Flash upgrade errors

Sometimes the simplest of programs can cause the biggest problems. On a few machines we keep seeing that Flash fails to install. If we login to the machine and install the update via the Web then it will install and report correctly in the browser. I have found that it creates another problem. The MSI that is used to distribute Flash is smart enough to know that there is a problem. On several machines the MSI install log looks like this


--------------------
MSI (s) (5C:64) [10:12:06:420]: Product: Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX -- Configuration failed.

Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove the existing version of this product, use Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel.
{95468B00-C081-4B27-AC96-0A2A31359E60}
--------------------
If you look at Add/Remove programs of the client or if you look at the Resource Explorer of the console you will see a problem:


Here is you see there are multiple versions of Flash installed. To correct this problem we need to remove all copies of Flash from the registry and then allow ConfigMgr to install Flash.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{24762012-C6C8-4AAD-A02D-71A009FA1683}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{6815FCDD-401D-481E-BA88-31B4754C2B46}


Once all the other versions are removed from the registry the advertisment will try again and it will install. The problem on the client side is that it says it cannot remote the previous version of flash. Something happens at the install that it leaves the older version then at one point the newest version wants to uninstall the old version and it fails. Instead of installing the newest version it fails and then the admin needs to fix the problem. I have had limited success with the Flash uninstaller and trying to remove Flash from Add remove programs doesn’t seem to work.

Many times on reports it only shows one version of flash but looking at Add/remove on the client and in the console we can see multiple because the GUIDS for each application are different.

Now that all the problematic versions are remove it should install flash and show up in the reports correctly

Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010!

It's here FEP 2010 is now RTM!

Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) starting Jan. 1, 2010. It is already on Technet and trial versions are out for you to try. This has been a year in the making and looks to be a good addition to Configuration Manager 2007. Now you have secure the desktop right from ConfigMgr (SCCM).

Read the full Annoucment here:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/forefront/archive/2010/12/16/announcing-forefront-endpoint-protection-2010.aspx

SQL 2008 SP2 Support

I am sure many people have all been using it but it is now official that SQL 2008 SP2 is now supported on ConfigMgr 2007. According to Harini Muralidharan, Microsoft statement:

"System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1, SP2 and R2 now support Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP2 as a Configuration Manager 2007 site database. The site system role of Reporting Services Point and the client status reporting feature of System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2 are supported."

No updates are required to use it.

That being said many times people assume that they can just jump to the latest version of SQL or server platform. This is not always the case. The different product groups must test the new platforms to make sure they work correctly and stable with SCCM. Manytimes there might be a patch that needs to be install or a hotfix. As a general rule you can expect a notification from Microsoft no less than 90 Days after something like this happens. So while you can install it in your test enviroment you really should way the 90+ days for the product group to OK it. This will cause less Support calls to Microsoft and problems in your hiearchy.

MMS 2011 Prediction

Well based on the schedule for MMS 2011, I would expect to see the session list in the next 2 weeks. I am always excited to see who is presenting and the topics. There is always something new to learn. This time around there should be even more information on ConfigMgr 2011.

Configuration Manager 2012 Beta 2 TAP Nominations Now Open

Beta 2 for ConfigMgr 2012 (V.next) is now officially open.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2010/11/09/configuration-manager-2012-beta-2-tap-nominations-now-open.aspx

This is pretty important because it names the application and gives the community an idea of when the platform will be available.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2010/11/09/announcing-configuration-manager-v-next-official-name.aspx

I was getting tired of some of the problems with the Java core.zip install failure so I came up with this script. It isn't pretty but it does work to install or fix a machine that currently messed up. Test it, use at your own risk

------------------------

'On Error Resume Next
Dim WshShell, strKeyPath
dim filesys, demofolder
set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
set filesys = CreateObject ("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Installed=0 ' I haven't installed Java correctly yet
'determine if this is a 64bit machine
Set Wmi = GetObject("winmgmts:\\.\root\CIMV2")
Set Col = Wmi.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM Win32_Processor")
For Each Obj in Col
MachineType= Obj.AddressWidth
next


'''Install Java Loop
Do Until Installed=1

'Install Java
WshShell.run("msiexec /i jre1.6.0_22.msi /qb IEXPLORER=1 MOZILLA=1 REBOOT=Suppress JAVAUPDATE=0"), 0, True

