Category: Software

Categories
iTunes

How to change itunes account brithdate

I ran into an issue where a game decided I was only 18, and then wanted to verify that I did put in the right brithdate. I basically found a method to change my birth date for my iTunes account, which should prove helpful for some.

1) In a browser of your choice, go to : appleid.apple.com

2) Select Manage your account, which prompts you to log in.

[zp src=”itunes-manage.jpg” album=”blog/itunes-brithdate/” width=”600″]

3) Once signed in, select “Password and Security” option on the left.

[zp src=”itunes-passwordsecurity.jpg” album=”blog/itunes-brithdate/” width=”600″]

4) Then use the drop downs to change your brith day, month, and year if needed and hit save.

[zp src=”itunes-birthdate.jpg” album=”blog/itunes-brithdate/” width=”600″]

Voila! Hopefully someone finds this useful.

Categories
Operating Systems Uncategorized

Error 1720 with Microsoft Windows Installer

I had noticed this error a few times when trying to remove programs. I specifically used this for Windows XP.

Install/Download this : http://uploadland.com/?d=4E0C98EC1

If that does not fix it, try and run a driver cleaner, like these :

http://uploadland.com/?d=4E0C98ED1
http://uploadland.com/?d=4E0C98EE1

All you need to do with the cleaners is remove the bad install, and you should be good. You can also try the latest installer here :

http://uploadland.com/?d=4E0C99521

I haven’t had to deal with this in a few months, so it’s a little fuzzy, but if anyone needs specifics, ask…i’ll try to replicate the issue and get more details.

Categories
Landesk Operating System Deployment

Make Service Tag the Computer Name in Landesk OSD

We use service tags as our computer reference, and how we join our computers to the domain. I needed to have Landesk automate this for me, so I wanted to have ot pluck the information from BIOS. This is what I added to the script.

When you’re creating/editing your deployment script you need to make sure the $MAC is in the SysPrep options -> Naming convention :

[zp src=”osd-sysprep.png” album=”blog/Landesk/” width=”600″]

Once the deployment script is created, right click advanced edit (This works for XP and Windows 7 scripts, be sure to use corresponding line though)

[zp src=”osd-servicetag.jpg” album=”blog/Landesk/” width=”600″]

You will then replace the line REMEXEC34 with the following :

Windows 7:
REMEXEC34=ldrun tokreplw C:\unattend.xml COMPUTERNAME=%Computer – System – Serial Number%

Windows XP:
REMEXEC34=ldrun tokreplw C:\sysprep\sysprep.inf COMPUTERNAME=%Computer – System – Serial Number%

Copy over the new script into your PXE, and you should be good to go. This will automatically put in the service tag into the computer name.

Categories
Landesk Operating System Deployment

Windows XP – Remove 30 second time with Landesk OSD

I kept running into an issue where Windows XP would add a 30 second boot time, and I disliked have to manually go in and change it after the computer was done imaging. So with Landesk OSD this is what I did to fix it in the script.

Browse out to: \\landeskcoreserver\ldmain\landesk\files
edit the file *.inf example file name : XPDeploy-ACCOUNTING.inf
add this line: Command6=”bootcfg /timeout 0″
you’ll need to change the Command6 number accordingly to how many commands precede already. I added mine to Command6

Categories
Operating System Deployment

Convert SATA IDE to AHCI aka – STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE

I recently formatted my IBM x220 into IDE on accident, and wanted to change it from IDE to AHCI. This was a simple procedure, noted by MS :

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

  • Exit all Windows-based programs.
  • Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
  • If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
  • Locate and then click one of the following registry subkeys:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV
  • In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
  • In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
  • On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

    • Now as you reboot, make sure to change it to AHCI in BIOS, and voila, all should be working.

    Categories
    Operating System Deployment

    WinPE automatic windows 7 activation

    We run Landesk, using the HII (Hardware Independent Imaging), which is run within a WinPE environment. I ran into issues where Windows 7 would not auto activate, which was causing issues, as some of the techs were forgetting to activate windows 7. We have a lot of internet restricted users, so once logged in as that use, they would not be able to get activated themselves. What I found was very simple.

