EENetworks Tech Notes

init script for vncreflector

2007-12-27T20:58:59Z

Here's an init script for vncreflector I threw together. It's a hacked up copy of the init script for vncserver. Ideally, it would handle multiple instances of vncreflector like the vncserver init script does, but that will have to wait until I have some more time (read: until I actually need multiple instances of vncreflector running).
]]> #!/bin/bash
#
# chkconfig: - 91 35
# description: Starts and stops vncreflector. \
#              VNC Reflector is a specialized VNC server which acts \
#              as a proxy sitting between real VNC server (host) \
#              and a number of VNC clients.

# Source function library.
. /etc/init.d/functions

# Source networking configuration.
. /etc/sysconfig/network

# Check that networking is up.
[ ${NETWORKING} = "no" ] && exit 0

unset VNCREFLECTORARGS
[ -f /etc/sysconfig/vncreflector ] && . /etc/sysconfig/vncreflector

prog=$"VNC Reflector"

start() {
    echo -n $"Starting $prog: "
    ulimit -S -c 0 >/dev/null 2>&1
    RETVAL=0
    unset BASH_ENV ENV
    initlog $INITLOG_ARGS -c \
        "vncreflector -q -g /var/log/reflector.log -i /var/run/vncreflector.pid -p /etc/vncreflector/passwd /etc/vncreflector/host_info"
    RETVAL=$?
    [ "$RETVAL" -ne 0 ] && break
    [ "$RETVAL" -eq 0 ] && success $"vncreflector startup" || \
        failure $"vncreflector start"
    echo
    [ "$RETVAL" -eq 0 ] && touch /var/lock/subsys/vncreflector
}

stop() {
    echo -n $"Shutting down $prog: "
    unset BASH_ENV ENV
    initlog $INITLOG_ARGS -c \
        "bash -c \". /etc/init.d/functions && killproc vncreflector\""
    RETVAL=$?
    [ "$RETVAL" -eq 0 ] && success $"vncreflector shutdown" || \
        failure $"vncreflector shutdown"
    echo
    [ "$RETVAL" -eq 0 ] && rm -f /var/lock/subsys/vncreflector
}

# See how we were called.
case "$1" in
start)
        start
        ;;
stop)
        stop
        ;;
restart|reload)
        stop
        sleep 3
        start
        ;;
condrestart)
        if [ -f /var/lock/subsys/vncreflector ]; then
            stop
            sleep 3
            start
        fi
        ;;
status)
        status vncreflector
        ;;
*)
        echo $"Usage: $0 {start|stop|restart|condrestart|status}"
        exit 1
esac

buildMetarDB.php & SQLite

2007-12-18T23:43:05Z

Syntax to build locationsDB:

php /usr/local/lib/php/data/Services_Weather/buildMetarDB.php -v -l -t sqlite -r tcp -h localhost -d /usr/local/lib/php/data/Services_Weather/servicesWeatherDB

Syntax to build airportsDB:

php /usr/local/lib/php/data/Services_Weather/buildMetarDB.php -v -a -t sqlite -r tcp -h localhost -d /usr/local/lib/php/data/Services_Weather/servicesWeatherDB

Notes
Probably doesn't hurt to build both.

Windows Defender: Application failed to initialize

2007-11-21T21:24:35Z

Problem Description
Customer's computer plagued by several strange errors. Couldn't print, Webroot Spy Sweeper wouldn't work, Trend Micro AntiVirus wouldn't start, and Windows Defender failed to start.

Solution
After further troubleshooting, went into Services and found that many services were mysteriously disabled. By sorting by Startup Type and comparing the disabled items with this list, was able to re-enable the disabled services.

iTunes: Missing from Add or Remove Programs

2007-11-13T14:19:45Z

To manually uninstall iTunes version 5.0.1.4, go to Start, Run, then enter:

MsiExec.exe /x {78F4DFCE-1336-4027-BCB2-1A00C24A8653}

Jetpack.exe: error -1811: File not found

2007-11-11T18:17:34Z

Issue
Customer's Windows 2000 server reports a service failed upon startup. Checking Event Viewer shows that it's the DHCP service that failed to start. Digging deeper, the DHCP service failes while initialized the Jet Database Engine. The specific error number is -1811.

