Ahmad Masri

Internet Explorer freezing issue on Windows7 with McAfee Anti-Virus & Microsoft Essentials installed

 

 

This fix applies to the Freezing issue with Internet Explorer on Windows7 with McAfee Anti-Virus & Microsoft Essentials installed.

Click on Start Menu --> "Control Panel" --> "Programs and Features", then Uninstall Microsoft Essentials.

Right click on the McAfee icon on your task bar at the bottom right corner of your tool bar and choose Update security.

Click on Start Menu, then choose "Run", and type: msc /scannow then click on "Ok"

Once the scan is complete, restart your system and test Internet Explorer afterwards.

Outlook Search Issue

     If your Outlook no longer searches for emails properly, and you checked to make sure the Indexing option is enabled under (File -> Options -> Search), proceed with the following steps to fix it:

1. Uninstall “Windows Search  3.0 or 4.0” program.
2. Shutdown and Restart your system
3. Install “Windows Search 4.0” from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/choose/windowssearch4.mspx?tab=Install%20It
4. Once installed, launch Outlook and keep it open.
5. In order to view the Indexing Progress Status for Windows XP, right click on the Magnifying Glass icon on the bottom right corner of your task bar and choose “Windows Search Options”. For Windows7, its inside your Outlook: File -> Options -> Search -> “Indexing Options” button.
6. Under “Included Locations” section, you will see an Outlook icon with your username next to it; means your emails are getting indexed. If the Outlook icon not listed there, click on the “Modify” button, then check the boxes next to your Outlook Inbox & any other folder you would like to include.
7. Leave your system turned ON and idle until the Indexing is complete. If you continue to move your mouse on your screen, it will pause the indexing and slow down its progress.

Meanwhile in Outlook, you can only search items that are indexed; so best to wait until the Indexing of all your emails is complete.

What is Indexing?

Source Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/techfaq.mspx

Windows Search creates and maintains a system index of the contents of a computer. Just like a book index allows readers to quickly find references to specific words, a desktop index allows users to find specific words or phrases in e-mail messages, calendar appointments, documents, photos, and other files, along with the keywords and tags the files are marked with. The index also contains information such as the time a file was created and its file type. Following the completion of the initial index, the system index then keeps track of new or modified files and e-mail messages and updates the index when the PC is idle.

How long does it take for Windows Search to finish indexing?

Source Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/techfaq.mspx

The time required to create the index depends on how much data is on the computer and the speed of the computer's hard drive. If there are many files on the computer, indexing could take a few hours. Users can start searching as soon as they start using Windows Vista or have installed Windows Search, but may not be able to find or search some files until the initial index is complete.

Helpful RUN commands

 

The following are helpful run commands which are more often used in the IT field. Click on "Start" menu button then choose "Run". Use the following commands in the RUN command field to test their functionality. Some commands you might have to be in CMD prompt window in order to capture the logs (Type "CMD" in the RUN command prompt then type the other commands to test).

 

Command prompt

cmd

  

Network Diagnostics

hcp://system/netdiag/dglogs.htm

  

Group Policy setup

gpedit.msc

  

Microsoft configuration

msconfig

  

System Information and settings

msinfo32

  

Remote Desktop

mstsc

  

Windows update

wupdmgr

 

DNS info

pathping

 

Obtain media access control addresses of all network adapters

getmac

 

Status of website or local network

netstat

net

 

Hidden windows settings

tweakui

(Download: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx)

 

System files check for corruption

SFC /SCANNOW

 

Windows Malicious Software Removal tool

mrt

 

User password control

control userpasswords

control userpasswords2

 

Check you harddrisk for errors & repair

chkdsk -r

 

Flush Network cache

nbtstat -R

 

Flush DNS

ipconfig /flushdns

 

 

 

Force Group Policy

 

gpupdate /force

 

Local Security Policy

secpol.msc

 

Trace Route of a Domain or a Website

tracert

Microsoft Outlook: Recover deleted emails

This applies to emails you have deleted and cleared from the Deleted items folder

Very simple, inside Outlook, click on the "Deleted items" icon, the click on tool on your menu options above and choose: "Recover deleted items..."

A pop-up box will show up with your most recent deleted emails which got cleaned out from the recycle bin.

Click on the email you need to recover, or click on "Select all" icon(Which looks like two yellow dots inside a blue dotted square), then click on "Recover selected items" icon (Which looks like and yellow envelop).

Now you should see your emails recovered in the Deleted Items folder

Upgrading from SQL05 to SQL08 and troubleshooting the errors

 

 

Make sure all applications and windows are closed before starting to install (Recommend a fresh reboot). Make sure to restart every time you install each software below.

1-     If Visual Studio 08 is not installed:

-           Install Visual Studio 08 (32bit Team Suite).

-           Once complete, Install TFS08 Explorer if needed.

2-     Install Visual Studio 08 SP1 from:   

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=FBEE1648-7106-44A7-9649-6D9F6D58056E&displaylang=en

3-     Install Windows Installer v4.5 from:

http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/details.aspx?FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4&displaylang=en

Choose to download & install: WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe

4-    Install  .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 from:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab99342f-5d1a-413d-8319-81da479ab0d7&displaylang=en

5-    Install SQL08 Standard Edition:

a.     On the left side of the Menu, click on Install

b.     On the right side of the menu choose to upgrade from SQL05

6-     Run Windows Updates from: http://update.microsoft.com to install other updates for SQL08, VS08, and Service Packs.

-           Make sure to check the “Software optional” section for Service packs and books.          

-           Install SQL Server 08 books online, and Microsoft SQL Server 08 service pack 1.

