Windows 8.1 Update

Just have a time to refresh my laptop, bought new SSD, and reinstall with Windows 8.1 again. Further than that, update to the latest 8.1 update (KB 2919355). Now, my start menu slightly changed; it has the power button beside my photo!


Besides, I got more options when right click on the Windows Tile.


I only notice the obvious two of these, for more, basically you can refer to this -->  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-my/windows-8/whats-new

SCSM Upcoming fixes in the April UR2

http://blogs.technet.com/b/servicemanager/archive/2014/04/18/upcoming-fixes-in-the-april-ur2.aspx

Console fixes:

1.     For users who have both SMTP and SIP endpoints, Service Manager always picks up the Lync “sip” endpoint, even when emailing users from the console.

2.     After selecting Service Requests with Service Level Warning, an error message stating a “FullAdapter” exception occurs about one hour later.

3.     After selecting the Assigned to me view, an error message stating a “FullAdapter” exception occurs about one hour later.

4.     Service Manager console maximized window fixes:

a.     When maximized, the console is slow or unresponsive and has up to 30% CPU utilization.

b.     Context menus in the console don’t render where expected — instead, they appear at the top-right corner of the window.

c.     Work item scroll bars in the preview pane do not render properly when running in full screen mode. When they do appear, they are inactive and cannot be used.

d.     Forms and wizards don’t always render properly and only the left navigation pane renders with the right area blank.

e.     When editing or creating request offerings, user prompts do not render properly.

5.     Concurrent PowerShell workflows fail to run, although they show as successful in the console.

6.     An error appears in the console when you try to open an attachment in a work item form that was already opened.

7.     The attachment and its associated details of the release record cannot be retrieved after it is marked as Closed.

8.     The request offering form takes a long time to render when you create service requests from request offerings.

9.     Console crashes when attempting to use an SR Template with an assigned analyst..

10.   Creating a service request can cause a NullReferenceException error and crashes the console.

11.   SM console shows a generic SQL exception instead of the detailed Data Collision exception when running in a non-English environment.

Platform fixes:

1.     When grooming of the Database the p_DataPurging stored procedure does not complete and SQL registers an error with event ID 8623 stating that the query processor ran out of internal resources and could not produce a query plan

2.     Adding multiple RegEx's to a group definition causes a SQL error when you add or execute the group.

3.     The Configuration Manager connector does not handle updates to DeviceHasSoftwareItemInstalled correctly. This causes a divergence in the data that is synchronized between the Service Manager and Configuration Manager databases.

4.     MPImporter does not import management packs from Operations Manager if Service Manager has any management packs from a previous version already present.

Group Policy fine tuning (IE10 & IE11)

Since nowadays more and more Windows 8 or 8.1 are deployed into organizations, while the group policy setting is different from previous which is no longer with Internet Explorer Maintenance. However, few common settings like Homepage URL or favorites URL can be achieve via the Group Policy Preference Setting. 

Set Home Page:-

After putting home page address, press “F6” to apply the change. You will notice the red dot line go green in colour.

User configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Internet Settings > New > IE 10

 Windows 8 with IE11 open homepage as GPO edited

Set Favour URL:-
User configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Shortcuts

Add more shortcuts will have more Favorites link

Managing / troubleshooting Windows Cluster with command (PowerShell Command)

During old days with Windows Server 2003, troubleshooting with Windows Cluster more are with the command line and script of cluster.exe.

Nowadays with the enhancement towards Windows 2008 or Windows 2012, the troubleshooting of Windows Cluster more rely on user interface.

However, if come across the cluster failover manager UI couldn't solve the problem, then you still can consider back to command line follow the following link. Also, the diagram below will give you the idea of the PowerShell command of cluster.exe.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc739895(v=ws.10).aspx

Reference URL of the diagram: http://blogs.technet.com/b/josebda/archive/2010/09/25/mapping-cluster-exe-commands-to-windows-powershell-cmdlets-for-failover-clusters-extended-edition.aspx

Service Manager | Incident Resolution Satisfaction Survey

After resolved a ticket, usually we might want to send a survey to user so that they can feedback how's the IT support handle the case. In this case, the survey is important for the evaluation.

In Service Manager 2012, you may configure the survey easily follow the article from Travis Wright.
http://blogs.technet.com/b/servicemanager/archive/2009/12/08/incident-resolution-satisfaction-surveys-on-sharepoint.aspx

SCCM | Update speed of the report on application being installed and uninstalled

Sometimes, wonder how fast is the update speed of the SCCM report being updated if a application is installed into the machine. 

Hence, did a test on it.

Deploying:

The report showing the 7-zip is installed.

Now, we do the un-installation of the 7-zip

It is removed.

And the report updated correctly after 20 minutes even after setting the interval to 1 minute

Good thing is the report updated and it works perfectly.