Hyper-V Manager Error

This is the second time I've run into this problem, so I figured I better post about it. Perhaps it will help some other tech folk and remind myself.

This is not necessarily specific to Hyper-V, other MMC snap-in's won't open as well. This issue occurs after an update to .net.

Here is the error message:

MMC could not create the snap-in. The snap-in might not have been installed correctly.
Name: Hyper-V Manager
CLSID: FX:{922180d7-b74e-45f6-8c74-4b560cc100a5} <<--or some such number.

Here is the fix:

1. Remove .net 3.5 from your computer

That was easy.

Having Issues Promoting a New Domain Controller over VPN?

Sometimes running dcpromo on a new server across a VPN will fail. Instead of looking for a new career, it's easier to use an "Install From Media" method to promote the new DC. In this scenario, you are promoting the new server with a file from an existing Global Catalog (GC) that contains all of the Active Directory (AD) content. Both servers should be running the same version of server OS ( e.g. both servers are 2008 R2). It might work if they are not, but ...

Try this out:

1. Join the new server to the same domain of the GC server
2. On the existing GC open up a Command Prompt using "Run as Administrator"
3. Run the NTDSUTIL command
4. Type in "activate instance ntds"
5. Type in "ifm" for "Install from Media"
6. Create a folder called "NTDSrestore" at the root of the GC's C:\ drive
7. Type in "create sysvol full c:\NTDSrestore" This will backup all the AD stuff and the SYSVOL folder (leave out the "sysvol" part of the command, if you don't have Server 2008 R2). Go stretch your legs, this will take 10+ minutes to complete
8. Type "quit" twice
9. On the new server, create a "NTDSrestore" folder at the root of C:\
10. Assuming you have a VPN between the two sites, use Robocopy to move the files from the GC to the new server.
11. robocopy /E /COPYALL c:\NTDSrestore \\newservername\c$\NTDSretore (IP address works as well).  Time this will take depends on bandwidth.
12. When the data transfer finishes, complete the "Install From Media" method for promoting the new domain controller.
13. Run DCPROMO, select the Advanced option.
14. At the "Install from Media" screen, select "Replicate data from media at the following location"
15. Find something to do while the wizard completes.
16. Celebrate!

Geez...it's been awhile

I guess Google is kind enough not to shut these things down if I don't post. Aww...thanks Goog!

Anyhoo...same old same old going on. Maintaining computers, installing phone systems, figuring out solutions for people, and trying to stay on top of it all.

Oh...and I just acquired a truck. The new love of my life and frequent emptier of my wallet. It's a gorgeous '81 Chevy. That is, if you can look past all the dents and rust and missing windows and tore up seats and...

I'll post some pictures after I take them...

Exchange 2003 to 2007 Moving Hell

After spending my weekend on moving mailboxes from a 2003 to a 2007 server, I've finally conquered the upgrade project.  You would think the 'Move Mailbox' utility built in to 2007 would work.  Well...sort of.  It did work for about a third of the mailboxes.  All the users with tiny mailboxes, of course. The others would error out with dialog messages that I couldn't find help with.

Gave up on 'Move Mailbox' after giving it a few chances.  Went back to good ole ExMerge to extract the the stuck mailboxes data and create PST files.  After verifying the mailbox stats between the PST files and old Exchange server, I deleted the mailboxes from the old server.  Finally, recreated each user and mail account on the new server and began to import the PST files.

Well, someone decided at M$ to not allow importing mailboxes from 32-bit Exchange to Exchange 2007 64-bit.  WTF?!  Overcame that roadblock by installing the 32-bit Exchage Management Extensions on an XP machine to get the process going, again.

For some added confusion, whoever created the original accounts misspelled most of the company staff names.  So, I had to import each PST file individually, matching the incorrect name to the newly created mailboxes.  Probably should have asked the CEO how he spelled his last name, or slyly nabbed a business card ... thanks for the opportunity previous IT guy!

Anyways, it was a fun weekend getting this one finished.  I did manage to wash some laundry and take the trash out.  I am sure the love and admiration from the users will be worth it.

Hello World!

Well here it is, my first blog posting. Thought I'd never do this, being leary of creating a public image for the web, but hey, things can change. Not sure how to run with this, but certainly I'll be posting on technology, current events, and my adventures. Hopefully this'll help to make me an internet millionaire! =)