For Troubleshooting errors, check out MSDN solutions: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlsetupandupgrade/thread/5fc58507-9f40-4213-acbd-32a57c8822d7

 

How to setup/map a network drive when connected to your company VPN from home

First, make sure you are connected to your company VPN before you start the setup (If you are working from home).

Double click on "My Computer" icon on your desktop, then click on "Tools" (On top menu where it says: file, edit, view, Favorites..) then choose "Map Network Drive".

In the "Drive" field, you can choose any drive letter you want as long it's available for you. In the "Folder" field, type it in the location where your files are saved on the network (ex: \\folder21\documents). You can also use the "Browse" button if you don't remember the exact location name.

Once done, click on "Finish" button.

From now on, you can access your network drives under "My Computer". The network drives, which you setup, will auomatically disconnect when the VPN is disconnected. When you re-connect the VPN, you will be able to access them again.

 

Common network drive Issue: The network drives no longer connect even when the VPN is running.

•     Solution 1: First, make sure you have internet connection, then restart your system.

•     Solution 2: Make sure your Active Directory account is in the VPN access group.

•     Solution 3: Make sure your login username password at your company did not expire.

•     Solution 4: Make sure your login username has not recently changed (Ex: You got married and last name had to be changed).

•     Solution 5: Uninstall VPN, restart PC, then install VPN and test afterwards.

Oulook signature spaces out when people reply back to your emails

 

Solution:

When setting up your signature, the "Enter" key on keyboard could mean different code for other format signatures in outlook (Specially HTML format). Instead of using the "Enter" key to jump to the next line in your signature, use “Shift & Enter” keys at same time. This works with all format signatures and resolves the spacing issue when people reply back to your email.

Installing Visual Basic 6.0 along with Microsoft Visual Studio 05 and Microsoft Visual Studio 08 on one machine

First you need to go to Control Panel --> Add/Remove Programs --> Add/Remove Windows components to install Internet Information Services (IIS) and Message Queuing (Might require WindowsXP CD to complete installation of components).

Install Visual Basic 6.o then reboot. Run it once afterwards.

Fully install Microsoft Visual Studio 05 with SQL05 express. If you have SQL05 full install, make sure to install it first, and disable in Visual Studio 05 installation the option to install SQL05 express and all its component. Make sure to reboot and run Microsoft Visual Studio 05 once afterward.

Install Microsoft Visual Studio 08, then reboot. Do not run Microsoft Visual Studio 08 yet after completing installation. Run Microsoft Visual Studio 05 then close, and afterward run Microsoft Visual Studio 08.

For TFS 05 and TFS 08 installation, order not important as long you have Visual Studio 05 & 08 installed.

Now you should have no problems running Microsoft Visual Studio 05 with TFS 05, Microsoft Visual 08 with TFS 08, and Visual Basic 6.0 on one machine.

Adobe Acrobat/Reader Issues & solutions

     First of all before you start troubleshooting this issue, make sure to close all your programs (Ex: If you are using Microsoft Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, Firefox, ...etc). Also make sure to have installation CD handy.

 

Issue#1: Blank page comes up when previewing PDF files in Internet Explorer

• If you have only one version of Adobe Acrobat Reader/Pro/Standard installed: Check to see if you only have one Adobe version installed by going to Microsoft Windows "Control Panel" and to "Add/Remove Programs". Open Adobe Acrobat, If you get a message asking to enable Adobe Acrobat to open in your default browser... Accept message, close Adobe Acrobat then test to see if you can open PDF in Internet Explorer. If issue still exist... Open Adobe Acrobat again, and click on "Help" menu, and choose "Repair Adobe Installation". Once done, reboot PC, then test to see if you are now able to view PDF report in Internet Explorer.
• If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader/Pro/Standard version 6.0 or less installed: It does not support newer PDF/RDF file formats. Do more testing by previewing PDF files on-line to make sure it's the new file format issue. Remove old Adobe Acrobat version by going to Microsoft Windows "Control Panel" and to "Add/Remove Programs", reboot PC, then go to Adobe website and install new version: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
• If you have multiple Adobe Acrobat Reader/Pro/Standard versions installed: Go to Microsoft Windows "Control Panel" and to "Add/Remove Programs", and check to see If multiple Adobe Acrobat versions are installed (Ex: Adobe Acrobat 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, or 8.0). Also check for other PDF reader programs from vendors other than Adobe. It is recommended to only have one Adobe Acrobat version installed and updates. If there are Multiple versions installed, remove all versions and their updates, reboot PC,  then install only one version and run it's updated by clicking on the "Help" menu, and by choosing: "Check for updates", then reboot PC again.

Issue#2: PDF file unable to open in same Internet Explorer page. Opens as a new Internet Explorer window or new tab

      Open Adobe Acrobat/Reader, and click on "Help" menu, and choose "Repair Adobe Installation". Once done, reboot PC, then test to see if you are able now to view PDF report in Internet Explorer. If issue still exist. Need to follow above troubleshooting information in Issue#1.

Issue#3: Error Acrord32.EXE or Adobe crashes down when printing PDF file

      This issue occurs for the following reasons:

• You do not have the correct printer driver installed for you printer.
• You do not have the most recent updated driver for your printer (Old driver version installed) .
• You have not installed the recommended driver fix updates for your printer.

Issue#4: Error loading API component while opening Adobe Acrobat/Reader or during installation

       Two Reasons:

• Occurs when there's another vendor PDF Reader/Editor installed on PC (Non Adobe product).
• One of the Adobe updates are corrupted (Most likely Update 6.02). I recommend to remove all updates, then reinstall them again to solve issue.