April 2007 - Posts

Don't forget...

Tomorrow is the inaugural meeting of the UK Windows Management User Group, right after the UK MMS event finishes. I know that the UK MMS event is full but I'd love to see you at our user group meeting so if you plan on attending please let me know ASAP and I'll make sure the Receptionists know to expect you.

If you can’t make tomorrow but are interested in the group let me know and I’ll make sure you’re kept up-to-date of progress and future meetings.

See you tomorrow.

SP3 available today?

Rumour has it that SMS 2003 SP3 has now been released. Nothing on the public SMS Site just yet though (I think it's a bit early and it will probably be Monday/ Tuesday of next week before you see the link appear).

MMS UK Sold Out BUT....

Blimey, the UK MMS Event I blogged about the other day (http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/chobbs/archive/2007/04/16/mms-coming-to-the-uk.aspx), is now full.

BUT Microsoft have created a waitlist so if you didn't manage to register before now make sure you do so ASAP to stand a chance of making the waitlist. For those of you that have managed to register I look forward to seeing you there.

Oh and don't forget the inuagrual UK Windows Management User Group meeting right after this event finishes (we'll announce where on the day).

 

The Latest on SMS 2003 SP3...

The latest I'm hearing from Microsoft is that SMS 2003 SP3 is nearing completion and it looks like it should ship in early May. Stay tuned for more news as I hear it...
 

User Mode Process Dumper Version 8.1

The User Mode Process Dumper (userdump) dumps any running Win32 processes memory image (including system processes such as csrss.exe, winlogon.exe, services.exe, etc) on the fly, without attaching a debugger, or terminating target processes. Generated dump file can be analyzed or debugged by using the standard debugging tools.

The userdump generates dump file by several triggers;
  • Dump by specifying PID or process name from command line
  • Dump automatically when process being monitored caused exceptions
  • Dump automatically when process being monitored exited
  • Dump by pressing hot key sequence

To download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=e089ca41-6a87-40c8-bf69-28ac08570b7e&mg_id=10116&displaylang=en


UK Windows Management User Group Initial Meeting – Spread the word..!!

For sometime now a few of us have been looking to start a Systems Management User Group in the UK.  A few people “out there” have contacted me expressing an interest in such a group.  Well now is your chance to have your say.

 

On Tuesday 1st May right after the UK MMS event finishes everyone has the opportunity to meet with Microsoft, members of FAQShop, and myself to discuss the possibility of establishing such a group.  Don’t be scared, it won’t be at all formal and you won’t be tortured in anyway.  We just want to give people the opportunity to get together and exchange thoughts and ideas.

 

If for any reason you can’t make the meeting and are interested in such a group please contact me and I’ll make sure your interest is noted and you’re kept informed of the outcome of the meeting and plans for the group going forward.

MMS coming to the UK…

On Tuesday 1st May Microsoft will be hosting a “Mini-MMS” event here in the UK entitled “Microsoft Management Summit (UK) - Are you in control? How to manage and secure your infrastructure”.

 

This event will include the highlights of this year’s Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) held in San Diego last month.  Starting at 09:30, the morning will consist of three keynotes followed by lunch, and then an afternoon full of breakout sessions on various topics from SCCM to SCOM to Forefront Security to Virtualisation, the list goes on and on.

 

I’ll be there and would love to meet as many of you as possible to get your thoughts and feedback on FAQShop and how Microsoft and I can better serve the Systems Management Community.

 

To find out more/ register goto:

https://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032334551&Culture=en-GB

Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)

The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is designed to help corporate IT professionals customize and deploy the Microsoft Windows Vista™ family of operation systems. By using Windows AIK, you can perform unattended Windows installations, capture Windows images with ImageX, and create Windows PE images:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&mg_id=10116&displaylang=en

Rodney Jackson's Slides and Tools now available on the MMS website...

Microsoft have now resolved the issue with Rodney's PPT Slide deck and utilities not appearing on the MMS website. To access these simply log into the MMS site, click on "Session Scheduler" and then filter by "Speaker: Rodney Jackson".

 Happy downloading.

New Page - SMS 2003 Tools and Utilities

Been feeling under the weather this week hence the lack of updates.

Anyway, I've just created a new page containing what I consider are useful SMS 2003 Tools and Utilities which you can access using the link below.

If you have any suggestions for additions to this page please feel to post the details here/ contact me.

http://www.faqshop.com/sms2003/sms2k3toolutil.htm

My Hips Don't Lie...

WOW - Necy and I went to see Shakira in concert last night. After waiting for 2 1/2 hours she finally came on stage and boy was it worth the wait.

Man she can sing and dance and when she finished off the encore with "My Hips Don't Lie" (my favourite Shakira song), the place went absolutely nuts (and so did we Big Smile)

Posted by chobbs | 1 comment(s)
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HP Client Catalog for SMS announced at MMS 2007

As announced during Bill Anderson's "State of the Union" presentation at MMS this year, HP have now released a Client Catalog for SMS. More details here...

Critical Mouse Patch is Now Available

Rather than waiting for Patch Tuesday Microsoft have today released the Patch that cures the flaw within the animated mouse cursor within Windows. Here's the security bulletin:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS07-017.mspx

Posted by chobbs | 1 comment(s)

"Error code = 8202" when attempting to Extend the Schema

Seeing this error when extending the Schema? Here's what to do about it... [Go to article]

Goodbye old friend...

Well after many years of sterling service my 1E mini optical mouse has finally given up on me (not surprising after the bashing it's had from me over the last few years).

 I was given my little rodent friend at MMS (I think MMS 2004 or maybe 2005). Don't worry I'm not going to be retiring him to the big Recycle Bin in the sky just yet.

Some cool tools and utilities for SMS

My fellow MVP Steve Bobosky has developed some AWESOME tools and utilities to enhance SMS. He's now decided to "go it alone" and setup his own company called "System Center Tools LLC".

So if you want to see what tools Steve has developed drop by his new website at:

http://www.systemcentertools.com/index.html

Good luck with your new venture Steve.

What is it with the Americans and tea?

At MMS there was a severe tea shortage. Not a big deal unless you're an Englishman.

So today, I'm asking Americans to wake up and smell the...

 

At MMS English Breakfast (or ordinary) tea was in short supply. If you liked Ceylon, Orange or any other tea apart from regular tea you were in luck. However, if you wanted just plain simple, ordinary tea then you'd be hard pressed (thanks to Chris and Brad by the way for helping stem the drought of ordinary tea bags).

Just imagine wanting just coffee yet all you can have is latte, cappuccino, or every other type of coffee EXCEPT regular coffee - now do you get my point? Wink

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My Blog updated with MMS Stuff

Well I've just finished updating my Blog with all of the "stuff" from MMS (publishing the content on the relevant dates), so if you want to find out what happended at MMS drop by...

My MMS Pics

OK, to make things easier I've decided to split my MMS pics out onto three separate pages as follows:

  • USS Midway - The pictures I took whilst aboard the USS Midway which I visited on the Sunday
  • MMS - Pictures taken during MMS itself
  • MMS Swag - speaks for itself

Enjoy.