Phantom Devices

Have you ever had to swap out a network card in your or (more likely if you're reading this) a clients computer and found that when it comes to applying the IP address the computer believes that the IP address is already in use by another device?

If so then, like me, you've probably also gone into the device manager and attempted locate this mysterious device that you know just isn't there. Again, like me, you've then probably discovered that even though you've selected the 'View Hidden Devices' option there appears to be no clashing devices.

At this point, you've probably sat back and said something like:

OH! ok, so there's something stuck in the registry...lets try and recreate the circumstances which caused the message to appear on screen so i can note down the name of the device to enable me to search the registry and get rid.

Although this IS an option and i personally have had a certain amount of success using it, it is also one which i would advise against. Take it from me, if you mess it up, then you may end up corrupting the registry to the point whereby you are unable to see any of the devices. The only option i have found at this point is to take a copy of all your important data, format and re-install.

So if it's impossible to see with the 'View Hidden Devices' option selected and it's also not advisable to plough through the registry then what, i hear you ask, can i do about it?

Well fortunately, the good ol'chaps at Microsoft have left you one final option. Burried away in every copy of Windows to date is a version of a piece of software which basically kicked started the whole Microsoft empire.

This software is known as MSDOS and is a very basic yet powerful text-based operating system. It has a vast array of features, far far too many to list here, which effectively allow you to side step the Windows operating system. It is free for you to exploit to your benffit.

Ok, so how can it help in this instance? Simply follow the procedure below and all will be revealed:

• Log on to the computer as a system administrator
• If you're using XP: Click the Start menu and click 'Run' If you are using Vista or above: Use the text entry box and proceed to the next step.
• Type 'CMD' (without quotation marks) and press return or enter.
• At the MSDOS command prompt, type:

  set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

  ...and hit return or enter. It will appear as if nothing has happend but for the flashing cursor moving onto the next line - this is to be expected. The command simply sets an environmental variable which is local to the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) you are about to call and will enable us to see the phantom devices. The setting will be lost upon closing the MMC.
• Type 'devmgmt.msc' (without quotation marks) and hit return or enter. This will display Windows Device Manager MMC.
• Click the 'View' menu and select 'Show Hidden Devices'.

What you have done is to show a list of every device that has ever been plugged into your computer mixed in with the devices which are currently installed on your computer. This will range form defunct NIC cards to the countless number of USB sticks which people tend to stick into terminals these days. The devices, drivers and services that are currently not in use are those which are greyed out.

Now for the 'fun' bit, you will have to expand each of the device types to find the particular device which you think is causing the problem. Be warned though, not all greyed out or hidden devices are devices that need to be uninstalled. It may be that they are used as part of the Windows logon process and as such are not in use at the time you are looking at them. Deleting it may cause system failure or instability. Also note that uninstalling too many devices may end up in you having to re-Activate your copy of Windows.

On a final note, if you prematurely exit the Device Manager, you will have to go through the process mentioned above to allow you to see all the unused devices again. As mentioned during the process, the setting is an environmental setting that is local to the MMC you require after the environmental variable has been applied.

To close the MSDOS command prompt simply type 'exit' (without quotation marks) and hit return or enter...or click the 'X' in the top right corner.

By the way, I will not be held responsible for any issues caused by using the above procedure. The information is offered up for informative purposes only. If you decide to use it, it is your own choice to do so. There are many MSDOS commands available for you to use some of which are potentially more damaging than others. Although, on its own, i would rate the command used here to be of a low risk if you are not fully aware of what you are doing what it allows you to do could end up in the destruction and termination of your computer. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS PROCEEDURE ON A WHIM, ensure you are fully versed in all potential pitfalls...and relax :-)

General tips for editing Sharepoint with Office 2003 Programs

Editing Sharepoint documents with Office 2007 products is easy. You navigate to the document in sharepoint then open it...if you wish to edit it there is a nice and large simple 'Edit' button in the top right of the Office application you are viewing the document with.

As appears to be standard with Microsoft products, to do it in older versions is a little more confusing. For a start, you will only be able to do it at all so long as you're using Office XP or above. For another, the only way you will be able to use Sharepoint at all with Office XP/2003 is by ensuring that you have installed the appropriate Office Sharepoint Tool in the first instance.

