TIPS & TRICKS: Disappearing Gridlines On Some Cells in Excel

There's an Excel file that is shared in my office. I know people cut and paste cells/rows of information to move elsewhere. I often find that this type of modification makes some cells look like they have lost their gridlines. There's several reasons why this might occur:

• The gridlines are turned off. (Fix: View > Recheck box for gridlines).

• The gridlines are colored over, usually with white. (Fix: right-click on cell > Format Cells > Fill tab > Select No Color, or select white and then reselect no color)

• The borders are colored white. (Fix: right-click on cell > Format Cells > Border tab > change color to Automatic)

• The gridlines have been colored white. (Fix: click on File > Options > Advanced > Display options for this worksheet > change Gridline color to black)

Found these reasons from this handy page: 

http://mcstech.net/blog/index.cfm/2011/12/29/Disappearing-Excel-Gridlines

My particular fix came from the second reason. I've tried it on Excel 2010 and Excel 2013. 

TIPS & TRICKS: Direct Download Locations of Full Versions of Software

I often come across situations where I need to download a full installer of some piece of software without having to jump through hoops. Skype is a prime example. Often times, I want to download the latest installer without having to sign into any particular Skype account, except that Skype wants me to sign-in to my Skype account before they allow me to download. Usually, I'm trying to reinstall the software without having to provide any credentials, or I'm trying to update an OS image.

Fortunately, I found the link to download Skype for Windows version:

http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-windows/

Here's Skype for Mac:

http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-mac/

Note: It seems that the links above will base the download on what platform you are downloading from. For example, if you are downloading from a Windows machine, both the Windows link & the Mac link above will download an .exe file.


Another piece of software I frequently need is Adobe Flash. In this case, I generally need a full version rather than the stub you get when you go through the visible links on the main Adobe site. Here's the Adobe Flash download link:

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html


Will add more as I find them.

2014_02_18 Update: Here's the Google Chrome Full Offline Installer that will install Chrome for all users on Windows:

http://www.google.com/chrome/eula.html?system=true&standalone=1

Didn't see one for Mac.

2014_10_04 Update: Here's the free Mac Sophos Anti-Virus installer:

http://downloads.sophos.com/home-edition/savosx_90_he.zip

TIPS & TRICKS: Windows Logon Types

As a sysadmin, I spend some time looking at logs. To someone who doesn't look at logs, the amount and type of information provided by logs can look like a foreign language. It helps me to have more information, a running legend in my head so to speak, about logs I sift through.

Windows keeps track of who logs into the computer, but I found out that it also keeps track of how a user logs on (or off). There are, at least, 9 different methods to logging into a computer:

• Logon Type 2 - Interactive
• Logon Type 3 - Network
• Logon Type 4 - Batch (or scheduled tasks)
• Logon Type 5 - Service
• Logon Type 7 - Unlock 
• Logon Type 8 - NetworkCleartext
• Logon Type 9 - NewCredentials (or RunAs...)
• Logon Type 10 - RemoteInteractive (RDP, TS)
• Logon Type 11 - CachedInteractive

Given the date of the article (first link below) where this information originated for me, I'm betting that there are more types now for more granular logging.

Looking at logs help to troubleshoot problems, but it also helps to keep an eye out for malicious activity. Hopefully, understanding the different Windows Logon Types will help me keep the environments I manage that much more secure too. 

For additional information on the above Logon Types, see this site: 

http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles-tutorials/misc_network_security/Logon-Types.html

Here's a more recent article on the different logon types:

http://www.eventtracker.com/newsletters/following-a-users-logon-tracks-throughout-the-windows-domain/

Though I think the title of the article is misleading, there's some useful information on different logon/logoff events. 

TIPS & TRICKS: Adobe Flash Full Offline Download Location

When you go to Adobe's main site and search for the latest Flash installer, you're given a stub in the download, which goes out to grab the rest of the installer when it's launched. Sometimes this doesn't work, especially when the user account currently used does not have administrative rights.

Here's the site to download the full offline version of the installers for IE and all other browsers:

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

RANT: Google Chrome Enterprise Installer Desktop Shortcut

Up to this point, I've found Google Chrome to be a great browser. But, I just installed the Enterprise version of Chrome to give the application to all users. To my chagrin, I found that it also forces a shortcut on the desktop and taskbar for all new users. There doesn't seem to be a way to stop those shortcuts from getting created for all new users of the computer. Hey Google, stop trying to be like Microsoft pushing IE down our throats. Not everyone wants to have Google Chrome shortcuts plastered every where. 

Perhaps I can put together a script that deletes these annoying shortcuts...

TIPS & TRICKS: Slow Wake for MacBook Pro

Apparently, Apple notebooks have a standby mode that is a deeper sleep than the standard sleep that happens when you first close the lid. This standby mode kicks in after an hour of normal sleep by default to help save battery power. Good feature to really help save battery drain while the computer is sleeping. 

