Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Win2K Registry Permission Fix

Learned something today about a useful tool to reset permissions on a Windows 2000 Server. I'm working with a Domain Controller, so Special Instructions Apply, but this also works with other flavors of 2000. Don't know about other versions of Windows, not my problem at this moment.

M$ kinda buggered up the instructions and setup for doing this on a DC, so here is my all-in-one instruction. Note: ONLY ATTEMPT THIS IF YOU ARE HAVING PERMISSION PROBLEMS AND ONLY IF YOU HAVE A VERIFIED FULL SYSTEM BACKUP. THIS COULD LEAVE YOUR DOMAIN CONTROLLER UNABLE TO BOOT!!!

1. Find your sysvol folder path by typing net share sysvol at the command prompt. Usually the path is "c:\winnt\sysvol\sysvol"; make note of yours.

2. Find your DSLOG path by opening regedit and going to HKLM\System\SurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters and recording what you find under "Database log files path"; this is usually c:\winnt\ntds.

3. Find your DSDIT path in HKLM\System\SurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters under "DSA working directory"; usually c:\winnt\ntds.

DO NOT GUESS AT THESE PARAMETERS!!

4. Now we need to set the variable: assuming that you have the same data as I do, you will go to the command prompt and type:

set SYSVOL=c:\winnt\sysvol [note: we left off the ending "sysvol", that is correct]

set DSLOG=c:\winnt\ntds

set DSDIT=c:\winnt\ntds

5. Open the MMC; since we are sitting at the command prompt just type MMC and hit "enter".

6. On the "Console" menu click "Ad/Remove Snap-in".

7. Click "Add", and then double-click "Security Configuration and Analysis".

8. Click "Close", "OK".

9. Right-click "Security Configuration and Analysis", then click "Open Database". Create a new database file, you can name it whatever you want. I used my name. You will then be prompted to import a security template.

10. In the "Look in" list browse to c:\winnt\inf\. Select Defltdc.inf.

11. After you import the template, follow the directions in the right pane to configure the computer with the security settings in the template.

If you are not working with a Domain Controller, you will skip steps 1-4 and start with step 5. In step 10 you will select, depending on what you are working with:

Defltwk.inf = Windows 2000 Professional
Defltsv.inf = Windows 2000 Server
Defltdc.int = Windows 2000 Server Domain Controller

Note that although this did fix the registry permissions problems I was having, it did not fix my inability to install a program, so I will be looking further.

Hours Later

I got everything going. I'm not entirely clear what happened. I was under the impression that following the above process would restore both Registry AND File permissions. Maybe it did. But the "System" and "Service" accounts had NO permissions in "Winnt" or "Program Files". Once I gave them full perms then everything started working correctly. I'm very glad; I thought I was going to put in 48 hours of work to rebuild everything, looks like it's cleaned up after about 8 hours. Not too bad. I still need to rebuild this server, but it can now wait until the new hardware is here and installed.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Cold Tonight?

The forecast is for -21°F, with windchills around -35°. The block heater on Vger seemed to work great last night (0°F).

Today has been a day of frustration. I'm trying to do the EOY for our Great Plains installation, and it's not going well at all.

Up to (and including) version 8, upgrades were simple. But, M$ was still using the old programming that they bought. With Version 9, they made the break with the old Great Plains and made it more of a M$ program, including using the Windows Installer. Before v9, everything was controlled by .ini, .set, and .dic files. In v9, in addition to using these files there are also many many Registry entries.

Well, to make a long story short, something on the Server in the Windows Installer is broken. Something in the Registry. As usual, M$ suggestion is to re-install Windows. On a server. That is a Domain Controller. That is a DHCP server. That hosts all the SQL databases for the company.

Well, I've been going to demote the server to a member for quite a while, and there is a plan to move most of the databases to new hardware that has just started arriving today. But, the updates to GP must be done before the first payroll of 2009 can be processed (taxes), so now the problems cannot be pushed back any longer.

