System Drive running out of disk space due to installer folder

Symptom: 

Environment :

Server 2012 R2.

Test Environment for application

Problem :

almost out of disk space (C Drive). Out of 60 GB only 3GB is left. This occurs after routine Microsoft patching cycle completes. After checking the folder size we noticed that Windows Installer hidden folder utilizes over 22GB of files and WinSxS utilizes over 8GB of files. Is it advised to move 'Installer' folder to another shared location and then create a shortcut to run "mklink /D C:\Windows\Installer D:\C_DRIVE\Windows\Installer" or is there any other alternative method we need to consider to clean up the disk space.

you need to resolve this issue

Cause: 

Normal behavior

Resolution:

Creating link path into installer folder is last option 

Note : Not recommended, nor supported deleting files from this directory.

Windows Installer Cache, located in c:\windows\installer folder, is used to store important files for applications installed using the Windows Installer technology and should not be deleted. If the installer cache has been compromised, you may not immediately see problems until you perform an action such as uninstall, repair, or update on a product.

More information : 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2667628/missing-windows-installer-cache-files-will-require-a-computer-rebuild

Windows/installer folder may contain Orphaned Patches, but the tricky job how to identify the registered or not patch.

During the research I have found a script might help us, please check :

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/heaths/2007/02/01/how-to-safely-delete-orphaned-patches/

From another side please apply this update on the system and reboot “update MSI.DLL :

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3139923/windows-installer-msi-repair-doesn-t-work-when-msi-package-is-installed-on-an-http-share-in-windows”

Additionally, thought to share this with you if applicable. The value of the MaxPatchCacheSize under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer policy is the maximum percentage of disk space that the installer can use for the cache of old files

More information :

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa369798(v=vs.85).aspx 

and 

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa369784(v=vs.85).aspx

There is no limitation as to how many files that we could store in the windows folders. The content in the folder c:\windows\Installer are added by the msi based installations. When they are planning to install so many applications that would lay down 7000 files, they would want to consider the space and the other performance issues as well

Therefore last efforts if above did not resolve the issue :

 1. Increase C: volume size ( if possible) (recommended action).

 2.  Workaround : (prefer to apply on test environment within the installed application).

Copy using Windows explorer C:\Windows\Installer to another disk, e.g., D:\C_DRIVE\Windows\Installer

Make a backup copy of C:\Windows\Installer

Type the following commands in a cmd.exe window running as Administrator:

rmdir /s /q C:\Windows\Installer

mklink /D C:\Windows\Installer D:\C_DRIVE\Windows\Installer

Force Active Directory replication on a domain controller

Force Active Directory replication on a domain controller

In order to force Active Directory replication, issue the command 'repadmin /syncall /AeD' on the domain controller.  Run this command on the domain controller in which you wish to update the Active Directory database for.  For example if DC2 is out of Sync, run the command on DC2.

A = All Partitions

e = Enterprise (Cross Site)

D = Identify servers by distinguished name in messages.

By default this does a pull replication - which is how AD works by default.  If you want to do a push replication use the following command:

repadmin /syncall /APeD

P = Push

You want to do a push replication if you make changes on a DC and you want to replicate those changes to all other DC's.  For example, you make a change on DC1 and you want all other changes to get that change instantly, run repadmin /syncall /APeD on DC1.

Active Directory Replication Monitor (replmon) tool can be also used to sync across all domains

- synchronize each directory partition with all servers >> push mode and cross site boundaries.

note: gpupdate /force updates the group policies

Can't send an email message when Full Access permission is granted to a shared mailbox in Exchange Server

Can't send an email message when Full Access permission is granted
Sent on behalf email bounce back with message "This message could not be sent. Try sending the message again later, or contact your network administrator. You do not have the permission to send the message on behalf of the specified user. Error is [0x80070005-0x0004dc-0x000524]"
Solution:
Seems this has to undergo cleanup activity from Caching folder

Method 1
Configure the shared mailbox as an additional account. To do this, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Info.
2. Click Account Settings, and then click Account Settings.
3. Select your account, and then click Change.
4. In the Change Account dialog box, click More Settings.
5. On the Advanced tab, click Add.
6. Enter the name of the mailbox, and then click OK.
   
