We're looking to replace a server for a client and deciding whether to put the DC and FS on a single VM (which is what they have had for the last 6 years). I've always been in favour for splitting the two but wanted to know your thoughts.

The new server spec: Xeon 2620 2.10Ghz - 24GB Ram

They have 15 users (with roaming profiles).

Can you let me know if adding the two together are a big no-no or what the reasons are for not doing this. I understand converting a VM to a DC has a slight effect on write cache so could affect performance but in practice is this a huge downside? Trying to weigh up differences, pro's and con's

@scottalanmiller Thanks all - I like the fees idea.
It would be a good idea if it was possible to create an account but on a timer. IE. This account will self-destruct in 3 days. Giving them a small window to do what they want. thanks all again

Hi All

Q: what would you do?

We have a client who want to install software (a number of them) for testing on a computer but cant because they dont know the admin password which we need to make changes. (UAC)

I have explained we dont give this out as policy due to security vulnerabilities and of course to prevent users making changes we dont necessarily want them to etc. We advised that we would happily install any apps they want if they give us the list and we'd roll them out.

Then then came back to say they understand but can we not create another local admin user for them to use....
Now - this is besides the point and makes no sense as allows them to do something we dont want to do!

What would you do?

I tried this. Powershell launched at startup but the script didnt run. What I noticed is that if i run the script with powershell, it doesnt work. However if I open with Powershell and execute the script, it works!

So I get to this stage:
Where should I browse to? I can find the PS application but how do I point to this, then get it to run the script within? forgive me, limited knowledge on PS scripting.

Hi Team
So I have a client using Azure File storage. In short, they have a mapped drive (S:) which is a mapped to a small Azure file storage repository.

Annoyingly when the computer is rebooted (sometimes) or goes to sleep, when they log in, the S drive has disappeared (despite persist in the script). Can anyone let me know either a) how to keep the mapped drive there always and forever, or b) how to set the powershell script to run on login automatically (as an admin). If you need any more details, please let me know. thanks, J

can you install Pertino VPN client on a Chromebook? If so, does it work well like it does to OSX and Windows?
Has anyone tried this?
Thanks

@jaredbusch Only that one particular database is very slow. Even right clicking to rename or choose copy - it takes ages to bring up the properties!

A weird one for you today! I have a client who works across a small network of 4 computers: 2 based inside the office (PC01, PC02) and 2 external (PC03. PC04).

ZeroTier VPN is installed on all computers with PC01 acting as the file server
(\pc01\sharedfolder is mapped on the PC02, 03 and 04 computers)

One of the files in this share is an Excel database approx 10mb of which only one user can access at a time.

Internally the users on their computers can access it without any problems.
However externally the two computers PC03/04 cant open the Excel file.

Firstly it takes around 10mins to access (this is only a recent thing) but when the Excel does open on their computers it states: Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action.

For testing, I put that Excel database in OneDrive (which also sync's to each computer) and users externally can open it without a problem. However it simply fails to work when using the network drive location over VPN.

It's very odd. Our network speeds are not the quickest and it would take a min to open. but this worked up until a week ago without issues. Now it takes 6-10mins to open then throws that error.

I have enabled the option to ignore applications using DDE and have checked no addins causing a problem to no prevail.

Is it worth me installing a 64bit Excel? We're using 32bit 2016 at present.
Any help would be great.
Thanks

What have you guys used for Apple / OSX MDM management? We have a client who utilise Office 365 for mail and run file storage from a Windows server. When they were starting out Windows were the main OS. However they have had rapid growth and seems more and more common now users are working from MAC and i'd like to apply MDM to them so we can better maintain things...I know Office 365 can do this for Windows but what is recommended for MAC?

Thoughts welcomed.

I'm a fan of leaving these kind of things as long as possible as they would eventually catch themselves up and return to the previous state. Otherwise if thats no option, you can try logging in under safe mode to find out what update failed then try and push it out manually.

Ignore that - i found this batch file which works well:

@echo off
echo >pinglog.txt
for /f "tokens=" %%A in ('ping 127.0.0.1 -n 1 ') do (echo %%A>>pinglog.txt && GOTO Ping)
:Ping
for /f "tokens= skip=2" %%A in ('ping 127.0.0.1 -n 1 ') do (echo %date% %time:~0,2%:%time:~3,2%:%time:~6,2% %%A>>pinglog.txt && GOTO Ping)

##CASE CLOSED##

Hi Guys
Does anyone know how to ping 8.8.8.8 -t with a time and date stamp? I know how to get this to a txt file ie: C:>ping google.com >> c:\Test.txt -t but how can i get this to show the actual time and date? any ideas would be welcomed. thanks

Thanks guys. I'll do more digging and ensure all drivers are updated.

Any ideas what this relates to? We're having a BSOD occasionally. The screens go black and then the computer crashes!
Graphics drivers are up to date. It's an old computer so know need replacing, but curious to know whats causing the blue screens. see attached...thoughts welcomed...!!

cheers guys. What I love about this forum is that theres always a superb response and members always take a general interest and open the topic to further discussions. It's a great community here so thanks for the responses....Yes, we do have a off-site backup in place but it runs once a day at 10pm. I like the idea of shadow copies and the audit trail.

I'm going to enable ShadowCopies for 1pm daily. One extra copy is better than nothing or would you suggest a number of copies each day?

How do I enable the audit trail?

Hi Guys, I have recently setup a typical File Server with shared folders etc. Usual bits really.
Whats not usual in this case, the office manager wants to prevent users being able to delete any files on the server as in the past they have deleted files accidentally.

Structure is: Share Name > Departmental Folder > User files

Is it possible to allow read/write access but simply prevent the deletion of files? Or at least when a user requests to delete a file, it prompts for admin credentials?

Suggestions would be most appreciated.

We're using Server 2012R2
Thanks

I just took a look at ZT and I like that it works on QNAP and Synology too - very useful. I may have to look at this

I dont know ZeroTier - I pressume it's similar? I'll take a look at it - why would you pick that over Pertino? I do believe our Watchguard is blocking the outbound connections. What ports do Pertino use (anyone know off the top?) I can see our firewall is denying 56436 AND 56511