Scripting Backup Exec 2012 - P2 - Creating a New Backup with Powershell

3 min read - Feb 9, 2013

Introduction In Part 2 of Scripting Backup Exec 2012, I’ll be illustrating how to create a Windows file backup from scratch using Powershell. For a basic rundown of the components, concepts and gotchas for this process, please see Part 1. Prerequisites: A fully patched and up to date installation of Backup Exec 2012 Powershell and (advantageous) basic Powershell knowledge An unrestricted execution policy A pre-installed and trusted Windows Agent added to the Backup Exec server.

Scripting Backup Exec 2012 - P3 - Customising and Adding Backup Tasks

5 min read - Feb 9, 2013

Introduction Part 3 will cover creating and customising backup tasks for our newly created backup definition. So far we’ve only accepted the defaults, so unless you’re happy with the predefined schedule, retention period and secondary backup type, you’re going to have to start customising your tasks! Customising and Adding Backup Tasks As we’ve already created a backup definition from the BackupToDisk defaults, we’ll have a new definition containing a full backup and an incremental backup.

Adding internet shortcuts and Steam games to the start screen in Windows 8

1 min read - Nov 18, 2012

With most programs, in Windows 8 you can simply right click and “Pin to start” But with Steam games and internet shortcuts, you can’t do this. Instead, you simply move the shortcut to the following location: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Once you’ve moved it, go into the start screen, right click, hit “all apps” in the bottom right. And then find your newly added shortcut, right click, hit “pin to start”

Allow log on through Terminal Services vs allow log on through Remote Desktop Services

2 min read - Sep 6, 2012

Long story short, I was looking for a way to allow a group of users access to specific member servers in active directory. Much googling brought up various references to “Allow log on through Terminal Services” and “Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services”, mostly references to the former which was not available on my server’s group policy. After much searching and heart rending, I discovered that these are** both names for the same setting**, which has a machine name of *SeRemoteIn**teractiveL**ogonRight*.

Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers unable to authenticate login requests.

1 min read - Aug 7, 2012

Recently I was faced with a problem. My Window Server 2003 DCs could authenticate logins fine, but my Windows Server 2008 DCs didn’t work at all. Naturally, in this situation you run good old DCDIAG against the servers in question. In my case, it came back with: dsbindwithspnex() failed with error 1753 Which, with a brief google, leads you to Troubleshooting RPC Endpoint Mapper errors (KB839880). As two servers worked (2k3) and two didn’t (2k8), it seemed likely to be a simple firewall misconfiguration.

Enabling Resolutions in Ubuntu 12.04 & Lubuntu 12.04

3 min read - May 29, 2012

Earlier I was setting up a new Lubuntu powered computer which was to be connected to a TV via HDMI as its primary display. When I set it up with my TV it recognised 1920×1080 as a viable resolution no problem at all. When I went to set it up on its destination display it refused to display anything above 1280×720. “What gives?” I thought to myself. Well, I never found out what gave, but here’s how to fix it:

TEDxOxford 2011

5 min read - Sep 27, 2011

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending TEDxOxford 2011. The Event I’ve been a fan of TED.com for many years. Essentially it’s a conference where people from all fields of expertise get together and exchange interesting ideas. The format is that of a series of talks, each time-limited to between 5 and 20 minutes, and the subject must be an idea worth sharing. TEDxOxford 2011 is an independently organised TED event, organised as it is by students from Oxford University.

Gmail advanced upload won't work in Chrome with non administrative users.

2 min read - Aug 29, 2011

The other day some of my users complained of a very strange issue when using Gmail at work. When composing a new email, they could not upload attachments using the “Advanced Upload” function. When they clicked “Add File” to upload a new document, nothing happened, no error, nothing, it just sat there and refused to work. Naturally it worked fine when I tried it. It seemed to happen only when the user did not have administrative access on their computer.

Spiceworks Computer, Software & Antivirus Assetting + Event Log Management. For.. Free?!

3 min read - Apr 14, 2011

Nearly 7 years ago, at the tender age of 18 I spent about 6 months coding and perfecting a VBScript/WMI software & computer assetting tool for Sysmex UK, the company I was working for at the time. I was coding it myself because the asset management systems at the time were either incredibly poorly featured, labour intensive, expensive or all three. I would have given my right arm for something along the lines of SpiceWorks

Twittering (and texting) Server Stats With Windows Server 2008

3 min read - Apr 4, 2011

Even though the RAM usage issue is hopefully resolved, I’m not taking any chances. So I decided to set it so that the server will direct message me on Twitter when the RAM usage reaches a certain threshold. Step 1: Perfmon To start the performance monitor, simply type ‘perfmon’ in the run command or open it up from ‘administrative tools’ You’ll need to create a user defined Data Collector Set