'check to see if it installed correctly


if filesys.FileExists("c:\Program Files\Java\jre6\Core.zip") then
FixJava(MachineType)
elseif filesys.FileExists("c:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\core.zip") then
FixJava(MachineType)
else
Installed=1
end if
Loop

Sub FixJava(MachineType)


if MachineType=32 then

'''''''''x86 runtime

''delete the registry entries FOR X86

strKeyPath = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F83216022FF}\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Web Start\1.6.0_22\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\SourceList\Net\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\sourceList\Media\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\SourceList\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

set demofolder = filesys.GetFolder("Program Files\Java\")
demofolder.Delete


end if

if MachineType=64 then
'''''''''''''''x64 runtime
strKeyPath = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{26A24AE4-039D-4CA4-87B4-2F83216022FF}\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Web Start\1.6.0_22\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\SourceList\Net\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\sourceList\Media\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\SourceList\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

strKeyPath = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\4EA42A62D9304AC4784BF238120622FF\"
WshShell.RegDelete strKeyPath

set demofolder = filesys.GetFolder("c:\program files (x86)\java")
demofolder.Delete
End if


End Sub

--------------------

32bit Java install for vista / Win 7

There are 2 flavors of Java a 64bit version and 32bit version. Depending on your machines you may need to install both. We run the 64bit version of Win7 for our enviroment. There seems to be a problem with the installer when installing 32bit version, I don't know the exact cause but the end result is such.

When you deploy the .EXE to the Vista/Win 7 machines the Java install folder is left with a Core.zip file and the error you will recieve will either be "unable to extract Core.zip file" or The Status message may return with a sucessfull install even though it didn't complete. If you go to the Java website it will test your machine and tell you that Java is installed correctly. This is because the registry entries are there but the install didn't complete. If you try to vist a site that requires Java the Browser generally will crash.

How to Fix and Deploy Java

Normal Deployent:

jre-6u22-windows-i586.exe ADDLOCAL=ALL IEXPLORER=1 NETSCAPE=1 MOZILLA=1 JAVAUPDATE=0 /quiet

Modified Deployment:

Start by performing a standard install on a machine. Then depending on which OS you ran it on you can copy the install folder off the machine. The install files are generic so they will work on any OS. You don't need to repeat the install on a different OS.

Vista /Win7

C:\Users\UserNAME\AppData\LocalLow\Sun\Java

XP
C:\Documents and Settings\UserNAME\Application Data\Sun\Java\[java version]

Here you will find the installer folder with the MSI and files necessary to install. You will need the full contents of the folder, not just the MSI. Copy this folder out and use it to install. Then the command line will be MSI based. You can use this for XP also but I found that with XP the .exe installer works fine.

This MSI install should work fine for your Vista or Win7 machines.

Note: I haven't had any problems with the Java 64bit version installer so you can use the .EXE to deploy that version.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3 Released

ConfigMgr R3 is now RTM. Go down to your corner Sofware Assurance store and pick it up. Really it might take a week to filter to the different SA websites for your Company, State, or Federal website. Hopefully you have already been reading up. If not here is the information:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2010/10/14/system-center-configuration-manager-2007-r3-unleashed.aspx

Registration for MMS 2011 is now open

Get over to http://www.mms-2011.com "You Empowered." and register for MMS 2011. Rooms can go fast so hurry up!

Configuration Manager R3

Get the jump on everyone and order the latest book about SCCM 2007 R3: System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3 Complete


The paper back is listed as:37.79 but this is a pre-order so it currently isn't released yet.

ISBN-10: 1435456505 | ISBN-13: 9781435456501
880 Pages Paperbound
Available in January 2011 according to the publisher
Available in November 2010 according to Barns and Noble

MMS 2011 Call for Sessions

Call for Session topics is now public. If you ever wanted to present at MMS here is your chance! There is no telling what might be selected or not so make your topic interesting that could fill a room. Maybe it is an introduction to a topic or a deep dive. Everything is needed. "Real World" experiences are the greatest draws because the audience can relate to you.

