EENetworks Tech Notes

init script for vncreflector

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:58:59 -0500

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).

buildMetarDB.php & SQLite

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:43:05 -0500

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

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:24:35 -0500

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

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:19:45 -0500

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

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:17:34 -0500

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?"

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:15:46 -0500

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

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:30:16 -0500

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

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:07:16 -0500

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

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:19:39 -0500

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

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:14:23 -0500

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."

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:46:59 -0500

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

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:28:11 -0500

Got a valid product key for Windows, but getting Windows Genuine Advantage notifications?

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

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:06:25 -0500

Problem Description
When customer tries to print to the PaperPort Black & White Image printer, nothing happens.

Windows 2000: "NTDetect Failed"

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:01:00 -0500

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

Outlook Express New Mail Notification

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:13:24 -0500

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.