Knowledge Base for Windows

Description/Problem:
We spent with the installation of MS Windows Server 2008 (x86/x64) systems several days. For these servers we needed to perform flexible emergency solution (fast boot-up to recovery console) which will allow us to restore the server from local or remote backups, restore critical files, remove malware, recover the corrupted system registry or file system, etc. We have chosen the Windows Server 2008 Preinstallation Environment (PE) with integrated Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (MS DaRT). Except the standard DVD edition, we preferred to boot-up the recovery solution also from local system. From this reason we created small script which modified the Boot Loader.

You can use this script for systems which are pre-installed via SysPrep Tool. In this situation you need to store this script into the folder “C:\Windows\Setup\Scripts” and file “SetupComplete.cmd” which will be executed after the SysPrep Process.

Solution:

• Copy from DVD “\boot\boot.sdi” to the system disk “C:\boot”
• Create new folder called “recovery” on the system disk C: and set the hidden flag for folder (only)
• Copy from DVD “\sources\boot.wim” to the system disk “C:\recovery”
• Create new batch file, save script presented below into this file and execute it

bcdedit /create {ramdiskoptions} /d "Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Recovery Console"
bcdedit /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice partition=c:
bcdedit /set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath \boot\boot.sdi
for /f "tokens=1-3" %%a in ('Bcdedit /store c:\boot\bcd /create /d "Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Recovery Console" /application osloader') do set WINPE_GUID=%%c
bcdedit /set %WINPE_GUID% device ramdisk=[c:]\recovery\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
bcdedit /set %WINPE_GUID% path \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
bcdedit /set %WINPE_GUID% osdevice ramdisk=[c:]\recovery\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
bcdedit /set %WINPE_GUID% systemroot \windows
bcdedit /set %WINPE_GUID% winpe yes
bcdedit /set %WINPE_GUID% detecthal yes
bcdedit /timeout 10
bcdedit /displayorder %WINPE_GUID% /addlast

Description/Problem:
Find the solution without investigation and troubleshooting is sometimes not so easy. Our last issue was related to MS Windows Server 2003 (Service Pack 2, R2 Edition), including latest patches. Performance of this server rapidly decreased but all system services were up and running (very slowly). We identify some errors related to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) in the Event Logs. The script (published in this article) for re-register of WMI was not solving our issue. Therefore, we decided to reinstall the WMI.

Solution:

# Detect and repair corrupted WMI repository
rundll32 wbemupgd, RepairWMISetup
# Stop the WMI service
net stop winmgmt
# Comprehensive rebuild method (Windows Server 2003 installation DVD is needed)
rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection WBEM 132 %windir%\inf\wbemoc.inf
# Start the WMI service
net start winmgmt

Description/Problem:
Sometimes is not possible activate the MS Windows Server 2008 during installation process, for example when you need to prepare the installation image for many servers in your company. In this situation it’s better to install MS Windows Server 2008 in trial period and then continues with activation process later on. You have several options how to perform activation process: fully automated GUI, automatic phone-line or powerful command line script. The last option is the best one if you need activate (locally or remotely) more servers in your company via script.

Solution:

# Insert new valid product key to the system:
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
# Manually activate new product key:
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -ato
# Verify the status of activation process:
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -xpr
# Detail information about the license:
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -dlv
# Remote activation of Windows Server 2008:
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs computer-name user-name password parameter

Don’t forget that your computer must be able access the Internet otherwise the activation process will be not success.

Description/Problem:
We needed to solve the issue with installation of new device (hardware) to operating system MS Windows Server 2003 via small script from command line some weeks ago. The easiest way how to perform this kind of activity was the DevCon utility. It’s a command line utility that acts as an alternative to Device Manager and allow you to enable, disable, restart, update, remove and query individual devices or groups of devices. Nice and powerful tool.

Solution:
Download DevCon Utility / KB311272

Description/Problem:
The migration process from Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 to the Microsoft SBS 2008 is not so easy. Sometimes is better to know about this procedure some more information, including practical hints how to solve known issues. This information may save you a lot of time.

Solution:
TechNET.com

Description/Problem:
Everybody who is using Microsoft Windows operating system knows what it means patching. Microsoft preparing every month new set of security patches related to MS Windows, Office and Internet Explorer. The best way how to perform patching is using Windows Update utility. What we can do if the system is not connected to the internet? We can use the offline DVD ISO image with monthly patches. The size of this image is often above 1 GB and that’s the problem if you need distribute this data around several systems. The next option is related to the 3rd party utilities which are able prepare list of missing patches, distribute patches to target systems and perform easy and fast installation of released patches. If you need this kind of tools then you can try the Windows Offline Update. It’s not the best one, but it’s easy, flexible and ready also for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.

Solution:
WSUS Offline Update.Net

Description/Problem:
Several months ago we published short topic about recommended hotfixes for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system connected to the Storage Area Network (SAN). We would like to draw your attention the list of the most important hotfixes related to the Microsoft Windows Server 2003/2008 operating system with active Cluster Service.

Solution:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 1)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Description/Problem:
I suppose that every administrator is very familiar with scripted system configuration gathering tool called Microsoft Product Support Reports (MPSR). We are using this tool in our daily life for creating the reports which we can use for deep analysis of critical system issues or attached as part of software calls managed by Microsoft Premier Support.

Download:
Microsoft.com