There are a number of scenarios where VSS instances might be failing or timing out. In this case, re-registering the DLLs might help. Here are the steps to take before and after registering those DLLs. Reboot the machine. We want a fresh look at what is and isn't failing or timing out. If you cannot reboot the machine restart VSS. This is essentially the same thing as restarting, but only focuses on the VSS. net stop vss net start vss List the VSS writers using the … [Read more...] about Re-Registering VSS DLLs
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View the GUID of a Volume on a PC
The fastest way to get the GUID of a volume is to use this command: [crayon-5d822211133ac152131054/] You'll see all the GUID's right there. Close the window when done. Below is a screenshot of what I get: … [Read more...] about View the GUID of a Volume on a PC
Use PowerShell to list your folders on a server or share
Here's a quick script to list all of the folders on a share or on a server. This script will use PowerShell to export a list of folders to a CSV file. We'll be using the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to accomplish this. [crayon-5d82221113dc5398006485/] Let's break this down: Get-ChildItem is the cmdlet. It is just like "dir" or "ls" where it's main job is to tell you the contents of a folder. You can learn more about Get-ChildItem … [Read more...] about Use PowerShell to list your folders on a server or share
HP Servers: Check for number of Drive Bays
I came across this little issue while trying to find out how many empty drive bays there were on a remote server. The HP CLI (Command Line Interface) came to the rescue. Here's the commands and the output I used. Note, on later versions of the HP Utility, you can also see the drive bays, but this CLI will get right down to business. Figure out your array slot by entering the following command: [crayon-5d82221114213048302900/] The command response is … [Read more...] about HP Servers: Check for number of Drive Bays
Beginner’s Commands for PowerShell
There are a few commands in PowerShell that will help you right off the bat. Checking the status of a setting or property Most of the time when I'm using PowerShell it's because I need to first look something up, then make a change. We don't normally just start making changes all willy-nilly, so knowing how to see the properties and changes is the first step in determining how you plan to make a change. Format-List Let's say, for instance, you want to know the ID of a service. Your first … [Read more...] about Beginner’s Commands for PowerShell
WSUS not detecting clients and not listing computers
System Setup: Windows Server 2012 with WSUS 3.0 and IIS 8 Installed Clients: Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2008 R2 You've done everything right but for some reason you just can't see the clients. Here's a quick check list: If you go to your SUS server, for example http://wsus you can see a blank page and not simply the IIS splash page You can ping between both the SUS server and your client Firewalls are turned off on both the SUS server and your client The group policy … [Read more...] about WSUS not detecting clients and not listing computers
Restarting services on a server remotely
I've run into a few instances where I need to restart haywire services, recently with F-Secure services on Windows 2003 R2 Servers. The high CPU loads make it impossible to log into the server. SC.exe will help with this. Here are a few commands to get your started. Open a command prompt on a server within the same domain as your troubled server and run this command: [crayon-5d82221116379604083340/] Before running the "start" command you'll want to check to see if the service actually stopped. … [Read more...] about Restarting services on a server remotely
Create 100mb file for testing
Scenario: You would like to test speeds from one place on your network to another; nothing fancy, you just want to watch something move from one place to another. Here's how to create a file to do just that: Open an elevated command prompt: Start > Run > type 'cmd' and hit enter, or Windows Key > type 'cmd' and hit enter, or if you find the command prompt shortcut you can right click and choose to "Run as Administrator" Type the following: FSUTIL FILE CREATENEW … [Read more...] about Create 100mb file for testing
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