So, guess what I will be doing New Years Eve and Day? Building a server and restoring databases to it. Just what I've always wanted to do. Got to have it done by Friday morning so that reports that need to be run at the beginning of 2009 can be run before the first Payroll.

yep. A marathon session. yippee.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Too confused/busy to blog the last few days.  I managed to get off early on Christmas Eve and took Christmas Day and Friday off.  I was actually carrying the Master Pager for the group and only got one page the entire weekend, and the problem was solved before I could return the call; so "work" was not the problem.

We'll start on 12/21, when we finally setup the (fake) Christmas Tree.


I think the picture is much prettier with the flash turned off:


Then we move to Christmas Eve, We had a couple of snow storms and some very cold weather, so on Christmas Eve (and Day) the roads were very icy. Driving past the neighbors house I noticed an eagle sitting in the tree looking out over the road and field beyond.


On Christmas Day the roads were still very icy, but the scenery was beautiful.



Spent most of Christmas Day in Bemidji with the kids.  This was Phillip's first Christmas.  I really remember very little about my childhood, but I do remember that I loved Legos (still do, actually).  I have a set of Legos that were always at my grandparents, if you look thru the "Slides" you can find at least one photo of me playing with them.  One of the first gifts I gave our kids was Legos, and I decided that would be my first Christmas Present for Phillip, start his collection of Legos.  I got him a simple Duplo set to get started with.




Phillip played with Matt and Evolena a bit, he's getting quite the winning smile now.


Matt made up some more burned plaque; Jon got a Dragon and Patty a Mermaid, that face each other.


Evan got a plaque also, the Lord's Prayer - in Finnish.

Evolena also got a plaque of a Dragon


On Friday we took it (more or less) easy. On Saturday Matt and I (and a couple of helpers) went over to Jim's and installed a frost plug block heater in Vger. Haven't had to use it - yet. Tomorrow night we have a forecast for -20, so I'll get to test it then.

Went bowling Sunday with the neighbor's; I figure it's the first time in nearly 20 years I've tried to roll a ball at some pins. I did manage an 86 with a strike and a couple of spares and several gutter balls.

When we got home from Bowling I found Bear under the Christmas Tree

Gas in GR went to 1.659 on Friday, I believe Bemidji was at 1.629 on Christmas Day.

Until Later!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Updates

A couple of updates to the previous post:

I'm wishing I had installed the block heater; Vger barely started this morning and the Horizon did not. -20°F this morning, at noon we are finally up to -6°F.

I just heard thru the grapevine that the driver of the semi involved in Friday's accident was DOA at St. Luke's. I do not have any official corroboration of that info.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

20-Dec

Getting a bit behind.

Gas dropped to 1.679 12/19 in GR, at the same time gas in Bemidji was 1.659. Closest it's been for some time.

On the way back from Bemidji about 6:30 12/19 we passed a fresh accident scene. Found out this morning that a semi load of OSB tried to pass a pickup truck just east of Bena, the semi lost control on the very icy highway, side-swiped the pickup, spun, and flipped. The pickup went off the road, the driver was apparently uninjured, the semi looked like it had been wadded up and thrown into the trees, wheels on the tractor were up and the cab was flattened down nearly to the engine; the trailer was bent and twisted with OSB flung over the surrounding area. The driver of the semi was flown to St Luke's in Duluth with broken ribs and a punctured lung. Very lucky. We were about 15 minutes behind the accident, emergency vehicles passed us maybe a mile before the scene. We had to wait while they cleared the highway of debris, then, while they were still waiting for Luke's One to arrive, they allowed traffic thru.

Just about 1-1/2 weeks ago, a couple of miles further east on Highway 2, a VW Jetta suddenly swerved out into an oncoming lumber truck. The driver of the Jetta was dead at the scene, both vehicles were destroyed by fire. The semi driver had minor injuries. The roads were clear and dry at the time, there was no other traffic, and no-one alive today knows why the Jetta suddenly swerved into the oncoming traffic.

