Enabling Windows Firewall on Domain Controllers……!

You can enable Windows Firewall on your domain controllers for enhanced security, but you should add below mention exceptions. Otherwise client machine not able to join to your domain.

     

          Enable the File And Print Sharing exception.

          Enable program exceptions for lsass.exe

          Enable program exceptions for ntfrs.exe

(which are found under %windir%\system32)

          Enable below mention ports       

                53 (TCP and UDP)

                88 (TCP and UDP)

               123 (UDP), 135 (TCP)

              137 (TCP), 389 (UDP)

              464 (TCP and UDP)

              636 (TCP).

Deference Between HDD and SSD

Attribute	SSD (Solid State Drive)	HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
Power Draw / Battery Life	Less power draw, averages 2 – 3 watts, resulting in 30+ minute battery boost	More power draw, averages 6 – 7 watts and therefore uses more battery
Cost	Expensive, $1.00 per gigabyte (based on buying a 240GB drive)	Only around $0.075 per gigabyte, very cheap (buying a 4TB model)
Capacity	Typically not larger than 512GB for notebook size drives	Typically 500GB – 2TB for notebook size drives
Operating System Boot Time	Around 22 seconds average bootup time	Around 40 seconds average bootup time
Noise	There are no moving parts and as such no sound	Audible clicks and spinning can be heard
Vibration	No vibration as there are no moving parts	The spinning of the platters can sometimes result in vibration
Heat Produced	Lower power draw and no moving parts so little heat is produced	HDD doesn’t produce much heat, but it will have a measurable amount more heat than an SSD due to moving parts and higher power draw
Failure Rate	Mean time between failure rate of 2.0 million hours	Mean time between failure rate of 1.5 million hours
File Copy / Write Speed	Generally above 200 MB/s and up to 500 MB/s for cutting edge drives	The range can be anywhere from 50 – 120MB / s
Encryption	Full Disk Encryption (FDE) Supported on some models	Full Disk Encryption (FDE) Supported on some models
File Opening Speed	Up to 30% faster than HDD	Slower than SSD
Magnetism Affected?	An SSD is safe from any effects of magnetism	Magnets can erase data

How to Create Shutdown, Restart, Hibernate and Sleep Shortcuts for MS Windows

Right-click on the desktop, choose New and then Shortcut. In the shortcut location box, you will need to enter the correct command, which I have mention for you below. ( For Windows 7 & Windows 8)

Shutdown Computer           Shutdown.exe -s -t 00

       

Restart Computer              Shutdown.exe -r -t 00      

Lock Workstation              Rundll32.exe User32.dll,LockWorkStation

Hibernate Computer          rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll,SetSuspendState

Sleep Computer                 rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState 0,1,0

                                              -f Forces running applications to close without warning.
                                                           -t xx Set timeout for shutdown to xx seconds.  

Windwos Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts for (Microsoft Windows) :

1. CTRL+C (Copy)
2. CTRL+X (Cut)
3. CTRL+V (Paste)
4. CTRL+Z (Undo)
5. DELETE (Delete)
6. SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
7. CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
8. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
9. F2 key (Rename the selected item)
10. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
11. CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
12. CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
13. CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
14. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text) SHIFT with any of the arrow keys                     (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
15. CTRL+A (Select all)
16. F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
17. ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
18. ALT+F4 (Close the active item, or quit the active program)
19. ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
20. ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
21. CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open                             simultaneously)
22. ALT+TAB (Switch between the open items)
23. ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
24. F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
25. F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
26. SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
27. ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
28. CTRL+ESC (Display the Start menu)
29. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu) Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
30. F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
31. RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
32. LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
33. F5 key (Update the active window)
34. BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
35. ESC (Cancel the current task)
36. SHIFT when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)

Dialog Box - Keyboard Shortcuts :

1. CTRL+TAB (Move forward through the tabs)
2. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the tabs)
3. TAB (Move forward through the options)
4. SHIFT+TAB (Move backward through the options)
5. ALT+Underlined letter (Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option)
6. ENTER (Perform the command for the active option or button)
7. SPACEBAR (Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box)
8. Arrow keys (Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons)
9. F1 key (Display Help)
10. F4 key (Display the items in the active list)
11. BACKSPACE (Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box)

