Incremental Data backup to USB disk with scheduler - robocopy

For small office server data backup where online/cloud backup is not feasible/preferred one can use robocopy function which is part of windows OS. Once we choose the command options properly, it supports full + differential backup on regular basis i.e. first time it will take full backup of data and then only changed files are backed up/added to backup destination folder which may be a USB backup disk OR network share.

Example:

robocopy \\server\D H:\1_D /S /E /XO /XF *.SYS *.EXE /XD \\SERVER\D\ABC \\SERVER\D\Soft /MT:16 /LOG+:H:\svrDlog.txt /NFL /NDL

(This command backs up \\server\D drive dirs & files to H:\1_D folder.) Pls. note that when we backup a data volume not directory (i.e. D drive here), robocopy does hides the destination folder which needs to be unhide by using Microsoft attrib command.

attrib -h -s H:\1_D

As mentioned in robocopy command /XD is to exclude source directory from backup set and /XF is to exclude specific file type from backup set. Also one can add /MAX:10485760 (to limit file size to 10MB) i.e. files greater than 10MB in size will not be backed up.

Both these commands can be used in dos batch file which can be scheduled in windows task scheduler to run at specific time. Also as mentioned LOG is appended to logfile mentioned. We can verify backup status by viewing logfile.

Sharepoint Documents Library sync to Onedrive

Problem faced while syncing sharepoint library to onedrive. Getting error as:

Sorry, OneDrive can't add your folder right now.

Problem was identified with the design/behaviour in which the sync works.  It works only when user computer is member of domain. Once the system is joined to domain, this is resolved.

Windows 10 Performance Improvement

Windows 10 comes with many features of which there are features which are not used on desktop, especially on PCs which are used in our labs.

Below mentioned is a list of features/programs which can be removed from desktop PCs which are with windows 10 and also mentioned few other settings for performance enhancement.

1.       Remove unwanted programs. – Onedrive

2.       Stop unwanted Services : IP helper, Offline files, Themes, Geolocation

3.       From settings (windows key + A) –

a.       System settings : Tablet mode : Desktop only.

b.       Devices : Bluetooth : OFF

c.       Apps : Uninstall -> Adobe Photoshop express, Microsoft News,  Mobile plans, skype, weather, Xbox Live

d.       Privacy : Go through all tabs and most of the sub-options shall be turned OFF

4.       Turn off visual effects : System > Advanced system settings and choose Advanced from the tabs above. Under Performance, choose Settings. Adjust for best performance to shut off all visual effects.

5.       Windows update active hours : If windows update is set to automatic then we shall set this active hours to non-peak hours.

Error 27850 : installing cisco vpn client on windows 10 - error 27850 unable to manage networking component

Reason : Installer not being able to make the required changes to fully add the DNE driver to the system. 
Download citrix DNE driver (64-bit) and then vpn client gets installed properly.

sonicwall global VPN client connectivity issues - The peer is not responding to phase 1 ISAKMP

Solution : Use latest GVC client ver. 4.10.2.0428

In Global VPN client connection entry : properties -> General tab.

Tick on “Restrict the size of the first ISAKMP packet sent”

Lumia Phone issues - complete software reset

You can use windows device recovery tool for resolving several issues on a lumia phone.

It helps to completely erase and then re-load /update of firmware.

Issues which I have faced and got resolved using this tool : 

One lumia handset was not allowing email configuration even after specifying all correct settings.

Other phone had issue of : Lumia 940 handset, user had updated to windows 10 and later somehoe many of the menus were missing. User was not able to see call logs & many other menus.

This resolved by re-load of same firmware. This software detects and then automatically downloads the required firmware from internet.

LTO tape drive installation in VM - windows 2012

Setup LTO tape drive on a VM 6.5 guest having windows 2012 OS.

HBA241 adaptor was in place.

1. In VM host settings - Manager hardware - smart HBA H241 - toggle passthrough.

2. This will allow it to be directly connected in VM.

3. Then in VM guest settings add hardware - PCI device. It shall show HBA241 device. 
4. Memory reservation is to be set equal to full memory allocated to that particular VM.

5. Start VM guest OS and one can see storage adapter in device manager.

Windows updates in windows7 is very slow and high CPU usage

Windows 7 updates keeps searching for updates and even after 4-6 hours no updates are displayed.
Another observation is CPU usage is high.

After installing MS patch - 3102810, windows update worked properly.

Android tab : skype logged in but status remains invisible and can't chat/voice call through skype

Below option worked:
Cleared the app data (Android settings -> Application Manager - Skype - Clear Data.)
Then able to log in successfully do voice/chat calls. Also able to toggle between Available and Invisible.

Powerpoint file size reduction

1.       Save as PPT 2007 format if its in older format.

2.       Open the file saved in step1.

3.       Scroll and go to a slide where there is a picture.

4.       Click on picture, go to format tab. Select compress pictures.

5.       In Options

6.       Target output : click “e-mail (96 ppi)” & select “automatically perform basic compression on save” & “delete cropped areas of pictures”.