Resolution
Uninstall DHCP server using Add/Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, Networking Services. Reboot. Reinstall DHCP server using Add/Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, Networking Services. Check Event Viewer. DHCP server service is now running properly. Rebuild DHCP scopes as necessary.

Notes

Jetpack Error Codes for Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0
Thread from ExamNotes.net regarding this issue
More information about DHCP errors and how to fix them

Windows: Dialog box says, "This disk or device contains more than one type of content", and, "What do you want Windows to do?"

2007-11-11T17:15:46Z

Issue
When inserting a USB memory stick, or CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, digital camera, or other removalable media, Windows spits out a dialog box that reads: "This disk or device contains more than one type of content." And further: "What do you want Windows to do?" Then there is a list of choices. Sometimes the dialog box has a checkbox that allows for this action to be the default. Other times the dialog box does not this feature.

Solution
This article at ORA's Annoyances.org has the proper answer.

Basically, download Microsoft's TweakUI utility, and use it's AutoPlay disabler to disable AutoPlay for the drive letter in question. Or better yet, disable AutoPlay for every drive letter on the computer.

Notes
In my opinion, AutoPlay and AutoRun are obnoxious and dangerous.

How to permanantly disable AutoPlay - Good, but only seems to cover Windows 95, NT

Mac OS: AOL for Mac OS 9

2007-11-10T21:30:16Z

Issue
You want to run AOL under Mac OS 9.x.

Solution
According to sources, the last known version of AOL to run under Macintosh OS 9 is AOL 5. Get it here.

Microsoft Word: Only starts in Safe Mode

2007-11-09T18:07:16Z

Problem Description
When starting Microsoft Word, a dialog box appears:

Microsoft Word Microsoft Word has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. The information you were working on might be lost. Microsoft Word can try to recover it for you. Recover my work and restart Microsoft Word Please tell Microsoft about this problem. We have created an error report that you can send to help us improve Microsoft Word. We will treat this report as confidential and anonymous. To see what data this error report contains, click here. Send Error Report Don't Send

Regardless of which button is clicked, the following dialog box appears:

Microsoft Word Word failed to start correctly last time. Starting Word in safe mode will help you correct or isolate a startup problem in order to successfully start the program. Some functionality may be disabled in this mode. Do you want to start Word in safe mode? Yes No

Solution
Rename or delete the normal.dot file. Normal.dot is stored in different places depending on which version of Microsoft Word and which version of Windows you have.

Windows XP: Inserting an index entry into index $0 of file 174747

2007-11-09T13:19:39Z

Option 1

Remove hard drive to be checked from original computer.
Temporarily install it into a second computer running XP*.
Start the second computer.
Note the letter of the hard drive to be checked by going to My Computer.
From a command prompt, run chkdsk as follows:

chkdsk /i /c /v /r x:

where x: is the drive letter of the problem hard drive

After chkdsk finishes, run it again, as follows:

chkdsk /x /v /r x:

where x: is the drive letter of the problem hard drive

Option 2

Boot computer using BartPE boot CD.
From a command prompt, run chkdsk as follows:

chkdsk /i /c /v /r c:

change c: to the drive letter of the problem hard drive if necessary.

After chkdsk finishes, run it again, as follows:

chkdsk /x /v /r c:

again changing c: to the drive letter of the problem hard drive if necessary.

WARNING

* WARNING!!! Be careful not to install a hard drive from a Windows 2000 or Windows NT computer into a computer running XP. Windows XP automatically forces an NTFS filesystem from Windows 2000 or Windows NT to be "upgraded", which will probably cause serious issues when reinstalling the drive into its original computer.