To do this the process (which may be slightly different dependant on opperating system or Office version) is to goto Control Pannel --> Add Remove Programs --> Select the change button within the place holder for your Version of Office --> Tick the 'Install Advanced features' tickbox --> Click Next --> Expand Office Tools --> Select the 'Run Component from My Computer' option for the Sharepoint Services --> Click update button at the bottom. Once this has been done you have the ability to at least use Sharepoint services.

The next issue you will run into is that you when you open a document, it will only open in 'Read Only' mode. If you edit the file you will find that when you come to saving it, the only option is to save a local copy to your HDD or other personal storrage areas.

To conquer this problem you will have to hold the mouse pointer over the file you wish to edit first to reveal a dropdown box. Once this has appeared, expand the options and select the 'Check Out' option from the list available to you. Confusingly, this will promote the document to the top of the list (if there are more than 1 in the repositry you are viewing). You can then simply click on the document to open it in edit mode.

When you then come to close it, select the 'Check In' option from the Sharepoint toolbar down the right edge of the screen and give an update as to what has been done with the document. Once this is complete, select the close button in the top right of the program window to comlete your operations for that particular session....SIMPLES!

A note for Sharepoint admins...I have also found that a certain kind fellow has posted a solution to this online. It is in the form of a Javascript that runs on the point of clicking the link to open a file. Instead of going directly to the file, the user is presented with a question box which asks them whether or not they wish to edit the document. This solution can be found at:

• Tonstegeman.com

As the programmer mentions, it could very well save on a great deal of tounge bashing down the phone as low skilled users have to figgure out how to do the above procedure.

Deleting dead services

Found an interesting DOS command today thanks to Will off of Superuser.com.

The following command can be used to delete a dead Windows service from the services Microsoft Management Console (MMC). A dead service may occur when after uninstalling a piece of Software whose service had been disabled and not re-enabled prior to the orighinal removal process.

Be warned though, you have to KNOW that the service is dead before you attempt to delete it. If, upon attempting to set a service to run automatically and attempting to start it in the 'Services' MMC, you receive messages such as 'cannot find the associated EXE', it is almost a sure fire indicator that a service is dead...whether this is a good thing or not in terms of your system is for you to decide.

What can be taken for granted is that at this point the service itself is not likely to be having any effect on anything within your operating system. If in doubt, use the Services MMC to find out where the EXE should be storred (usually C:\Program Files\[Folder Named After Associated Software] or similar). Simply right click the service and look in the general tab. Navigate through to this location and make double sure that the particular file or folder no longer exists.

To delete a DEAD service:

• Logon to the terminal with the offending service as administrator
  
• Unless you have a shortcut, open a CMD window from the following location:
  
  Start --> Run
  
  
• Type:
  
  SC query state= all >> "C:\[preferred folder name]\Services_list.log"
  
  
• Hit the Return/Enter key (not too hard!)
  
• Open the log file created by the above CMD statement (which should be saved to the location stated after the double chevrons (the ">>" bit))
  
• Browse through the file created to find the name of the System name of the service you want to remove. Remember, take time to be ABSOLUTELY SURE it is a service which you definately wish to get rid of and that it is one that can be gotten rid of without destroying the backbone of your operating system.
  
• Note it down or highlight and copy it from the 'Services_list.LOG'
  
• Click back to the CMD window.
  
• Type the following command:
  
  SC Delete [Service Name]
  
  
• Hit Return/Enter again.
  

This should result in a message appearing on the screen detailing that the offending service has been removed from your system for good. This method negates the potentially operating system trashing need to trawl through your registry to find the offending entries.

The 'SC' command in DOS appears to be a rather usefull tool with many different uses. Simply open a CMD window and type:

SC /?

...to reveal its further uses. This can be done for most every DOS command should you be at a loss on how to utilise it.

Hope this helps someone. Feel free to drop me a line if it does!!

hangover

feeling rough...should never drink beer then wine without eating well first. Standing up, sittin down, doin anything results in ilness. Horrible, horrible ilness. ugggh when will it end.