   After you make this change, the additional mailbox is listed on the Advanced tab in the Microsoft Exchange dialog box.
   
7. In the Microsoft Exchange dialog box, click OK.
8. In the Change Account dialog box, click Next.
9. Click Finish, and then click Close.

Method 2:
Caching Folder

follow steps 1 to 6 to get advanced tab and click outlook data file settings

Copy the cache patch (C:\Users\??enterloggedinusername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\ and remove the .ost and also delete files from 'Offline Address Books' folder.
We were able to send message without any hassles after this corrective approach.

List all SIDs

need to run this using admin privileges via windows PowerShell cmd

Get-ADUser -Filter * -SearchBase "ou=Sales,ou=West,dc=MyDomain,dc=com" |  Select sAMAccountName, SID

ex: Get-ADUser -Filter * -SearchBase "ou=users,ou=department,dc=yourdomain,dc=com" |  Select sAMAccountName, SID

How to send Node to Node Message in Windows 7 Connected Nodes

by default this feature has been deprecated in Windows 7
however, a domain admin with domain privileges can do so from command prompt

syntax:

msg /server:L1411004 console testmsg

where L1411004 is the hostname and testmsg is the actual message

If you encounter the following error message:-

- troubleshooting error: "Error 5 getting session names" then,
- Error 1722 getting session names

On the machine that you cannot message to:
Use regedit to navigate to: (this access destination hostname via Admin mode from source machine from registry console itself. this again requires admin privileges. Type regedit from cmd prompt. Then Click File >> Connect Network Registry

error connecting network registry pop-up usually appears when the destination windows firewall is activated and blocks all incoming connections. try to figure out this by allowing icmp ports. also, make sure remote registry services are running on either hosts.

and then change the destination registry settings AllowRemoteRPC value data from 0 to 1 base hexadecimal

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server

Then change the following value:

Name : AllowRemoteRPC
Type : REG_DWORD
Value : 1

Excel Function: Rupees to Words

Excel Function to Convert Rupees in Figure to Rupees in Word

Following function convert ( Rupees in figure ) numeric value in a Microsoft Excel worksheet cell into its equivalent in (Rupees in Word ) English words.

e.g. =SpellNumber(2450) will display as Rupees Two Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Only

After copying following code, Enable macro and use above function.

How to create the sample function Called SpellNumber

Start Microsoft Excel.
Press ALT+F11 to start the Visual Basic Editor.
On the Insert menu, click Module.
Type the following code into the module sheet.


Function SpellNumber(amt As Variant) As Variant
Dim FIGURE As Variant
Dim LENFIG As Integer
Dim i As Integer
Dim WORDs(19) As String
Dim tens(9) As String
WORDs(1) = "One"
WORDs(2) = "Two"
WORDs(3) = "Three"
WORDs(4) = "Four"
WORDs(5) = "Five"
WORDs(6) = "Six"
WORDs(7) = "Seven"
WORDs(8) = "Eight"
WORDs(9) = "Nine"
WORDs(10) = "Ten"
WORDs(11) = "Eleven"
WORDs(12) = "Twelve"
WORDs(13) = "Thirteen"
WORDs(14) = "Fourteen"
WORDs(15) = "Fifteen"
WORDs(16) = "Sixteen"
WORDs(17) = "Seventeen"
WORDs(18) = "Eighteen"
WORDs(19) = "Nineteen"
tens(2) = "Twenty"
tens(3) = "Thirty"
tens(4) = "Fourty"
tens(5) = "Fifty"
tens(6) = "Sixty"
tens(7) = "Seventy"
tens(8) = "Eighty"
tens(9) = "Ninety"
FIGURE = amt
FIGURE = Format(FIGURE, "FIXED")
FIGLEN = Len(FIGURE)
If FIGLEN < 12 Then
FIGURE = Space(12 - FIGLEN) & FIGURE
End If
If Val(Left(FIGURE, 9)) > 1 Then
SpellNumber = "Rupees "
ElseIf Val(Left(FIGURE, 9)) = 1 Then
SpellNumber = "Rupee "
End If
For i = 1 To 3
If Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) < 20 And Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)))
ElseIf Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 19 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & tens(Val(Left(FIGURE, 1)))
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Right(Left(FIGURE, 2), 1)))
End If
If i = 1 And Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & " Crore "
ElseIf i = 2 And Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & " Lakh "
ElseIf i = 3 And Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & " Thousand "
End If
FIGURE = Mid(FIGURE, 3)
Next i
If Val(Left(FIGURE, 1)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Left(FIGURE, 1))) + " Hundred "
End If
FIGURE = Mid(FIGURE, 2)
If Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) < 20 And Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)))
ElseIf Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 19 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & tens(Val(Left(FIGURE, 1)))
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Right(Left(FIGURE, 2), 1)))
End If
FIGURE = Mid(FIGURE, 4)
If Val(FIGURE) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & " Paise "
If Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) < 20 And Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)))
ElseIf Val(Left(FIGURE, 2)) > 19 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & tens(Val(Left(FIGURE, 1)))
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & WORDs(Val(Right(Left(FIGURE, 2), 1)))
End If
End If
FIGURE = amt
FIGURE = Format(FIGURE, "FIXED")
If Val(FIGURE) > 0 Then
SpellNumber = SpellNumber & " Only "
End If
End Function