    The fix :

    On your windows 7 image, browse out to : C:\Windows\Setup\Scripts\ and create a file called SetupComplete.cmd. In that file, you want to put in :

    cscript C:\Windows\System32\Slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
    cscript C:\Windows\System32\Slmgr.vbs /ato

    You will want to put your CD Key in the area where x’s are. Now sysprep, and roll out a new build!

    Categories
    Software

    ATI/AMD 6950 crossfire flicker at desktop and in games with 2 monitors

    I have 2 x XFX 6950 2GB (reference) cards water cooled, great temps, great scores with a little overclock from within the CCC. I noticed a pretty bad flicker on both monitors when playing youtube/flash videos. I also noticed it when I was gaming (bad company 2, starcraft 2, League of Legends, etc). I tried new drivers (11.4, 11.5 + associated hotfixes), and I tried old 10.x drivers as well, with different crossfire profiles. I also tried running with 1 monitor, 1 gpu, etc.

    The Fix :

    Disable ATi overdrive in the CCC panel with driver 11.5 I am running solid, no more flickering! I then just use MSI Afterburner for my OC. I wrote a quick article on how to open up overclocking on there as well

    http://vivithemage.com/2011/03/enabling-unofficial-overclocking-in-msi-afterburner-2-1/

    Categories
    drivers

    ACPI SMO8800 driver missing for Dell E6410/E6420/E6510/E6520 – unknown device ACPI SMO8800

    We received a bunch of new Dell E6420’s at work, and needed to get them prepped for drivers and our image deployment. We run a deployment process through Landesk OSD, with HII (Hardware Independent Imaging), which basically means that we have 1 image for multiple model computers.

    I installed our basic Windows 7 Pro x32 image on the new machine, and was going through drivers that needed to be installed, and ran into one tricky one. In Device Manager, right-click the device and click Properties. Under the details tab, choose Hardware ID from the drop box. You’ll see something like ACPI\SMO8800 (that’s what the unknown device was on mine). Google that hardware ID and you’ll find that it’s an accelerometer, a device that detects when your laptop may be falling and instantly stops the hard disk so it isn’t damaged on impact.

    I went through and extracted the drivers for it in Windows 7 x86/x64, Vista x86/x64, and XP x86/x64. The zip file is 2.79 MB (2,926,227 bytes). You can download the drivers here : LINK IS DEAD

    All you have to do is extract it (I use 7zip), and navigate your update drivers to your respective OS version and x86/x64 version. If you want a more detailed write up on how to do it, with pictures, let me know.

    Hopefully this helps :).

    Categories
    Software

    Enabling “Unofficial Overclocking” in MSI Afterburner 2.1

    I was looking for the proper way to enable overclocking in MSI Afterburner 2.1, and found a guide for an old version, but figured out how to do it in 2.1.

    go to where your MSI Afterburner is installed, for me/default it’s :

    C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI Afterburner
    open MSIAfterburner.cfg with wordpad or notepad
    There are 2 lines we need to add to :

    under the line [ATIADLHAL]
    We need to replace UnofficialOverclockingEULA = and UnofficialOverclockingMode = 0 with :

    UnofficialOverclockingEULA = I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it
    UnofficialOverclockingMode = 1

    Save it, and you are good to go!

    This is what it looks like afterwards … OC options open right up.

    [zp src=”msi.jpg” album=”blog/etc” width=”500″]

    Categories
    Operating Systems Printers

    0x00000006 error (cannot connect to server) when trying to add printers

    Scenario :

    Dell E6410 with windows 7 PRO trying to add printer(s) – HP, from server xyz, returns error : Cannot Connect To Printer, when you expand you receive this code : 0x00000006

    [zp src=”printerror.jpg” album=”blog/etc” width=”500″]

    What I tried :

    Removing everything related to the printer in registry (F3 is your friend)
    Adding other printers from other print server (this worked)
    Re-adding computer to domain (was listed, but thought i’d try)

    Rebooted after each attempt as well.

    What finally worked :

    Going to :
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print\Providers\Client Side Rendering Print Provider\Servers
    and removing anything related to the xyz server, and it worked, did not even have to reboot. Connected, and started downloading drivers as it is supposed to.

    Hopefully this helps!