If you are selected then you will recieve the following accomodations:

Free speaker registration for the event
4 nights’ hotel accommodation during the event
Access to the on-site speaker lounge at the event
An opportunity to take Speaker Training on-site with top professional speaker coach Richard Klees


Content Goals
We are seeking session topics from Industry speakers which cover:

Real-world experience in the Windows management space
Best practices developed through actual deployments
Tips and tricks developed from real life experience

Session Format & Content
All Session slots will be 75 minutes, and should be pitched at a 300-400 (technical to deep technical) level for this audience. Live demonstrations are strongly encouraged.

The “Call for Sessions” entry page is located here https://www.mms-2011.com/CFT
The closing date for topic proposals from all speakers is midnight PST on November 24th 2010.

If you have a colleague or Industry contact who is interested in speaking at the event, please ask them to send email to mmsqs@microsoft.com. They will be sent a New Industry Speaker Access Code.

You can register for the event and if you are selected to be a speaker there is a process by which you can go through to receive a refund of your registration fee.

App-v Quicktime 7.68.75.0

Every few months Apple releases a new Quicktime due to patches or feature changes. Back in 7.5 or 7.6.0 Apple required the "Apple Application Support" program to be installed. This wasn't a major problem but it did make create a App-v version a bit longer to create.

Well with this latest version came new pains. Virtualizing with Client 4.6 was a breeze. Testing the program and plugin worked fine. You still need to remember to use the "Add Application" and put in a shortcut for IE so you can have the Quicktime plugin active in that version of IE.

With this version the IE plugin didn't seem to worked on XP but did work on Win7. Virtualizing it different ways didn't remove the problem, "It would work fine on the Sequencer but not on the deployment test machine".

Each time you tried to view a Quicktime movie in IE the following problem would appear.
Quicktime failed to initialize. Error # 0.
Please make sure Quicktime is properly installed on this computer



After discussing it in the forums for a bit someone else figured out the problem.
It appears how XP and Quicktime handle the need for a file folder. Granted "Apple Application Support" was installed and the folder was in the package but the application was looking for "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support" and it wasn't going to look at the virtual one.

To solve this problem with XP you can do one of two things. Either create the physical folder for the use or allow App-V do it for you. The folder doesn't do anything but serve as a place holder and the rest of the application will use the virtual version.

If the users don't have adminstraive privs on XP then you will pass down a command to create the folder.

If the users do have administrative privs on XP then allow App-v to do it for you.
Open the OSD file for Internet Explorer and add this text:

<dependency>
<clientversion version="4.6.0.0">
<script event="LAUNCH" protect="FALSE" timing="PRE" wait="TRUE">
<scriptbody>MD "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support"</scriptbody>
</script>
</dependency>

You could also use the cmd.exe to start the command if you like.

MMS 2011 Content Survey

The Content survey for MMS 2011 is live. http://www.mms-2011.com/default.aspx
This is your chance to choose what kind of topics will appear at MMS and how it will be focused.

This year you could win a prize for filling out the survey

"When the survey closes on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010, we will draw two entries from amongst the responses and will send a Portable Media Player to those respondents. If you would like to be entered for this draw, simply enter your email address in the text box below. Supplied email addresses will only be used for the purposes of winner notification and will not be stored or used in any other way."

VNext Beta 1 VHD now available

I don't have much time due to pressing issues but you can now look/play/test Configuration Manager Vnext in VHD form

http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2010/08/18/configuration-manager-v-next-beta-1-now-on-vhd-test-drive-program.aspx

myITforum.com Poll: System Center Certification

We need your help filling out this poll.

http://www.myitforum.com/absolutenm/templates/site.aspx?articleid=19149&zoneid=120

We are trying to get informaiton on what System Center Certifications admins have

Blog about Configuration Manager VNext and win!

Microsoft is offering prizes for blogging about ConfigMgr Vnext.

"Each month, you will have a chance to win an exclusive System Center branded high-def Flip-Mino 2nd Generation camcorder, which will enable you to easily create and post videos to any website. In addition, each monthly winner will be entered into a drawing at the end of the competition for a pass to the Microsoft Management Summit for 2011."


http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/configuration-manager/cm-contest.aspx

Configmgr VHD R2 refresh

The VHD for ConfigMgr R2 has been refreshed (7/22/10)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0fadab7-0620-481d-a8b6-070001727c56&displaylang=en

It will expire November 26, 2011.

