Batch - Consistent Operating Environment

Consistent Operating Environment (COE), does anyone really understand what is this means ?

To my understanding, COE means that all computers must be running on a same OS, same applications/programs, same interface and same settings/configurations.

It is very hard achieve and yet simple to implement, the most troublesome thing is to make it compatible with all kind of models. Put it simple (using HP's model series and ranges), a single image to cater for almost all types of models yet the ability to install it's own drivers, applications etc. and make it function/working.

Luckily HP (Hewlett-Packard) does have a tools to help us in this tasks, but drawback would be custom scripting/batch file(s) have to be created & tested to ensure the workability of it.

It is called the SSM (Softpaq System Manager), what this tools does is to ensure the reliability of the downloaded drivers and the ability to differentiate the models being install and subsequently install the relevant drivers for the system.

I'm in the midst of compiling a "Universal Master Image" capable of installing the drivers base on the models detected and of course the customised settings required for the specific corporate environment.

Although I can't disclose much details of it, but I will post the scripts and hopefully might be usefull to someone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - S View Cover Custom Wallpaper

I've been trying to customised the S View wallpaper ever since I got it but to my surprise it doesn't allow me ???

What Samsung are thinking ?!!??

Nevertheless I've been using it without any customization ever since not until recently when Samsung decided it's about time to release "Lollipop" version for it's Note 3 series.

Well, I'm surprise to receive a notification prompting for an upgrade and as usual proceeded the upgrade when the time permits.

After the upgrade and still to my dismay the S View Cover still doesn't have such function available as default to customised the wallpaper.

Frustrated and furious, I start "googling" and found a very interesting website and decided to give it a go.....

To my joyous life, I was now able to customised the S View Cover wallpaper with my preferred photos.... Hurray !!!

As such, it will be selfish not to share with everyone and many thanks to the website author who make it all possible for me.... Bravo !!!

S View Cover Custom Wallpaper

Windows 7 - Enable USB Storage

If you ever encounter where your USB flash drive are suddenly inaccessible, this maybe due to conflicted GPO.

It's simple and easy to enable back the access :-

1. Go to START --> Run.

2. Type --> gpedit.msc.

3. Browse to --> Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> System --> Removable Storage Access.

4. Search for "Removable Disks: Deny execute access" policy = Disabled.

5. "Removable Disks: Deny read access" policy = Disabled.

6. "Removable Disks: Deny write access" policy = Disabled.

7. "All Removable Storage classes: Deny all access" policy = Disabled.

8. Once done, close the policy editor then run command prompt (cmd).

9. Type --> gpupdate /force.

10. Now plugin back the USB flash drive and it should be all working.

Windows XP - Enable Classic Logon Screen

Today encountered a user where she have created a new user account for her computer and it ended up that her own "Administrator" account cannot be selected at the logon screen.

1. A workaround is to restart the computer in "Safe Mode" by pressing "F8" key repeatedly after the POST screen to invoke the "Safe Mode Menu".

2. Now just select "Safe Mode" option and let it boot.

3. At the desktop it will prompt you a message... just click "Yes" button to continue.

4. Go to START --> Control Panel --> User Accounts.

5. Select "Change the way users log on or off" option.

6. Un-check both the option "Use the Welcome screen" checkbox and "Fast User Switching" checkbox option.

7. Next is of course to apply the changes and then restart the computer and let it boot normally.

8. Now the classic logon screen should be displayed, you have to manually type-in the "Administrator" username and password (if any) to continue logon back to your account.

MS-DOS - Batch File Color Codes

Syntax : COLOR [Background] [Foreground]

Colour attributes are specified by 2 of the following digits, each digit can be any value as below :-

0 = Black
8 = Gray

1 = Blue
9 = Light Blue

2 = Green
A = Light Green

3 = Aqua
B = Light Aqua

4 = Red
C = Light Red

5 = Purple
D = Light Purple

6 = Yellow
E = Light Yellow

7 = White
F = Bright White

Example : COLOR 0B

* A black background colour with Light Aqua text.

Exchange Server 2013 - Missing POP3 Manager

As everyone know that Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 no longer comes with the "POP3 Manager" like those in Exchange 2003.

The missing features have caused some companies to purchase 3rd party utility in order for it work with local hosting provider.

This have caused me some headaches as there's tons of utilities available out there and I'm not sure which works the best.

I do find the following programs to be best :-

1. POPCon.

2. QSS Exchange Connector.

Both programs work as its designed to be, lightweight, small and use less resources. Although POPCon does provide some value-added features such as anti-spam and anti-virus, I feel it will be an overkill since the Exchange server already have it's own anti-virus & anti-spam programs.

So I decided to for the QSS Exchange Connector, since it's faster to load and uses less resources. It also give me some sort of control over the throttling bandwidth.

VPN - Protocols and Ports Used

Just for my references, VPN protocols and ports used.

1. PPTP = TCP 1723

2. IPSec\L2TP = UDP 1701, 500, 4500

3. OpenVPN = UDP 4300