Know your RDP Port Number via Registry

Look for registry settings for remote access on Windows 2012:

Computer\HKEY_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-TCP\PortNumber

Get a List of all SIDs

via PowerShell command from AD get a list of all SID in a domain residing in a specific OU:
Get-ADUser -Filter * -SearchBase "ou=users,dc=domain,dc=com" | Select sAMAccountName, SID

on local machine logged in profile SIDs are listed
@HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\

SID is listed here

Keep it Clean, else it is a Smart Home for Germs!

You Have 21,000 Germs Per Square Inch On Your handheld device, whether it be laptop, mobile or desktop! Can you believe this? Yes, it's a proven fact.

"A microbiologist at the University of Arizona counted bacteria on workplace surfaces for a study sponsored by The Clorox Co., makers of Clorox bleach. Office toilet seats had 49 germs per square inch, he found. But desktops had almost 21,000 germs per square inch. Desks, phones, computer keyboards and mice are key germ transfer points because people touch them so often..." ~ CNN.com

When it comes to day to day electronic gadgets, all we tend to think about is the stuff we see on the screen, keyboard and handheld mobile devices. Most of us tend to neglect the basic fact of keeping them clean.

Every computer, laptop (in fact all electronic gadgets) have vents that channel hot air out. These vents should always enable air to pass out. You should avoid any blockages. For example, if you are using the laptop on a desk and have blocked one of the air vents with a book or something else on the desk, it’s safe to assume the laptop will overheat, regardless of the design! Also, if there are vents under the laptop, you could try propping it over the desk by placing the laptop on a couple of books, taking care not to cover the vents.

It is common for dust and dirt to block air vents. In fact, computers fail and have intermediate problems due to excessive dust build up. Apart from air vents, laptops breathe through the keyboard. Therefore, ensure the keyboard is free of any dirt or grime.

 

 Bacteria Farm that live on smart phones

In a recent report, scientists have also found over 500 types of bacteria and nearly 30 types of fungi from 27 handsets. It was a study from UK that had suggested that mobile phones and computer keyboards are dirtier than toilet seats. Both devices carry the sweat and grime and provide a perfect breeding ground for microbes.

The University Of Surrey students made imprints of their mobile phones in a Petri dish which was allowed to grow for a few days.  Most of it was harmless, but they did find Staphyloccoccus aureus – which can cause everything from staph infections to food poisoning.

Messy keyboard when opened found food particles, kitten hairs and pet pheromones, and so on..

So, what can you do?

     

Avoid to have refreshment in front of a laptop especially keyboard (eating biscuits, shawarma, burger, and of course sneezing in front of laptop screen)

Keep clean to stay healthy:

No matter how tempting it is, swabbing with damp cloth will do to an extent, however washing with water is always a bad idea!!

First of all, you’ll want to turn off your computer and unplug your keyboard.

Turn your keyboard over and try to shake out any loose particles. This part can be pretty gross, especially if you tend to eat at your desk.

It is suggested to get a can of compressed air and spray it over the keys to remove any extra debris that may be lying in between the cracks. Compressed air is available at any supermarket or computer store.

Take a slightly damp cloth and run it over the keys to remove any fingerprints and any other dirt that might be settling in on your keys.