Windows Intune

For those that are familiar with the Cloud Computing innovative, Microsoft is placing the ability to manage a computer into the cloud. Much like Configuration Manager but in the cloud. Now Microsoft can handle your hardware and you can work on the managment side. This is nice for the company that has 50 people and they are in 3 different cities. No longer do you need to setup a System Center Essentials server or use another program that requires servers and licenses you might need. With Intune you can manage the machines from anywhere. This is great for the small companies or consultants that need to manage several small companies

http://www.microsoft.com/online/windows-intune.mspx

The open Beta #2 was released last week. When the first beta was annouced it filled up in less than a day if I recall correctly. Here is your chance to test drive this nice application. You will need to manage at least 5 machine but you cannot manage more than 25 via this beta.

MMS 2011 call for sessions

Based on the previous years I would hope to see the call for sessions soon. Because the event will be one month earlier I would expect the call for sessions to be as well. Generally they are open around thanks giving and closed mid December. Then early January you would hear about the results. With MMS in March I would expect that we will hear between the middle of October to the first week in November. I will update this post and my blog as soon as the call goes out. If you have presented before you should receive a private invitation and code that will allow you to re-register. This code is for you and not the general public. Much like the alum registration code, it is strictly for that person and selected group.

I would expect to see many seasons on V.Next and I hope to many familiar faces presenting again. I liked the presentations presented by the Microsoft Product team. It puts a real face with a "group" or "product." Microsoft personnel, while, very busy, are people and approachable. I think the Configuration Manager product group feels like open family. I can't say much about the other product groups because I don't attend other kinds of conferences nor do I interface with them.

Keep up the good work!

ConfigMgr site from Eval to Production

This question comes up in the forums frequently. Most people ask. I have setup a ConfigMgr server and I like it, how can I move this to production. If you have search the forums and docs then you see many people have done it. Here is the supporting Microsoft Docs
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb693584.aspx

By simply doing an in place upgrade on the site it will pull in your Key and other info and change the site to a production version. It isn't a quick install. Depending on how complex you have setup on the server it might take an hour or more.

I recently ran into this when another IT Admin called me and ask me to look at his site. The server patched at 3AM and when he checked it the next morning there were some errors and the Site wouldn't attach to the database. Well I have seen several errors like this so I headed on over. I looked at the log and found the one error you don't really expect to see in the Event log. "You 180 Evaluation of Configuration Manager has come to an end" It just so happened to have done this just after the patches were installed. So 5 mins to find the problem. About 1 hour or more waiting for the upgrade to occur. The person who had setup the site had left and the current admin didn't know that the site was an Eval. We put in the licensed CD for ConfigMgr and told it to upgrade the site. After a while of watching progress bars the site wanted a restart and then we check and it was all happy. The admin was grateful for my assistance and I admit that this was the first time I personally had ever performed an Eval to production move. I think if I wasn't there he might have formatted and started over. He is just now getting into ConfigMgr and is not an expert, nor is that is only job area. If you don't spend you life in ConfigMgr like I do then you are greatfull to the ones that do.

When the problem looks like the world is coming to an end, ask another IT person, forum, phone, directly. No one can learn unless you ask, and failing is the only way to truly learn. I know I have failed and stumbled many times. It is a part of life and no one should be too proud to say, "I don't know how to do that.". Especially in IT. I had no idea how to do a Pivot table until someone asked me to show them how. I told them I didn't know but I would look it up and figure it out and we can both work on it.

Have a good evening.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is now supported on Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 and SP2 and Configuration Manager 2007 R2

In case you missed the June annoucements from Microsoft regarding Configuration Manager 2007, SQL 2008 R2 is now supported for your enviroment.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/configmgrteam/archive/2010/06/30/configuration-manager-support-announcements-for-june-2010.aspx

User migration for Windows 7

Recently I tested the Viewfinity user migration tool. There are many ways to do user migration. USMT integrated with ConfigMgr is just one of them and can be performed at the time of imaging. What if you need to do it in a different time span. Back up the files on Thursday and then Deploy the new machine on Monday but no one knows exactly who is getting which computer. The Viewfinity migration tool uses USMT a bit differently, it allows you to set a time frame for the capture and then places that migration in the hands of the users, not the admins. The admins do control what content can be captured and where it it is stored.