Picked up a block heater the other day, O'Reilly's was surpried that they actually received all 3 that they ordered. Still have not decided how or where or when to install the heater.

It's starting to snow again. 4-6 inches forecast for today, 8 to 16 inches forecast over the weekend. I'm afraid we won't be going very far this weekend.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

16 Dec More Colder?

We showed -30°F this morning, by 11AM it had warmed up to -20°F. Neither Vger nor the Red Horizon wanted to start. Finally got Vger to start about 11, Matt got the Horizon to start after he got home from school about 3 PM using ether. Currently -6°F now at 7 PM, I think today’s Hi was about -5°F.

Need to look to be certain, but apparently Vger, the Horizon, and Stripez do not have block heaters. Hard to believe. I think that Vger might have a heater but no cord, but the heater goes on the rear side of the engine in the center frost plug, which means that it is very difficult to reach. We will need to check that tonight when we get home. Tonight’s low is supposed to be -14°F, which is a lot better. The Horizon may still have trouble starting though.

I went shopping for block heaters. Apparently, by noon today everyone was out of stock. NAPA, Car Quest, O’Reilly’s, L&M are all out. No frost plug heaters, no magnetic heaters. There are a couple of tank heaters out there. O’Reilly’s has ordered 3 frost plug heaters, but my parts guy says they will be lucky to get 1. I’m going to try to get there when the doors open and grab one, $20. Won’t get to install it until Saturday, if then. Not sure which car will get it. Vger is going to be retired when Stripez is complete, but right now Stripez is buried in a snow drift. Probably, the heater will go in the Horizon. As long as we have at least one car that will start at -30° it will be OK, we can work around that.

With the school closings Monday and the generally very poor road conditions, work was pretty quiet. But today things were jumping, and when I tried to dial in the best I could get was an occasional 19.2 Kbps working between mostly 17 Kbps. Was very glad to get Vger running and get to my desk.

To get an idea how cold it was, here is a picture of the inside of the front door this morning. Yes, that is frost on the screws, striker plate, and lock knob. In the heated (68F) entry way.


Monday, December 15, 2008

After the Blizzard

I guess for us technically it wasn't a blizzard.  I believe that the technical requirement for a blizzard includes "visibility less than 1/4 mile".  I think that visibility was less than 1/4 mile for several brief periods, and it was less than 1/2 mile for most of Sunday.

Right now it is -11°F; NWS says that the wind chill is -36°F.  We have an honest 1' of snow, and 2' drifts in the yard including right in front of both cars, so we will need to dig thru those before we can even think about going somewhere. I think once the drifts are gone that Vger can get thru the driveway, but more work will be required to get the Horizon down the driveway. Still haven’t got the plow tractor running yet.

Not going to make it to my desk today; instead I will be working from home over dial-up. Ah, the pain.

Friday, December 12, 2008

12-Dec Colder

The thermometer at home said -20°F, the NWS says -10°F.  I was shivering too much to read the thermometers in town.


Ran ourselves out of propane at home; not sure how.  I'm sure the gauge read 30% last Friday, but it is empty now.  Might have something to do with all the house cleaning and traffic thru the house all week.


Vendors have been sending "Customer Appreciation" gifts of fancy chocolates all week, I'm eating myself sick.


When I call my UniCel phone I get a message that service has been suspended.  All the cell phones owned by the hospital say that when you call them.


Gas in GR is still at 1.699.  We'll be going to Bemidji tonight, see what it is there.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

11 Dec - Cold

-10°F this morning at home; NWS says -2°F, sign in town says -5°F. Cold enough for me. Got maybe 2" of snow yesterday, plus a lot of drifting. The roads kind of vanished for a bit as the blowing snow made it hard to see where they were and obliterated the tire tracks. Driveway isn't bad enough to worry about yet.


