Document the "in the box" drivers that come with Windows...

This script can be used against a running Windows installation to generate such “in the box” driver information.

 

http://blogs.technet.com/deploymentguys/archive/2010/02/20/updated-driver-inf-information-script.aspx

 

 

Configuration Manager 2007 SuperFlows

The SuperFlow interactive content model provides a structured and interactive interface for viewing documentation. Each SuperFlow includes comprehensive information about a specific Configuration Manager 2007 dataflow, workflow, or process. Depending on the focus of the SuperFlow, you will find overview information, steps that include detailed information, procedures, sample log entries, best practices, real-world scenarios, troubleshooting information, security information, animations, or other information. Each SuperFlow also includes links to relevant resources, such as Web sites or local files that are copied to your computer when you install the SuperFlow.

 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff385001.aspx

 

How to replace default Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Recovery Environment in Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset

If you want to replace the default Windows Recovery Environment (RE) with a Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset version 6.5 (new version of Winternals ERD Commander).

 

http://bink.nu/news/how-to-replace-default-windows-7-server-2008-r2-recovery-environment-in-diagnostic-and-recovery-toolset.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+binkdotnu+%28Bink.nu%29

 

Windows XP/Vista with IE6,7,8 VHD files for IE test

If you need a VHD file for test….

Overview

This download page contains different VPC images, depending on what you want to test.

 

·         IE6-XPSP3.exe contains a Windows XP SP3 with IE6 VHD file. Expires April 1, 2010

·         IE7-XPSP3.exe contains a Windows XP SP3 with IE7 VHD file. Expires April 1, 2010

·         IE8-XPSP3.exe contains a Windows XP SP3 with IE8 VHD file. Expires April 1, 2010

·         IE7-VIS1.exe+IE7-VIS2.rar+IE7-VIS3.rar contain a Vista Image with IE7 VHD file. Expires 120 days after first run.

·         IE8-VIS1.exe+IE8-VIS2.rar+IE8-VIS3.rar+IE8-VIS4.rar contain a Vista Image with IE8 VHD file. Expires 120 days after first run.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=21eabb90-958f-4b64-b5f1-73d0a413c8ef&displaylang=en

 

Customizing MSI packages with ORCA

If you want to customize a MSI file…

 

http://www.frickelsoft.net/blog/?p=240

 

 

Running Windows 7 policies in a Windows 2003 domain.

A nice post about Group Policy for Windows 7 in a Windows 2003 domain...

 

http://blogs.technet.com/grouppolicy/archive/2010/01/19/tales-from-the-community-how-do-i-deploy-windows-7-policy-settings.aspx

 

 

Insider's Guide to Troubleshooting Client Content Download in Configuration Manager 2007

A nice blogg about trubleshooting the client download in SCCM 2007.

 

http://blogs.technet.com/configmgrteam/archive/2010/01/14/troubleshooting-client-content-download-in-configuration-manager-2007.aspx

 

Direct Access

How Microsoft IT deployed DirectAccess to Provide Secure Access to Corporate Resources from Anywhere

http://www.microsoft.com/events/podcasts/default.aspx?seriesID=Series-c659d104-8537-410f-9223-fcc930abb4a4.xml&pageId=x4823&source=Microsoft-Podcasts-about-Microsoft-IT-Showcase:-How-Microsoft-Does-IT

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 supports deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.

 

Download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3bd8561f-77ac-4400-a0c1-fe871c461a89&displayLang=en

 

Configure Windows System Assessment Tests Scores (WinSAT)

If you deploy new machines with identical hardware, you can speed up the installation process by running WinSAT.exe –prepop before sysprep.

 

Read more...

 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744241(WS.10).aspx

 

 

Deploying the 2007 Office system by using System Center Configuration Manager 2007

http://blogs.technet.com/office_resource_kit/archive/2009/01/16/deploying-the-2007-office-system-by-using-system-center-configuration-manager.aspx

 

Group Policy Settings References for Windows and Windows Server

These spreadsheets list the policy settings for computer and user configurations included in the Administrative template files delivered with the Windows operating systems specified. You can configure these policy settings when you edit Group Policy objects (GPOs).

 

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=131389

 

 

 

To set up a fixed port for WMI

To set up a fixed port for WMI

1.     At the command prompt, type winmgmt -standalonehost

2.     Stop the WMI service by typing the command net stop "Windows Management Instrumentation"

3.     Restart the WMI service again in a new service host by typing net start "Windows Management Instrumentation"

4.     Establish a new port number for the WMI service by typing netsh firewall add portopening port=24158 name=WMIFixedPort

 

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219447(VS.85).aspx

 

 

Locking Down Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services

A nice post about locking down Terminal Service…

 

http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Locking-Down-Windows-Server-2008-Terminal-Services.html

Centralized Logging in Windows

Use Event Viewer on your centralized log computer…

http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Centralized-Auditing-here-FREE.html

Determining FSMO Role Holders

How can I determine who are the current FSMO Roles holders in my domain/forest?

http://www.petri.co.il/determining_fsmo_role_holders.htm

Windows XP to Windows 7 Migration

If you going to migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7, read this guide.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee150430.aspx

Support for Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008 is not included in Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 Update 1

Support for Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008 is not included in Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2008 Update 1

Troubleshooting Configuration Manager 2007

Troubleshooting Configuration Manager 2007

The System Center Team Blog : Configuration Manager OEM Deployment Packs

Here is a summary of each of the currently released versions of Configuration Manager OEM Deployment Packs, with a link to their downloads.

Configuration Manager OEM Deployment Packs

Good to know about the Network Access Account in SCCM 2007

The Network Access account is never used as the security context for running programs, installing software updates, or running task sequences, only for accessing resources on the network.

Required rights and permissions
This account should have the minimum appropriate permissions on the software distribution or operating system deployment content it needs to access. The account must have Access this computer from the network on the distribution point or other server that holds the package content.

The program is always run in the context specified by administrator in the program properties. The Network Access account is never used to run the program, even if it was used to access the distribution point shared folder.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680398.aspx

Client communication SCCM 2007

To determine if the client is communicating properly in the SMS infrastructure:

Talking to management point
%WINDIR%\System32\CCM\Logs\LocationServices.log

Downloading policies
%WINDIR%\System32\CCM\Logs\DataTransfer.log

Policy status
%WINDIR%\System32\CCM\Logs\Policy*.log

Error Adding the Active Directory Certificate Services Role for Windows Server 2008

When you install the CA role on a 2008 box you get error:

Provider could not perform the action since the context was acquired as silent. 0x80090022 (-2146893790)

Fix 1:
Select the Use Strong Private Key Protection Features Provided By The CSP (This May Require Administrator Interaction Every Time The Private Key Is Accessed By The CA) check box

Fix 2:
Use Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider v1.0 instead of the default.

How to Setup ConfigMgr 2007 on Windows Server 2008

A nice article about SCCM Setup on 2008 server

http://blogs.technet.com/deploymentguys/archive/2008/08/07/how-to-setup-configmgr-2007-on-windows-server-2008.aspx

A nice post about the Software Updates Client Agent

Examining some common problems for the Software Updates Client Agent

http://blogs.technet.com/configurationmgr/archive/2009/05/27/examining-some-common-problems-for-the-software-updates-client-agent.aspx