I was very impressed with the product. It definitely made profile migration a breeze! It was a big time saver. The Viewfinity User Migration application is great tool with potential to create a seamless and effortless migration of user files and settings between Windows XP and Windows 7. The advantage over other products is the lack of application installation required on the host or target machines as well as the ability to put the time frame for migration of data into the hands of the users.

If you get the chance go over to the website and look at the demo and download a trial version.
http://www.viewfinity.com/Products/UserMigration/Default.aspx

You may see my full review here:
http://www.viewfinity.com/Resources/MVPReviews/MVPMigrationReviewerSummary.pdf

My review was performed as and independent admin/MVP and not as my employeer/company.

Adobe Updates on x64

I will go back and modify my script on this blog and my http://www.sccm-tools.com/ website later today but I wanted to post because people have asked me about my script and x64 machines.
I have several posts http://sms-hints-tricks.blogspot.com/2009/05/deploy-adobe-acrobat-updates.html on how to deploy the adobe updates in a single VBscript file that makes life easy. Again this for those that don't have an Administrative install point or some other method for patching Adobe.

So you need to check the registry to determine what version of Adobe Reader/Pro is install so you know which patch to install. The problem is the 64bit machines will store this in the Wow64 section since it isn't a 64bit app. Here is the trick for your machine.

By looking in WMI we can determine if the machine is a 32bit machine or 64bit machine. This data is in several places in WMI. Here is just one example.

Adobe 9 Professional
---------------------------------------
Dim objShell, RegLocate
Set objShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
On error resume next


'determine if this is a 64bit machine

Set Wmi = GetObject("winmgmts:\\.\root\CIMV2")
Set Col = Wmi.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM Win32_Processor")
For Each Obj in Col
MachineType= Obj.AddressWidth
next

if MachineType=32 then
Dim sngVersion
'''' Adobe 9.0.0
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.0.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcroPro-std9.1.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if


'''' Adobe 9.1.0
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p Adobe_9.1.2_pro.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if


'''' Adobe 9.1.1
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.1" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p Adobe_9.1.2_pro.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.1.3
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.2" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd913_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.3" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd920_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.2.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd930_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.3.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.3.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd932_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.3.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.3.1" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd932_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.3.3
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.3.2" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd933_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if


else ' MachineType=64


'''' Adobe 9.0.0
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.0.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcroPro-std9.1.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if


'''' Adobe 9.1.0
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p Adobe_9.1.2_pro.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if


'''' Adobe 9.1.1
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.1" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p Adobe_9.1.2_pro.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.1.3
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.2" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd913_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.1.3" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd920_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.2.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd930_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.3.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.3.0" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd932_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.3.2
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.3.1" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd932_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if

'''' Adobe 9.3.3
sngVersion = objShell.RegRead ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000004}\DisplayVersion")
if sngVersion="9.3.2" then
objShell.run "msiexec /p AcrobatUpd933_all_incr.msp /qb /norestart", 0, True
end if
end if
WScript.Quit
------------------------------------------

The nice trick about this is you don't need to create a seperate program or package for the 64bit machines. You simply modify the vbscript/batch/cmd file you use to deploy your application. I admit there are good reasons for seperating this. We have some advertisments that have a program for 64bit and some for 32 but in this instance it is easy to send it all machines and allow the program to determine the best course.

MMS 2011

It occured to me that we should be hearing about MMS 2011 and such.

Well if you attended last year you hear that is going to Mandalay bay. Well every week since June 1st, I started doing DNS lookups to see if Microsoft has the site up. They do!!!


Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
March 21 - 25 2011

http://www.mms-2011.com/

Start making plans and if you want to present stay tuned for the public call for sessions.

TechNet MSDN forum email notifications

If you are upset that you never had a response to a forum post for the last few weeks then you should have received it by now. The problem affected the platform used for MSDN and TechNet it shouldn't have affected Answers.