For laptops, use dusting brush and just run it over the keyboard to make sure all remaining particles of dust, dirt, food, etc. are removed. Take a slightly damp cloth and run it over the screen to remove any fingerprints.

 In a "nutshell", you can easily disinfect and sterilize the surface by dampening the corner of the soft cleaning lint-free cloth with a bit of water and an antibacterial cleaner designed for cleaning surfaces or sanitizing spray made for disinfecting electronics and gently wipe off the back of the smart phone and the buttons. That should take care of some of the nasty critters. Avoid using paper towel or tissue paper to clean as that can leave scratches on the screen just because they are made of wood pulp.

Experiencing difficulty in adding profile photo of employees

Basically, In active Directory we can use images up to 96×96 pixels in resolution. But in exchange 2013 you can use high resolution photo for the users which will be stored in user mailbox. This will allow you to upload photos up to 648x648 pixels.

If you dont have Photoshop or alternate software to edit pictures, don't worry this can be done online as well via http://resizeimage.net/

Requirements:

- Photo should be in format *.jpg.

- Photo should be in square shape. simply, Hight=Width.

Setting User Photos:

Two ways:

Users can upload their own photos through OWA >> Click on Display name (up right) >> Change Photo
Administrator can import photots in Exchange by using command below:
Single line command:

Set-UserPhoto “a.hany” -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes(“C:\UsersPhotos\a.hany96x96.jpg”)) –Confirm:$False

You may also set photo or remove profile photo by the following methods:

Set-UserPhoto -Identity "Andrew Hany" -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes("C:\Photo\Photo_Outlook\a.hany_96x96.jpg"))

This example uploads and saves a photo to Andrew Hany's user account using a single command.

Set-UserPhoto -Identity "Andrew Hany" -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes("C:\Photo\Photo_Outlook\a.hany_96x96.jpg")) -Preview; 

Set-UserPhoto "Andrew Hany" -Save

This example shows how to use two commands to upload and save a preview photo to Andrew Hany's user account. The first command uploads a preview photo to Andrew Hany's user account, and the second command saves the uploaded photo as the preview photo.

Set-UserPhoto -Identity "Andrew Hany" -Cancel

This example deletes the preview photo that was uploaded in the previous example.

Reviewing User Photos:

access the following URL to check

https://mail.contoso.com/ews/Exchange.asmx/s/GetUserPhoto?email=a.hany@contoso.com&size=HR648x648

Note: You need to change highlighted parts according to your environment.

Get Serial Number

from command prompt type:
wmic bios get serialnumber
returns the serial number of machine

To be consciously competent in thoughts and actions we need to use accepted technologies. 

Survival of the fittest solely depends on how competent you are in today's world. 

My experience says, in an official group if everyone has communication methodology via similar apps which you don't have, means you won't be able to compete with other groups on time like we say a stitch in time saves nine. 

New Year Resolution

New Year 2017 resolution is dedicated to me, myself and my family!

Uninstalled WhatsApp - (revoked this decision in 3 days)

As we all know technology is to connect people, but today's social media like fb, instagram, whatsapp are so much connected that we are disconnected from the people around us.

Social media is very common for most of us. Texting was actually meant for sms to me a few years back when I bought my first smartphone. Texting and sharing and caring things became fun and fun became habit and habit became addiction. Technology and fun psychologically drifted my thoughts to opt from android to iphone. Transition made so much connected that while driving, while stopping @signals, while reading, while eating, while @work, @dawn, @desk and all kinds of productivity got compromised because of the so called addiction.

I have over 23 WhatsApp groups and very often getting distracted to phone. Sometimes a group filled with over scores of messages gets bombarded in a day that too with so much irritating buzzing discords. The strategy of not active in fb since last few years has saved enough time to think positively, hence at the stroke of midnight of 31st Dec 2016 a decision has been made to uninstall WhatsApp from my handheld device and that's definitely not the end of the world, I will miss it, but this was necessary. My inner conscience describes being 'myself' is when we connect to social community including family and friends 'without compromising'. 

Thanks for understanding and you can always email2rinith@gmail.com or reach me anytime over phone.

blog to follow..

resolution also includes 

..lifestyle modification 
..a cup of green tea w/o sugar

..reorganising stuff with family
..me as chef
i'm gonna write my experiences about the life style changes in the coming days