Matt got the Suburban finished yesterday afternoon. Went together easier then it came apart, mostly because he already had it figured out. After the owner replaced the bald tires last night it handles the snow very nicely.



Vger's temp gauge didn't get to 180°F until half way to town, and it has so many leaks that it never did warm up inside. Need to finish the engine on Stripez so Vger can be laid to rest and parted out.

Got the new cord on the heater.  What a pain that was.  And, it is only a 45,000 BTU heater (the other is 115,000 BTU), not nearly enough to keep the garage warm.  And I think I need to clean the nozzle or something on it, the flame isn't nearly as bright and there is a distinct smell of diesel exhaust; I ended up opening the garage door a couple of feet, the wind and snow were then blowing straight in the garage so I finally turned the thing off and just used my little sunflower; at least that doesn't smell and there's no wind and snow so I can warm my hands up momentarily.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

10 Dec

Gas went to 1.699 yesterday.

Snowing to beat heck outside, 1"/hour.  Forecast 5-7 inches today.  And the snow plow tractor isn't done.  Ah well.

Economic news continues to get gloomier.  There are even rumors of layoffs at Blandin here in GR.  Since Blandin makes coated paper usually used for adverts and mags they typically see steady or increased business during economic downturns as businesses increase advertising, but with the rise of global e-business many companies are turning to the Internet to increase their visibility, and mags have been losing subscribers steadily over the last few years as more people use the internet.  Blandin's warehouses are reportedly full now, so they will need to cut back sharply soon.  Since they are one of the major employers in the county it will be a big blow here.  However, they still seem to be shipping paper since I still see the special train delivering clay and hauling away 5-8 boxcars of paper daily.  We'll see.

I'm still waiting to see the new Sherwin-Williams paint store close.  I was very surprised when they opened it last spring, back on a side road behind the new Super Wal-Mart.  I have never seen any other cars in its parking lot other than the two employees.  I have been in twice looking for paint products that they do not sell only to end up at my usual hardware store where they do sell the product I'm looking for.  I suppose that they are primarily aimed at the professional painting contractor rather than the homeowner or hobbyist, and maybe contractors will keep them open.  Our local ProBuild (formerly UBC) never has any vehicles in the parking lot, but rumor is that most contractors in the area use them and that is how they stay open.  They must give contractors a pretty deep discount if that is true; every time  I have priced them they have been nearly twice as expensive as any other source in the area.

Need to go get parts to fix a heater.  The heater we used while working on the Suburban needs to go back to its owner today; and the one that is to replace it needs a new power cord.  The ground prong was bent over and when I tried to straighten it the prong broke off.  Since we are working here with diesel and electricity I want it to be properly grounded when we plug it in.  Would have been easy to just put a new plug on the cord, but the cord is only 2" long to begin with and there just isn't room to cut it off and start over.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

9 Dec

Gas in GR went to 1.729 sometime yesterday.

Changed oil in Vger and the Red Horizon on Sunday to Valvoline 5w-30. Vger barely started after the cold night and we had to jump-start the Horizon. Neither car has a block heater, not sure why I didn't get one installed on the Horizon while it was apart. I need to see about doing that soon. Vger has an oversized battery, but I don't know of a bigger one that will fit the Horizon, it needs a small, reversed terminal battery and doesn't have room for anything different.

Matt got the steering box out of the Suburban and removed the old pitman arm and put on the new one, just need to figure out how to torque it to 160 ft-lbs. Need a big vice on a big bench or something like that. The 115,000 btu heater makes a big difference in the garage. If I had $3-400 I'd get one.

Monday, December 8, 2008

8 Dec

Well, I think we can say that winter has really come in. Saturday night we officially hit -11° (although my thermometer showed -20°) and we got an honest 2" of snow on Sunday.


