Perl Script To Identify If Office 2003 SP3 Is Installed

Issue:
Need to identify which machines have Office 2003 SP3 installed.

Quick: Microsoft Notes indicate files that have changed. Check size of one of the updated files.

Visual/Learning:
Pick one of the updated files to use an indicator that SP3 is loaded. Search for the file to see where it is located on one of the workstations.

The following line of Perl code executes the dos dir command to list one of the files updated by SP3. If I know what the new file size should be, I can do a comparison to check for the service pack. In this case the file size should be 103,256 bytes for the SP3 version of the MCPS.DLL file.

my @results = ( `dir \\\\$workstation\\"c\$\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\OFFICE11\\MCPS.DLL"` );

Download Software To A Safe Area

Issue:
You are looking for a free program to do a task, like convert a sound file, but you want to avoid downloading some nasty malware in the process.

Quick/Visual/Learning:
http://sandboxie.com/ Get a free program here that will allow you to capture and download information into a temporary sandbox. When you are done you close the sandbox and nothing gets written to your hard drive or registry. A pay version of the program allows you to do some extra stuff like automatically launch a sandbox each time you open a browser.

Cisco - Loading New IOS

Issue: You need to update the IOS on your Cisco Router or Switch

Quick: copy tftp: flash:
Visual/Learning:
It is very easy to do but you need to have a tftp server running to copy the files. You can run it on a workstation or laptop. Here are some links to download free tftp servers that you can get online:
http://tftpd32.jounin.net/tftpd32_download.html
http://www.solarwinds.com/products/freetools/free_tftp_server.aspx

You just need one of these.
I used the tftpd32 program. Just download the file and run it. Launch the install application from the start menu and see something like this:

Run the copy command as shown to copy the file from the tftp server to the cisco device:

router#copy tftp: flash:
Address or name of remote host []? X.X.X.X --> Ip address where the tftp server is and the file is stored
Source filename []? xxxxxx.bin ----> IOS file name (include the extension)
Destination filename [xxxxx.bin]? Just press Enter
Get prompt to Erase flash before copying? [confirm] Just press Enter to confirm.
That will access the TFTP server and start copying the file on to the flash of the router. You will see the router working on the copy.

Once the file is copied, check with a "show flash" that the file is properly stored.
router#show flash
router#config t
router(config)#boot-start-marker
router(config)#boot system flash:xxxxxx.bin -----> the IOS file name.
router(config)#boot-end-marker
router(config)#end
router#wr mem
router#reload
confirm? Yes

You will lose your telnet session at this point and it will take several minutes before you can ping and connect to the router again.

After the reload is done, check if the IOS upgrade has been succesfully done, by running a "show version" and check that the new file is loaded.

Windows MMC Customization

Issue:
Create a custom Microsfot Management Console with all of your favorite tools or customize one with restricted function for task delegation.

Quick/Visual/Learning:
Here is a link to Step-By-Step Guide

Custom consoles are saved as .msc files that can be shared via email, public file folder, or even through a policy.

Basically:
run mmc
Add your snapins

You can customize access with:
-multiple windows
-Extensions Tab allows you to remove functions
-Create Console Taskpads (with limited function)
--Right click on item in tree and select "New Taskpad"
---Wizard steps through creation of Taskpad

Removing the first Exchange Server 2003

Issue:
Avoiding problems when removing an Exchange server.

Quick:
Move system folders like (calendar free/busy information)
Rehome the Organizational Forms Folder
Move Public Folders
Move Offline Address list function
Re-Home RUS
Move Routing Group Master function
Move any other connectors
Move Mailboxes
Wait for some time to verify all is well
Uninstall Exchange using Installation Wizard

Visual/Learning:
Links to detailed information
Microsoft KB
MsExchange.Org Tutorial

Add Word Template

Issue:
Need to add a Word Template file.

Quick/Visual/Learning:
Found the answer here

After the adding the file as indicated below you should see the template under File - New - General Tab

---text from link---
Open Word and click Tools - Templates and Add-Ins. The Template and Add-Ins dialog box opens.

1. Click the Attach button button and the Attach Template dialog box opens.
   
2. Note the directory by clicking the down-arrow next to the Look-in box. Mine was c:\Documents and Settings\Ron\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates.
   (Of course clearly where you expected to find it, right?)
   
3. Open Explorer and find this directory.
   (Note: If you don't see it, don't panic. Click Tools - Folder Options in the Explorer menu bar, then click the View tab and click the radio button next to Show hidden files and folders.)
   
4. Copy your template (.dot) file into this directory.
   
5. Go back to Word and access the Templates and Add-Ins dialog box again. Click Attach and you should see your new template file. Click it to select it and click Open.
   
6. Click OK and you should be in business.
   ---end text from link---
   

Free Fax Testing

Issue:
Need to send a test fax.


Quick/Visual/Learning:
Use this link
http://www.interpage.net/sub-wwwfax.html

Return Fax Test

Telephone Color Code 25 Pair

Issue:
Tracing cables to punch blocks what is the color code?


Quick:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25-pair_color_code


Visual:
Image from the above link