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Shortcuts :

1. Windows Logo (Display or hide the Start menu)
2. Windows Logo+BREAK (Display the System Properties dialog box)
3. Windows Logo+D (Display the desktop)
4. Windows Logo+M (Minimize all of the windows)
5. Windows Logo+SHIFT+M (Restorethe minimized windows)
6. Windows Logo+E (Open My Computer)
7. Windows Logo+F (Search for a file or a folder)
8. CTRL+Windows Logo+F (Search for computers)
9. Windows Logo+F1 (Display Windows Help)
10. Windows Logo+ L (Lock the keyboard)
11. Windows Logo+R (Open the Run dialog box)
12. Windows Logo+U (Open Utility Manager)
13. Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts
14. Right SHIFT for eight seconds (Switch FilterKeys either on or off)
15. Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN (Switch High Contrast either on or off)
16. Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK (Switch the MouseKeys either on or off)
17. SHIFT five times (Switch the StickyKeys either on or off)
18. NUM LOCK for five seconds (Switch the ToggleKeys either on or off)
19. Windows Logo +U (Open Utility Manager)
20. Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
21. END (Display the bottom of the active window)
22. HOME (Display the top of the active window)
23. NUM LOCK+Asterisk sign (*) (Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder)
24. NUM LOCK+Plus sign (+) (Display the contents of the selected folder)
25. NUM LOCK+Minus sign (-) (Collapse the selected folder)
26. LEFT ARROW (Collapse the current selection if it is expanded, or select the parent folder)
27. RIGHT ARROW (Display the current selection if it is collapsed, or select the first subfolder)

Shortcut Keys for Character Map : 

After you double-click a character on the grid of characters, you can move through the grid by using the keyboard shortcuts:

1. RIGHT ARROW (Move to the rightor to the beginning of the next line)
2. LEFT ARROW (Move to the left orto the end of the previous line)
3. UP ARROW (Move up one row)
4. DOWN ARROW (Move down one row)
5. PAGE UP (Move up one screen at a time)
6. PAGE DOWN (Move down one screen at a time)
7. HOME (Move to the beginning of the line)
8. END (Move to the end of the line)
9. CTRL+HOME (Move to the first character)
10. CTRL+END (Move to the last character)
11. SPACEBAR (Switch between Enlarged and Normal mode when a character is selected)

Main Window Keyboard Shortcuts : 

1. CTRL+O (Open a saved console)
2. CTRL+N (Open a new console)
3. CTRL+S (Save the open console)
4. CTRL+M (Add or remove a console item)
5. CTRL+W (Open a new window)
6. F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
7. ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the MMC window menu)
8. ALT+F4 (Close the console)
9. ALT+A (Display the Action menu)
10. ALT+V (Display the View menu)
11. ALT+F (Display the File menu)
12. ALT+O (Display the Favorites menu)

MMC Console Window Keyboard Shortcuts :

1. CTRL+P (Print the current page or active pane)
2. ALT+Minus sign (-) (Display the window menu for the active console window)
3. SHIFT+F10 (Display the Action shortcut menu for the selected item)
4. F1 key (Open the Help topic, if any, for the selected item)
5. F5 key (Update the content of all console windows)
6. CTRL+F10 (Maximize the active console window)
7. CTRL+F5 (Restore the active console window)
8. ALT+ENTER (Display the Properties dialog box, if any, for the selected item)
9. F2 key (Rename the selected item)
10. CTRL+F4 (Close the active console window. When a console has only one console window, this shortcut closes the console)
Remote Desktop Connection Navigation
1. CTRL+ALT+END (Open the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box)
2. ALT+PAGE UP (Switch between programs from left to right)
3. ALT+PAGE DOWN (Switch between programs from right to left)
4. ALT+INSERT (Cycle through the programs in most recently used order)
5. ALT+HOME (Display the Start menu)
6. CTRL+ALT+BREAK (Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen)
7. ALT+DELETE (Display the Windows menu)
8. CTRL+ALT+Minus sign (-) (Place a snapshot of the active window in the client on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)
9. CTRL+ALT+Plus sign (+) (Place a snapshot of the entire client window area on the Terminal server clipboard and provide the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.)