7.       Ok, Ok.

8.       This will reduce file size by almost 50%.

9.       Further can be reduced by publishing it as PDF.

10.   File – Save as : PDF or XPS – Select “Optimize for:” minimum size (publishing online). 

Using above steps a PPT file of size 15 MB got reduced to less than 5 MB.

Multiple Contact Lists in Blackberry - Transferring to outlook

This is regarding multiple address lists observed in blackberry handset. This happens when different email ID s are configured and each brings its own contact list to handset.

I am Sharing the details to synchronize all these address lists with outlook.

 1.       On BB handset go to contacts : Options.

2.       Here you will see entries in contact lists. It will show all available different contact lists (list1, default, unknown ,2,3,4.....). Each list contains nos. of contacts.

3.       Click on list1 and it will show no. of entries in that. Note it down. Disable wireless sync on BB handset for contacts.

4.       Then through BBDesktopMgr synch with outlook. (do one way sync from handset to computer). It will transfer the contacts of list1 to outlook.

5.       Again go to handset – contacts – options. Select that address list and without going in just type “rset” on keyboard. It will ask “wireless sync for list1 is not enabled. Wipe contact list anyway”.  – Say Yes and it will delete this contact list.

6.       You can verify the no. of contacts transferred to outlook against no. of contacts mentioned in step3.

7.       Follow steps 3 to 5 for each address list on handset.

 

Above is helpful especially in transferring all contacts from blackberry to a phone with exch active sync or iphone with gmail.

Task : Transferring contacts from Blackberry to Nokia Lumia handset.

In this scenario Exchange Activesync or Windows Live is configured on Nokia handset.

1) First step is to transfer contacts to MS outlook seperate Contacts Folder. One can create a new contacts folders in .pst file. Use BB Desktop Manager to sync contacts with .pst-contacts folder.

2) Once synced blackberry contacts with outlook then either use Hotmail connector & configure username@live.com account and copy contacts from .pst-> contacts to server mailbox-contacts folder or if you already have corporate mail account configured then transfer/copy contacts to that server-contacts folder.

Once all contacts are there on server contacts they will automatically get synced to nokia lumia handset with activesync in place.

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One more problem faced is after transferring contacts, for some of the contacts it was allowing only calling and not SMS from contacts menu. This is due to mobile numbers saved in fields other than (Mobile Phone field) which are Business Phone, Business Phone 2... or others on which we don't have direct control. As while adding a new contact user may not notice this.

For this before 2nd step, export contacts from outlook to excel/csv file. Open that file in excel and move contacts under heading "Mobile Phone". Save & close. Then import them again in outlook - pst - contacts.
Then follow step2.

Blackberry Performance Issues

If your blackberry handset is working/responding slow and hourglass appears at times while performing some regular task.
Follow the below steps:

1. Clear blackberry event log
On Home screen, Hold Alt key and Press LGLG. It will display event logs. Press BB key and select "Clear Log".

2. Memory Cleaning
Enable memory cleaning as mentioned below.
Settings Options - ;  Security Options - ; Memory Cleaning.

Select Memory cleaning here if already not there. Save and Exit.
Remove & re-insert battery.

Using Runas command for administrative tasks in normal user login

In Windows XP, to perform administrative tasks from normal user login.

Start - run - cmd.

Then at command prompt give following commands :

runas /user:admin cmd

It will ask for local admin password. 

After that it will open another cmd prompt c:\windows\system32:\;

On that cmd prompt we can navigate to other directories and run any installation setup files or perform administrative tasks using commands given below.

Control panel tool                         Command ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Accessibility Options           control access.cpl    Add New Hardware             control sysdm.cpl add new hardware    Add/Remove Programs        control appwiz.cpl    Date/Time Properties           control timedate.cpl    Display Properties                control desk.cpl    FindFast                             control findfast.cpl    Fonts Folder                        control fonts    Internet Properties               control inetcpl.cpl    Joystick Properties            control joy.cpl    Keyboard Properties            control main.cpl keyboard    Microsoft Exchange             control mlcfg32.cpl    Microsoft Mail Post Office     control wgpocpl.cpl    Modem Properties               control modem.cpl    Mouse Properties               control main.cpl    Multimedia Properties          control mmsys.cpl    Network Properties             control netcpl.cpl    Password Properties            control password.cpl    PC Card                        control main.cpl pc card (PCMCIA)    Printers Folder                control printers    Regional Settings              control intl.cpl    Scanners and Cameras           control sticpl.cpl    Sound Properties               control mmsys.cpl sounds

How to open two different excel files on multiple monitors

When we have one external monitor attached to laptop & we want to see two different excel files, one on each.

Start excel and open file. Then drag that excel to extended desktop (external monitor). Then on laptop screen start a new instance of excel (start -> Programs -> Microsoft Excel ) and open another file in it.

"There was a problem sending the command to the program" error in Excel

Microsoft Excel 2007
1.Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Excel Options.
2.Click Advanced, and then clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box in the General area.
3.Click OK.


Microsoft Excel 2003 or earlier versions of Excel
1.On the Tools menu, click Options.
2.Click the General tab.
3.Clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box, and then click OK.