Windows XP: Filmstrip missing from the View menu in Explorer

2007-11-09T13:14:23Z

Solution

Right click on My Computer, then click on Properties.
Click on the Advanced tab, then click on the Settings button under the Performance group.
To enable the Filmstrip view in Explorer, check the "Use common tasks in folders" check box.

cPanel: Trying to change FTP quota fails: "The server was not able to find the document (./frontend/monsoon/ftp/editquota.html) you requested . Please check the url and try again."

2007-11-09T12:46:59Z

Solution
As root, run:

cd /usr/local/cpanel/base/frontend/monsoon/ftp ln -fs ../../x/ftp/editquota.html editquota.html ln -fs ../../x/ftp/doeditquota.html doeditquota.html

Microsoft Windows Product Key Update Tool

2007-10-30T19:28:11Z

Got a valid product key for Windows, but getting Windows Genuine Advantage notifications?
]]> Windows Product Key Update Tool from Microsoft.

It can change an invalid Windows product key for Windows XP or Windows Vista. It can handle switching from a bogus Volume License Key (such as the infamous FCKGW key).

The "PaperPort Black & White Image" printer doesn't work

2007-10-24T19:06:25Z

Problem Description
When customer tries to print to the PaperPort Black & White Image printer, nothing happens.
]]>
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

Function address 0x6a906370 caused a protection fault. (exception code 0xc0000005)
Some or all property page(s) may not be displayed.

OK

Followed by the message:

Printer Properties

The 'PaperPort Mono Printer Driver' printer driver is not installed on this computer. Some printer properties will not be accessible unless you install the printer driver. Do you want to install the driver now?

Yes No

If you click yes, the Add Printer Driver Wizard opens. The PaperPort Mono Printer Driver is not in the list of the available printers, however.

If you pick a different driver than the correct one for PaperPort Mono Printer Driver, the wizard will complete, but you receive the Function address 0x6a906370 caused a protection fault message again. The PaperPort Mono Printer still does not work, and the same error messages come up when you try to go to the properties for the PaperPort Mono Printer.

If you cancel the Add Printer Driver Wizard, you receive the Function address 0x6a906370 caused a protection fault message again. The PaperPort Mono Printer still does not work, and the same error messages come up when you try to go to the properties for the PaperPort Mono Printer.

If you click no, the PaperPort Mono Printer Driver Properties window opens, but there are property pages that are missing.

Solution
Note: Requires the original ScanSoft PaperPort 9.0 installation disk.

From the Control Panel, start Add or Remove Programs.

Scroll down to and click on the PaperPort 9.0 entry. Then click on the Change button. When asked whether you want to Repair or Remove the software, select Repair. Follow the instructions.

Notes
May work with other versions of PaperPort as well. Only tested with PaperPort 9.0.

System that originally had the problem had both versions 8.0 and 9.0 of PaperPort installed.

May also apply to the PaperPort Color Image printer.

Windows 2000: "NTDetect Failed"

2007-10-24T19:01:00Z

Problem Description
When booting up computer, message "NTDetect Failed" is displayed.

]]> Resolution
Reinstall Windows 2000. Boot from Windows 2000 CD, select Repair, select Manual repair. Uncheck everything except Startup Environment. If this doesn't work, boot from the Windows 2000 CD, select Repair, then select Fast repair.

Notes & References

http://www.jsifaq.com/SUBI/tip4200/rh4267.htm
May apply to other NT-based versions of Windows, e.g. NT 4.0, XP, 2003, et al.

Outlook Express New Mail Notification

2007-09-05T16:13:24Z

Many of Microsoft's "free" applications are intentionally missing features in an effort to entice users into purchasing the full-blown version of the application.

Outlook Express is one example.

]]>
There is, however, a program from a company called Accurate Solutions that can display pop-up notifications.

oema.exe.