Microsoft Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts :

1. CTRL+B (Open the Organize Favorites dialog box)
2. CTRL+E (Open the Search bar)
3. CTRL+F (Start the Find utility)
4. CTRL+H (Open the History bar)
5. CTRL+I (Open the Favorites bar)
6. CTRL+L (Open the Open dialog box)
7. CTRL+N (Start another instance of the browser with the same Web address)
8. CTRL+O (Open the Open dialog box,the same as CTRL+L)
9. CTRL+P (Open the Print dialog box)
10. CTRL+R (Update the current Web )

Keyboard Shorcuts for (Microsoft Windows) :

Keyboard Shorcuts for (Microsoft Windows) :

System Serial and Model from Command Promt

How to get the system serial and model from command line

Some times we may need to look for serial number and model of the system. We are generally do that our laptops upside down or by looking on CPU cabinet.

Below mentions are very essay method 

For Serial Number

wmic bios get serialnumber

For Manufacturer

wmic csproduct get vendor

For Model

wmic csproduct get name

Troubleshooting Dell iDRAC Issues (iDRAC6)

If you are having issues with your Dell iDRAC, refer to table and follow the resolution steps below:

Error Message/Symptom	Resolution steps
Unable to Access DRAC  - Setup/Configuration	1. Check that network cables are properly connected and network settings are configured properly a)      If customer is using AMEA card, ensure NIC setting is set to ‘Dedicated’ and network cable is connected to the port with a spanner icon b)      If customer is not using AMEA, network cable should be connected to the first LOM port and NIC setting should be set to “Shared” c)       Or the network cable can be connected to any LOM port and the NIC setting should be set to “Shared with Failover” 2. Find out the iDRAC IP address using any of the following: a)       racadm getniccfg b)       Enter CTRL+E option during system POST and go to LAN    configuration (Reboot required) c)       Enter Life cycle controller and go to LAN configuration (reboot required) 3. If you have a valid iDRAC IP, try to ping the iDRAC IP from the client system: ping xxx:xxx:xxx:xxx 4. If IP pinging successfully, then try to access iDRAC using preferred out of band system management tool 5. If iDRAC IP is not pinging, check and resolve the network connectivity issue and repeat from Step 1 a)      If DHCP is enabled make sure you have a DHCP server running on network to provide a valid DHCP IP Address b)      If DHCP is not enabled, provide a valid static IP Address, Network Mask and Gateway IP Address 6. If the above fails, Power down the server, unplug server from power source and then hold power button down for 20 seconds to drain flea power and then power back up. Got to step 1 again and try 7. Try BIOS, DRAC and NIC Firmware update (if a blade, update the CMC FW too) 8. Do an iDRAC reset to default using any of the following: a)      racadm racresetcfg (No host reboot required) b)      During POST enter CTRL+E option and execute Reset to default (Host reboot is required ) 9. After reset to default is completed, reconfigure iDRAC settings (LAN config, IPMI over LAN etc.) 10. Power cycle the server 11. Reseat the DRAC components.  Go through Step 1 above to make sure IP is same 12. If VLAN is being used, check for the VLAN settings in the DRAC config and ensure that they match the network settings 13. Ensure Duplex and speed settings match settings on Network Switch. DRAC is capable of 100 Mbps full duplex. Also check if network switch logs show any errors, specially spanning tree errors 14. If NIC setting is set to shared, check whether the port to which the network cable is connected is part of a team 15. Replace parts
Initialization errors during POST	(This issue is normally noticed when fan is running full speed or iDRAC communication error) 1. First, try to reset iDRAC using “racadm racreset” 2. Try to do an iDRAC reset to default using any of the following: a)      racadm racresetcfg (No host reboot required) b)      During POST enter CTRL+E option and execute Reset to default (Host reboot is required ) 3. After reset to default is completed, reconfigure iDRAC settings (LAN config, IPMI over LAN etc.) 4. If the above fails, try draining flea power by unplugging the server from power source and then holding power button down for 20 seconds. Got to step 1 again and try 5. If using AMEA, ensure that iDRAC express card is also installed 6. Try BIOS/Firmware / Software update 7. Replace parts