I knew it was fix sometime late today when my inbox was slowly filling up. It is almost like a mail que back log. About every 20 seconds I receive an email. If you are a heavy posted then I hope you don't have a small inbox. I am slowly looking at each email to see if I need to check the responses for each thread. Many I have been able to stay on top of by viewing my threads via my profile.

Well happy reading everyone. I am sure there are contributers that are a sleep right now and will awake with either a dead mobile device or an inbox that read (300 new messages)!

Topics every Configuration Manager admin should know

If you are looking at this blog you might an advanced SMS/ConfigMgr admin or you might just be hunting for information as you get more accustom to this product.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/configurationmgr/archive/2010/06/16/documentation-topics-every-configuration-manager-admin-should-know.aspx

You should always read your docs and know what you should do first "look before you leap"

Here are some other good docs to read when getting started.

Prerequisites for Installing Configuration Manager
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb694113.aspx

About Configuration Manager Client Installation Properties
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680980.aspx

Planning for PXE Initiated Operating System Deployments
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680753.aspx

Operating System Deployment in Configuration Manager
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb632767.aspx

Step-By-Step Example Deployment of the PKI Certificates Required for Configuration Manager Native Mode: Windows Server 2008 Certification Authority
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc872789.aspx

New blog site for System Center Vnext

You can never get enough information right.

Check out the blogs and information.

http://systemcentervnext.com/

MMS 2010 DVDs

Well I received my MMS 2010 DVD in the mail today. Ironically tonight I recieved the email that notified me that they were shipped. Microsoft gets faster and faster. Maybe I live near the distribution center. Hope every receives their DVDs and enjoys them!

Technet Forum Changes

You might have noticed some changes occuring on the Technet forums. If you are still using SMS 2003 you will now see this forum

Systems Management Server 2003
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sms/threads

Under the Configuration Manager forum.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Toolkit V2

Microsoft has release an update to the popular Configuration Manager Tool Kit. Added to the popular took kit are the following tools:

Delete Group Class, MP Troubleshooter, Preload Package and Send Schedule Tools

These were in the SMS 2003 toolkit but not in the 2007 version. Since the community requested them, Microsoft has delivered. Even while they give tools for ConfigMgr 2007 they are working on V.Next. This release has a nice MSI to make it easy to install and deploy if necessary.

Remember that SMS 2003 Mainstream support has now ended. Users should look at moving to 2007 and then to V.Next. If you're on 2003 the jump to V.NExt might be a bit much. Especially if you will wait for SP1. If you do then you might want to get over to ConfigMgr 2007 Sp2 R2. R3 will be release by the end of the year.

The download can be found here
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5a47b972-95d2-46b1-ab14-5d0cbce54eb8&displaylang=en

MMS 2010 Success

Well all the glitz and glamor of MMS 2010 is over. The MMS will be March 21st - 25th at Mandalay bay. At this last installment we learned about InTune, the cloud computing aspect of Configuration Manager. It will offer a slimmed down version of the popular patching and software distributed model. It will allow admins to pay MS to host the hardware and infrastructure. This is going to make it easy for firms that might be too spread out to leverage infrastructure or better yet, firms that small like 1o to 50 machines in which System Center Essentials is still a bit of an over kill. We saw the next Road Map for the System Center products (ConfigMgr V.Next will come out in H2 2011). Users in the lab were able to play and learn on the beta version of the application. With the quality expressed in the beta I know we have good product for the masses in the next year.

Last year we saw that V.Next will be all 64 bit. This year we learned about the hierarchy changes (the CAS) and other changes Role Based Access Control(RBAC) There are too many new things to discuss it here. I am grateful for MMS. The MVPs have been privy to some of the information for almost 2 years. I have never been on the side of Software Engineering at the Enterprise level as with Configuration Manager. We see the dedication of the product team and what decisions they must make. We saw many changes taken and some delayed. There are 1,000s of requirements and design changes and not everything can make it into the product at the intial release. That is why we must wait for Service Packs and Revisions. Speaking of which they debuted more information about Configuration Manager's R3 and the power management that it will introduce. We should hope to see some cost savings here.