Roads are very icy this morning; as I followed the UPS semi (with doubles) into the round-about about 75 ft back at 10 mph and barely managed to keep from hitting him, the road was solid glare ice. Traffic on Hiway 2 that is normally 10%-15% over the speed limit was 10% below this morning.


Went to Bemidji on Saturday, good trip and lots of fun. Spent Saturday trying to help Matt work on the neighbor's '97 Suburban. The joint between the pitman and the drag link has a lot of slack, so we are replacing the pitman. Normally shouldn't be that hard of a job, except that in this case the pitman barely clears the front frame crossmember and so the steering box must be totally removed from the vehicle to R&R the pinion. We made it as far as getting the box loose, we just need to figure out how to snake it out of the hole now. Fortunatly we are working inside the neighbor's garage, so we are out of the snow and wind, but the garage isn't heated. We used my little "sunflower" yesterday, but that mostly just lets us warm our hands occasionally. I think we are going to have a 150,000 btu reddy-heater tonight which should make it easier.

Friday, December 5, 2008

It's Friday!! (again)

Well, it was only 7°F this morning, I'm disappointed that it didn't get below 0°F (just kidding). Snow is on radar, might get a couple of inches this afternoon thru tomorrow morning.



I've created a new page "New Slide Collection" to organize the new scans of the old slides.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

4 Dec

Gas this morning is at 1.829.

Temp this morning is at 5°F with a light dusting of snow.  Forecast is -3° tonight, first below 0°F.

Pain level very high this morning; don't know how much longer I can sit at my desk; may need to go home and take some pain killers.

I have restarted scanning the slides, my new scans are much better than the old ones, so I will be replacing the old with the new.  I'm doing good to get between 5 and ten slides an evening; takes nearly 10 minutes to do each one.  These scans are approx 3000 x 2000, I will be posting approx 800 x 600 but originals can be emailed or made available for download upon request.  Here's a sample:



The filename is 19790632-M-LoneCypress.jpg.  Format is YearMonthNumber-size-Info; in this case the date and sequence number printed on the slide indicate that it was developed June of 1979 slide number 32, Medium size (could be Original or Small) and I happen to know that this is the Lone Cypress.  Info may include what is written on the slide or the names of the people or place pictured when I know it.

Monday, December 1, 2008

December already

Yup, today is December First, or in Xanth, Dismember First. Or, maybe, Disremember First.

Gas yesterday 11/30 in Bemidji was 1.719, in GR it is still 1.899.

Some days I don't know why I bother looking at the news. Officials found 9 headless bodies in Tijauna Sunday. Over 4000 people have died in drug related violence this year in Mexico. A seige of Mumbai, India left 172 people dead over three days last week. A temp worker at a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream NY was killed as Black Friday crowds blew down the doors at the 5AM opening. GM owned Saab and Ford owned Volvo are having financial problems and Ford and GM are asking the Swedish government for help. Chinese manufacturing orders dropped sharply last month. Black Friday sales figures appear to be down from last years. Since Black Friday can be 10% of a stores annual sales, and sales are already down this year, most retailers books aren't going to make it into the black. Japanese factory output is down.

Sunday while in Bemidji I noticed that I was approaching an odometer milestone, so I tried to photograph it. Almost succeeded; I was on a quiet stretch of road, getting into position, when three cars suddenly came up behind me, so the picture ended up being really poor, but here it is, Vger hitting 222,222.2 miles at 22 mph:



If only I'd been an hour earlier it would have been even better.

Pretty nice weather so far this winter. No snow to speak of yet, we haven't been below 0°F yet.

Codex Alera: Princeps Fury arrived in Friday's mail. Wow. Jim Butcher has outdone himself. In the penultimate book of the series he has opened up many more questions. He answered the question of Invidia Aquitane with a question. He answered the question of Attis Aquitane with a question. He answered the question of Raucus Antillus with a question. He answered the question of Kalarus Brencis Minoris with an final answer (I think).