some Mac set up concepts

Setting up access to a Windows server:

Go -> Connect to Server and put in cifs://aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd - it's the same as smb




Setting up Entourage 2008 with an Exchange server:

When Entourage first opens up, it asks you what kind of server you are on. Cancel out of that. You are not able to get through that without entering a valid LDAP server that you can log on to.

Instead, go to Tools -> Accounts and create a new Exchange account.

Account ID, domain, and password are self explanatory and the only other field that is required is the Exchange server field, where you can use the URL for webmail (including the HTTPS and the /exchange at the end).

Setting up VNC on a Leopard Mac:

http://lifehacker.com/software/how-to/remote-control-leopard-with-tightvnc-319528.php

making BlackBerry show contents of subfolders

On your BB . . .

From messages, Options, Email Settings, Menu -> Folder redirection.
Make sure whatever folders they want the BES checking have a check mark.

Sharepoint error: ‘Edit document’ requires a Windows SharePoint Services-compatible application and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater

I had a user get this error when trying to edit a Sharepoint doc:



I read the necessary article from MS, and it was no help:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893698

but then I found this article:

http://yunetasblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/sharepoint-error-when-try-to-edit.html

which said that owssupp.dll add-on in IE could be disabled, which in fact was the case. So I enabled the owssupp.dll add-on in IE and then Sharepoint acted normally.

uninstalling Office 2003

Long ago, I stopped installing Office from CDs. There were too many instances where I was doing something with Office (uninstalling, running it for the first time on a new profile, or accessing some feature) where it wanted the original install CDs. So I started either installing it from the network (for desktops) or installing it from a folder on the HD where I had copied all install files.

I thought that this problem went away with Office 2003 - so it did not ask for CDs after the original install. But twice in two weeks I was proven wrong. These were both on installs I did not do since I still to this day follow my Office install methods even though I had thought they were no longer necessary.

Anyway - in each ocassion, I was doing an uninstall, and it wanted the original install CDs. And of course, the god damn install files are different for an OEM CD and a retail CD. I'm just bitter because today I was doing an uninstall remotely and I had to retrieve about 30 CAB files remotely (I found this site - which was immensely helpful, even though it didn't have quite all the CAB files I needed, the rest I FTP'd to myself) - http://turbidvisions.com/misc/msoffice2003/

So the lesson for today is - keep installing from sources you will always have access to. You won't regret it.

run the setup wizard on Blackberries

I'm still not a Blackberry guy, but . . .

In this particular case, I'm setting up a T-Mobile BB Curve (BB 8300). There is no Enterprise Activation icon. So I troubleshoot and find this:

The tips listed below are items that will help you if you have received an error message while attempting an Enterprise Activation or if you are unable to find the Enterprise Activation option.

• If this device is a "re-activated" device, check the software version. You can do this by going to Options (the wrench), then choosing About. The software version must be at least v4.0 or 2.7 (Java & C++ devices respectively). If your software does not meet this standard, you must upgrade it. The software is device specific and is generally provided by the wireless carriers support pages.
• New devices and re-activated devices all need data service, this data service generally accompanies a phone service (even if the phone portion isn't going to be used). You must always be sure to activate your phone with your wireless carrier. Most carriers have some type of activation process you will need to follow. An example would be Verizon, who requires that you dial *228 and follow the prompts to program your new phone.
• Registering on the data network is the next step. You can do this by going to Options > Host Routing Tables, then clicking in on the scroll to receive a side menu that will give you the option of "Register Now". Choose this option by clicking on the scroll, and when the registration is complete you will receive a message in your Messages folder that will indicate that it is finished.
• Check with your wireless carrier to ensure that you have applied the correct data package to your device. A good example of this type of situation is T-Mobile, who requires a special Enterprise Package which enables you to use a Blackberry Enterprise Server.

In addition, as per some other troubleshooting I did on a BB 8800, you really should run the setup wizard on on your BB's home screen. Most of it is meaningless, but the last step asks if you are going to run enterprise activation. For this 8300, I told it I wanted to use Ent. Act. and it gave me the appropriate screen. However, it didn't work. Perhaps that's becuase right before that, I followed a step from the list above and called T-Mobile to request the Enterprise package for this device, and they said it would be active 10 minutes to 48 hours from that point.

uninstall TrendMicro Messaging Suite Client without the password

I loathe the Trend Micro Messaging Suite. But I had an instance today where I had to uninstall the client version of the program from a laptop. The thing about this program is that it requires the Trend Micro administrator's password to uninstall it. This was put in place by someone else, so I didn't have it. I found this trick to having it not ask for the password:

Find HKLM\SOFTWARE\TrendMicro\PC-cillinNTCorp\CurrentVersion\Misc. and set "Allow Uninstall" = 1

Windows XP SP 3 won't install with KB 925877 installed

For some insane reason, Windows XP SP 3 won't install if you have a certain hotfix/patch installed. There's no way to uninstall it, but I found this workaround - which worked fine:

When installing today Windows XP SP3 from Microsoft Update, I got an error message immediately after it began downloading the update. Tried downloading the entire package from the Microsoft Download Center and after unpacking the installer, I got an error message saying that I needed to uninstall KB925877, a package related to remote desktop connection.

If you have installed the latest version of RDP, then you must have installed the package KB925877, but this package is not visible on the Add/remove programs, so you can't uninstall it on that location, you must search on the registry editor and delete the corresponding registry.

The exact path is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Hotfix\KB925877.

Just delete the registry and try installing SP3 one more time, it should run fine and won't give you any other error messages.

don't forget reverse DNS

I recently built a mail server for a client. It went as smoothly as it could have . . .

until I started getting reports of delays and undeliverables from AOL addresses and Juno addresses. I had forgotten to set up a reverse DNS entry. Frankly, I think a reverse DNS entry (PTR entry) is a meaningless way to address spam issues - but what can you do?

Someone seriously needs to take the lead and start enforcing SPF records. Anyway, don't forget to create reverse DNS entries. And in case anyone other than me ever reads this blog - a reverse DNS entry is created by your ISP - not your DNS host.