Well my presenation went ok. I didn't have the change to practice as much as I usually do. The car wreck took time and work away from it. There were points I wanted to cover like Collection structure of small to large companies as well as some complex Collections. While many people enjoyed it there were the few that wished I would have slowed down a bit and the demo wasn't as polished as it should have been. To those I say, sorry. Jumping a hill at 70MPH and crashing into ground while unconscience doesn't put a dent into the prep of things. While that was bad some people where able to present or presented late due to the ash cloud so there were some surprises with MMS. Even the weather became so cold that the closing party was moved indoors. I think I will remember this MMS as the one that was a half bubble off plumb but stood the test of time.

MMS 2010 Full

It should come as no surprise that MMS is sold out. See the Microsoft note here about ways to still register.
http://www.mms-2010.com/public/registrationoverview.aspx

It will be a packed croud. I think my first time has close to 4,000 participants. Even with the large venue like the Venitian it can be cramped between sessions. I have been practicing my session. Let's hope it lives up to everything. With 3 kids, a bad car wreck, medication and just everything else happening I hope it comes out well.

MMS 2010

MMS 2010 is just around the corner. We expect to see the latest version of ConfigMgr, chat with community experts, attend too many sessions and maybe a few parties. In less than a week it will be in full swing. I am already on edge. My presentation is one of the first for the week. I will land and have about 5 hours to get settled, practice one time, do my tech check and present. I have several other community based chats that I will be involved it.

As a reminder it is always good to step outside your comfort zone so you can meet people and network. While I know many people now through the MVP program, myITforum, the Microsoft forums and simply attending these events I like to find a table that has maybe 1 to 3 people and strike up a conversation. Last year at lunch I sat at a table with 3 french men. Only 1 spoke excellent English so he translated most of the time. I always say "Howdy", I am from the south and graduate of Texas A&M University so it fits right in. Of course I also always wear cowboy boots (even got married in them). Well when you sit down and say Howdy you get some looks. They had a good time asking me about Texas and I had a good time asking them how they were doing. If your going to MMS 2010 hope to see you there.

MMS 2010:Expert Encounters

If you are familiar with MMS then you know that at the end of each day you can meet with the all the presenters in a round table, which is kinda cool to shoot out questions. A new idea is being added to MMS this year, Experts Encounters. It is a chance to have a mini chat with people from the Community as well as Microsoft Execs about given topics. Hopefully this is a chance to place a name with a face and such. My tenative time slot is set for Tuesday at 12:30 to 1pm. Come hear a little about collections queries and ask questions.

Check out the System Center Blog for more details:

http://blogs.technet.com/systemcenter/archive/2010/04/09/encounter-experts-in-the-mms-2010-community-lounge.aspx

Side note:My full length presentation will be on Monday at 3pm to 4:15pm

Always check your Bios Settings

The following errors were found in our TS logfile of a brand new out of the box machine.

In SSL, but with no client cert

unknown host (gethostbyname failed)

sending with winhttp failed; 80072ee7

Failed to get client identity (80004005)

As standard practice we boot the machine, modify the time, WOL settings and power settings of the laptop and get to imaging.

For this particular problem it wasn't the network drivers that needed to be updated in WinPE or anything with the network. The tech kept looking at the client and the image. The twin that came with the machine imaged at the same time with not problems and we have imaged this laptop model several times before. The orginal error was the a Policy couldn't be found for the Task Sequence. I checked the machine and asked the standard questions. Well I could jump to a command prompt and see the ip address and ping back and forth from the server. Hmmm what could be the issue. Well I was scrolling throught the log above and couldn't make out the problems. Upon checking the ipconfig /all data I saw that the lease expires on Dec 26, 2009.

Well that struck me as odd!!! Looked at the log...wrong date there. It just happened that the OSD Certificate (Native mode) was create on Dec 1, 2010. So since the date was before this certificate existed it couldn't be found. Rebooted, changed the date in the bios and we imaged the machine. The Tech's response, "That is why you're the MVP." Not I just looked at the one thing you assume is always correct.

Ask the MVPS and MS Product group

Do you want to get a head start on ConfigMgr V.Next? Well if you attend MMS 2010 you might get to do just that! In the Session you will be able to interact with some of the MVPs as well as parts of the ConfigMgr team. This is the same team that we, the MVPs interact with. Get the info from the source! I recommend that you take a look at this if you want the jump on the next version.