Continual Loop	(Normally noticed when customer is trying to log into GUI Page). 1. Ensure customer is using a supported Browser 2. If customer has changed browser settings, reset to defaults and check. 3. Clear the browser cache and browser cookies and restart the browser. 4. Check the security settings of browser and the host operating system. Check the firewall settings to verify firewall is not blocking iDRAC network traffic 5. Reset iDRAC 6. Update FW/SW 7. Try draining flea power by unplugging the server from power source and then holding power button down for 20 seconds 8. Do an iDRAC reset to default using any of the following: a)      racadm racresetcfg (No host reboot required) b)      During POST enter CTRL+E option and execute Reset to default (Host reboot is required ) 9. After reset to default is completed, reconfigure iDRAC settings (LAN config, IPMI over LAN etc.) 10. Replace parts
Credentials/Authentication issues	1. Ensure customer is using a supported Browser 2. Ensure customer is using correct username/password 3. Delete Browser  cache and cookies   4. Do Firmware / Software update 5. Reset iDRAC 6. Do an iDRAC reset to default using any of the following:racadm racresetcfg (No host reboot required) 7. During POST enter CTRL+E option and execute Reset to default (Host reboot is required ) 8. After reset to default is completed, reconfigure iDRAC settings (LAN config, IPMI over LAN etc.) 9. Replace parts
Incorrect/Wrong License -  Cannot use Web console for iDRAC	1.  Reboot the Host and enter CTRL+E option during POST. On the utility heading if it displays "BMC configuration utility" the machine does not have DRAC card installed. Customer has to use BMC
iDRAC 6 communication failure	1. Change Power recovery policy in BIOS to Always Off. Power cycle the machine 2. If the machine is equipped with a front panel LCD, note whether it is coming up and then see whether iDRAC is receiving an IP. If IP is received, update iDRAC and USC repair package using GUI 3. Else, do a platform update using USC or update BIOS, NIC and DRAC FW 4. Shutdown and switch on the host machine. During POST enter CTRL+E option and execute Reset to default 5. If that fails, try draining flea power by unplugging the server from power source and then holding power button down for 20 seconds. 6. If that doesn't resolve error, remove iDRAC express and Enterprise and check whether error goes away 7. Re-insert iDRAC express and Enterprise one at a time and check whether error goes away 8. If error goes away using above steps, do a platform update using USC or update BIOS, NIC and DRAC FW 9. Replace parts
Unable to ping DRAC. iDRAC LED off	1. Confirm NIC selection is set to dedicated
iDRAC6 not responding	1. Try draining flea power by unplugging the server from power source and then holding power button down for 20 seconds 2. Reseat components 3. Replace parts
Power Threshold Exceeded	1. Try draining flea power by unplugging the server from power source and then holding power button down for 20 seconds   2. Boot to BIOS and soft-reset it (turn on caps/scroll/num lock and hit ALT+E, ALT+F, ALT+B and the system will reboot) 3. Boot into the CTRL+E iDRAC bios and reset it to default, escape and the system will reboot. 4. Boot back into the iDRAC bios again and verify DRAC LAN and IPMI over LAN are both enabled, save and exit, escape and the system will reboot. 5. Boot the system to the OS and attempt iDRAC firmware flash to the latest version available at support.dell.com. 6. Try platform updates via USC 7. Reseat or remove iDRAC express and enterprise 8. There could be a possibility that some new hardware got added (for example a PCI card, new RAM modules, HDD, Storage controllers etc.) which requires more power, but the current PSU not able to support it. Check the PSU rating and compare with the actual consumption. If PSU rating is low, replace PSU 9. Rep

Windows XP Administrator Password Recovery

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.