Windows Server – Where Has Disk Management Gone?
KB ID 0000724 Problem Much as I like Server 2012, I’m stuck in my ways when it comes to admin tasks, when I want to do some disk management, I right click computer and select manage, and disk management is never far away. Until now where it’s nowhere to be seen. Solution Option 1 (The Tech Ninja Way) Press Windows Key+R and Run diskmgmt.msc Option 2 (The Lazy GUI Way) Open the advanced context menu (Windows Key+X), select...
Windows Server – Disable IESC (IE Enhanced Security Configuration)
KB ID 0000728 Problem We have had IESC (or IE Enhanced Security) in previous iterations of Windows Server, It is not a bad thing, in most cases you will not want people browsing the internet from a server anyway. Though when you have just built a server, and you are trying to get software and patches onto it it can be very annoying. With IESC enabled you will see this every time you visit a site; Content from the website listed below...
Microsoft Communications Managed API 4.0 Install Error
KB ID 0000746 Problem When attempting to install the Microsoft Communications Managed API 4.0 on a Windows Server 2012 machine. You get the following error; Setup has detected that this computer does not meet the requirements to install this software. The following blocking issue must be resolved before you can install Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 4.0, Runtime software package. Microsoft Unified Communications Managed...
Windows Server – Fine Grained Password Policies
KB ID 0000765 Problem Before server 2008 if you wanted more than one password policy, you had to create a sub domain just to do that! with Server 2008 we were given fine grained password policies, which were fine (if a little clunky), and involved you creating ‘Password Settings Objects’. They were a pain if you were not used to them e.g. five minutes is entered as 00:00:05:00. But now Microsoft have made things a LOT...
Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 – Activation Error 0xC004F074
KB ID 0000766 Problem I jumped on a clients remote desktop services server today and saw; However when I went to activate; Windows couldn’t be activated Error Code: 0xC004F074 Error Description:the Software Licensing Service reported that the product could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information. Solution Out of the box this version of...
Windows Server 2012 – RDP Server – How to get the ‘Start / Metro Screen’
KB ID 0000767 Problem When you RDP to a server running Windows Server 2012, in Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Server) mode. How do you get the start menu up? If you press the Windows Key or Ctrl+Esc, you get the menu on YOUR Machine? Solution Firstly, I know it’s not called the ‘Metro Interface’ any more, but that’s what everyone calls it! 1. Drag your mouse pointer off the bottom left hand side of the screen (1)...
Remote Desktop Services – RemoteApp Error ‘The remote computer could not be found. Please contact your helpdesk about this error’
KB ID 0000768 Problem While attempting to launch a web app from a Windows Server 2012 Remote Desktop Services (Terminal) server. Clients were greeted with the following; RemoteApp Disconnected The remote computer could not be found. Please contact your helpdesk about this error. Solution 1. On the Server, Start > RD Gateway Manager > Locate your server > right click > properties > Server farm > Type in the FQDN of...
Window Server – Configuring NIC Teaming
KB ID 0000786 Problem One great new feature of Server is bult in network ‘Teaming’. To do this normally takes some third party software, either form the server vendor (HP Teaming) or from the NIC manufacturer. It utilises a new Windows feature called LBFO, this lets you both aggregate links, and have links available in the event of failover. Note: NIC Teaming only supports up to 32 network cards. Solution 1. Launch Server...
Windows Server 2012 – Deploying SSTP VPNs
KB ID 0000819 Problem SSTP gives you the ability to connect to your corporate network from any location that has an internet connection, and is not filtering https. This port is usually open for normal secure web traffic. Traditional VPN connections require ports and protocols to be open for them to work, which makes a solution that runs over TCP port 443 attractive. Thoughts: While I can see why this is a good idea, Microsoft has...
Direct Access – Error While Running The Remote Access Wizard
KB ID 0000839 Problem Seen on Windows Server 2012, when configuring direct access, while running the ‘Getting Started Wizard’ you have to choose the network topology. You have a choice of edge, behind an edge device (with 1 NIC), or behind an edge device (with 2 NICs). Each choice you make will present you with one of the following errors. An external adapter with a public IP address, IPv6 enabled and without a domain...