Session Info:
Configuration Manager v.Next - Ask the Panel of Experts Thursday, April 22 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Veronese 2404-2506
OK - so, you've attended all the breakouts on ConfigMgr v.Next and completed all the hands-labs. Now you know the "what" of ConfigMgr v.Next. How about getting a chance to learn the "how" and "why" of ConfigMgr? We've assembled a panel of engineering leadership from the ConfigMgr team, along with a few key MVP's, to really answer your questions about the "how's" and "why's" of ConfigMgr. To help tee it up we are using some social avenues to hear from you. Either email a question to the session moderator (jeffwe@microsoft.com) or simply tweet a question using the hashtag #MMSEA01. Even if you don't have a question - come join us to hear these so-called "experts" answer the tough questions and provide insights into the product and strategies for ConfigMgr.

MMS 2010

I received my date and time for my session 4/19 at 3:00 - 4:15. I arrive at 8:33 so I need to book it to the hotel, change, practice, check my Virtual enviroment and present. I might have the chance to practice it 1 time. since everyone is arriving we will see how many people will be attending. Dates and times may change as people register. I have had my session moved due to the number of people registering.

Well I am at the MVP summit talking about ConfigMgr v.Next. Very fun. That is about all I can say due to the NDA.

ConfigMgr Superflows Released

Superflows are pumped up flowcharts to help admins follow a proceedure or course inside of Configuration Manager 2007.

Main Linkhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff385001.aspx

SuperFlow for Creating SQL Server Reporting Services Report Models in Configuration Manager 2007
SuperFlow for Configuring Software Updates
Software Update Deployment SuperFlow
Software Updates Synchronization SuperFlow

It is the hope of the community and Microsoft that these will help you understand/implement/and deploy ConfigMgr better.

Collections Based on Metered Data

Software last run more the X days ago
----------------
select distinct SMS_R_System.ResourceId, SMS_R_System.Name from SMS_R_System inner join SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData on SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId where SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData.FileName = "sol.exe" and SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData.StartTimeLocal > DateAdd(dd,-6,GetDate())


Software NOT run in x days
-----------------
select distinct SMS_R_System.ResourceId, SMS_R_System.Name from SMS_R_System where SMS_R_System.ResourceId not in (select distinct SMS_R_System.ResourceId from SMS_R_System inner join SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData on SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData.ResourceID = SMS_R_System.ResourceId where SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData.FileName = "sol.exe" and SMS_G_System_SoftwareUsageData.StartTimeLocal > DateAdd(dd,-6,GetDate()))

Win 7 clients for SMS 2003

Microsoft has added support for Win7 and Server 2008 R2 clients in SMS 2003 SP3.

More information can be found here
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=974014

This should be used as a stepping stone as people move from SMS 2003 to SCCM 2007 or even V.Next due out sometime next year. Since main stream support has ended I would recommend people look at moving not just because support has ended but because the added benifits that are in 2007 Sp2 R2.

If you intend on staying with 2003 and jump 2007 then I would recommend that you download the ConfigMgr 2007 R2 VHD http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0fadab7-0620-481d-a8b6-070001727c56&displaylang=en

to play with and see how it all works so you will be better prepaired for the next version.

MMS 2010 Sesions list has been posted

For those looking at attenting MMS 2010 the sessions have now been posted. This list might change as more speakers accept or decline the offer. Expect to see dates/times by mid Feburary. You may use the drop down menu or simply download the latest PDF file to see all the sessions.

http://www.mms-2010.com/public/sessions.aspx

Mainstream Support for SMS 2003 ends 1/10

Well, 1 week from today mainstream support for SMS 2003 ends. This means no more hotfixes or Design Request changes. It is time to move forward to ConfigMgr 2007. If you really don't want to move at this point you could hold out to some time in 2011 for the lastest ConfigMgr but you will be missing some great opportunities for your hierarchy. ConfigMgr 2007 R3 should be out in the next few months and this extends the product once again. This is also the first R3 release for any Microsoft product.

Configuration Manager MVP for 2010

Microsoft saw fit to award me as a MVP again. This will be my second year. Thank you Microsoft for the great opportunities that come as a MVP. Hopefully I doing some good out there for everyone.