects by Vendor and Model with a count of each unique model.     I've started SQL Server Management Studio, navigated to the SMS_Sitecode database, and created a new View. For information about those steps please refer to Part II of this post. Select V_GS_Computer_System, click Add and Close. Select the columns Manufacturer(), Model() and Model() - the Model [...]

By |2008-11-03T17:50:46+01:00november 3rd, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|1 Kommentar
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Creating Custom Boot Image (boot.wim)

When using  System Centre Configuration Manager for OS deployment you always use WinPE as your boot media/environment for deploying  the actual image… Normally you can just use the boot image supplied with SCCM (a WinPE 2.1 wim, taken from WAIK and placed in \\”SiteServer”\SMS_”SiteCode”\osd\boot\”architecture”\boot.wim), with out any further considerations. Well you might have to inject some NIC and Storage drivers, but that's properly it! A problem you might run into though, is lacking functionality of that WinPE build, like no HTA, MDAC/ADO support etc, or you might need to ad a “Custom media hook” to run a script prior to [...]

By |2008-10-29T10:52:03+01:00oktober 29th, 2008|OS Deployment|9 Comments
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Speed up your Microsoft Virtual PC environment

  Playing around with OS deployment (and teaching MS MOC courses) I often use virtual environments such as Microsoft Virtual PC and Virtual Server. Now more often that not I find myself pulling out what little hair I have left, in sheer frustrated over the speed with witch VPC/server runs… I mean trying to run a DC, a SCCM server and a client is near impossible unless you like  long walks along the beach and other slow boring things… So I find myself converting stuff to VMware as it seems to run some what faster along with other need features.. [...]

By |2008-10-23T11:29:55+01:00oktober 23rd, 2008|Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)|Kommentarer lukket til Speed up your Microsoft Virtual PC environment
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Setting up the Custom Media Hook (pre TS action)

  If you want to run a script before the actual TS start, well even before the boot CD looks to SCCM for policies to run, you could add a Custom Media Hook. The Media Hook will run a script defined in an INI file and not enter TS mode before it has finished.. This could be useful in any number of scenarios like cleaning the disk, enabling the disk if it has been encrypted,  setting variables, entering data to DB and so on and so on. Now enabling this feature is quit simple, and then again it is not! [...]

By |2008-10-22T17:45:01+01:00oktober 22nd, 2008|OS Deployment|15 Comments
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Easy way to install depending on Chassis Type (laptop, Desktop or Server)

Lets say you have a application you only want to install on laptops, like f.ex. VPN or battery SW. Well now how do you get around this?? I use the MDT variable IsLaptop  as an option on my Task Sequence step. 1. add the MDT Gather step somewhere after the image has been deployed     2. On the Install Software step you only want to install on Laptops, you add the “Option-Task Sequence Variable” IsLaptop equals TRUE   This will make sure this step is only run is the Chassi type is LAPTOP. You can of cause do the [...]

By |2008-10-22T13:15:15+01:00oktober 22nd, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|4 Comments
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Configuring WebDAV on Windows Server 2008 for Configuration Manager 2007

The WebDAV components is a required component for the configuration Manager site systems. In Windows server 2003 you simply add the component from Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel. Hovewer in Windows server 2008 the component has been removed. Installing WebDAV on Windows Server 2008, requires a download and some configuration in ISS.  32 bit: Download webdav_x86_rtw.msi from http://www.iis.net/downloads/default.aspx?tabid=34&g=6&i=1621 64 bit: Download webdav_x64_rtw.msi from http://www.iis.net/downloads/default.aspx?tabid=34&g=6&i=1618 Start the installation by double clicking the correct msi file (in this guide I am installing the 32 bit version).   Select I accept the License agreement and click Install. Click Finish. Open Start, All [...]

By |2008-10-21T16:47:05+01:00oktober 21st, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|2 Comments
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Client push fails when Management Point is installed on Windows 2008 server

I just went back from a customer that experienced a problem when they used client push to install clients. All client reported the same in ccmsetup.log Failed to correctly receive a WEBDAV HTTP request. Failed to successfully complete HTTP request. (StatusCode at WinHttpQueryHeaders: 405) The solution to this problem is adding this line: <add name="WebDAV" path="*" verb="PROPFIND,PROPPATCH,MKCOL,PUT,COPY,DELETE,MOVE,LOCK,UNLOCK" modules="WebDAVModule" resourceType="Unspecified" requireAccess="None" /> To the %windir%\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config file. Open the applicationHost.config file Search for the text <handlers accessPolicy="Read, Script"> Add a new line after the text and paste this line: <add name="WebDAV" path="*" verb="PROPFIND,PROPPATCH,MKCOL,PUT,COPY,DELETE,MOVE,LOCK,UNLOCK" modules="WebDAVModule" resourceType="Unspecified" requireAccess="None" /> It should look like the [...]

By |2008-10-11T15:39:41+01:00oktober 11th, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|2 Comments
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Configuration Manager OSD Frontend

We have received a lot feedback about our Coretech Application Creator. Some of you mention that the application name is a bit misleading. Well, you're right, the name don't reveal the real magic behind the application. The application has two main features: It's a OSD frontend which can be used to prestage computers and also to configure collection variables. It automates the entire software distribution process. The name will be changed in future releases. For more information about the application please refer to my previous post or Jakobs post

By |2008-10-11T13:59:48+01:00oktober 11th, 2008|Configuration Manager (SCCM)|1 Kommentar
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