However, there is a draw back. It takes about 10 to 15 seconds after the lid is open before a password can be entered. If I'm a hurry, 10 to 15 seconds seems like an eternity. 

Fortunately, there's a way to adjust this behavior. Here's the command to use in terminal:

sudo pmset -a standbydelay 86400




The 86400 is the number seconds in 24 hours. This can be adjusted to what ever works for you. To check the setting:

pmset -g

See the following blog for additional information:

http://www.ewal.net/2012/09/09/slow-wake-for-macbook-pro-retina/

Hope this helps you. 

TIPS & TRICKS: Microsoft Office Activation

In the office we use Volume Licensed installations of Microsoft Office. Each installation "phones home" every so often to extend the activation period. When Office "phones home" it talks to a KMS (Key Management Services) server, which grants additional time when it's a valid installation.

A second way to activate Microsoft Office is through a MAK (Multiple Activation Key), which has a predefined number of activations. This method is for machines that are not able to talk to a KMS server within a specified period of time.

Finally, there are retail versions that have unique codes for each installation or a unique code for a small number of installations within a household, usually 3 installations.

My problem was how to see which one of the above methods a particular installation is using, since the information in the Help menu does not give that information. Fortunately, there is a command line tool that will give that information:

cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus

This command needs to be run inside the Officex, where x is the number that corresponds with your version of Microsoft Office (i.e. Office14 for Microsoft Office 2010). The Officex folder is found in Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office or Program Files\Microsoft Office depending if you're running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Office.

In addition, there's a command to tell Office to activate or renew remaining grace period:

cscript ospp.vbs /act

Side note: For installations of Microsoft Office away from your corporate environment, you'll likely need some sort of secured connection (i.e. VPN) back to the office to use the activation/renewal command.

Printing to Adobe PDF in Firefox

Synopsis: User tries to take a webpage in Firefox 21.0 and convert it to a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat X, version 10.1.7. Going up to File > Print and selecting Adobe PDF works fine. The problem occurs after the print dialog box comes up, the Adobe PDF printer is chosen and the print button is clicked. Sometimes you get the window to choose the location to save the resulting file. But, the end result is a freeze of the Printing progress bar, which leads only to force quitting Firefox:

Sometimes after force quitting Firefox, this Creating Adobe PDF window comes up on the screen and just sits there:

Only thing I can do with this window is close it out without any further incident. 

Troubleshooting steps: 

• Reloaded Firefox
• Reloaded Adobe Acrobat
• Ran Firefox in Safe Mode
• Attempted to close out problematic processes just before printing
• Tested with different Windows users profiles on the same machine

all without success. The problem could be reproduced with Microsoft XPS virtual printer as well. Found a forum post that explained the problem in a bit more detail:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/937032

The article references Firefox 15 with a link to another forum post about even older versions of Firefox. But, the symptoms are pretty much identical. Basically, Firefox has trouble handling calls to Windows File common dialog, which should be pretty routine. Of course, this problem doesn't occur in IE or Chrome. Hopefully, I'll have some updates at some point down the road (i.e. Firefox fixed the problem with an update). For now, I have suggested to the user to try a non-Adobe PDF creator in the form of a Firefox plug-in or try to use a different browser if he anticipates he needs to create a PDF from a webpage. 

TIPS & TRICKS: Make Sure 'Display Name' Is Populated

Learned something new today about Exchange. Apparently, the Display Name field holds much more significance than I originally thought. When searching for users to create a new profile (i.e. hitting Check Name) in Outlook setup, it actually relies on the Display Name field to find the appropriate user in the Global Address List. I used to think that giving it the correct username was enough.

In the future, I will make sure to have Display Name filled out appropriately and not leave it blank.

TIPS & TRICKS: Enterprise-Level Networking

I deal, mostly, with consumer level equipment for helping home and small-office users get connected. Most situations don't call for spending more money than consumer-level hardware costs to get together a suitable networking situation.

However, even home and small-office users, sometimes have very specific situations that require some higher quality equipment that provide specific functionality. Case in point, I once tried to help someone setup a wireless network in a 2500+ square foot home. I had recommended using Apple equipment, since they were mostly a Mac household and the Airport-branded equipment provided most of what they need. My lesson learned from this project was that the Airport Extreme can only accept one additional Airport Express as an extender to the wireless network. Most of the house had coverage after I put in the Airport Extreme and couple of Airport Express Base Stations. The one place that lacked good coverage was the pool house. Without getting into the specifics, I finally figured out a second Airport Express setup as an extender off another Airport Express that was already acting as an extender (i.e. Airport Extreme > Airport Express > Airport Express), really degrades the bandwidth down to even below optimum dial-up speeds.

Moral of the story, the right tools always gets the job done better. To that end, I recently got a recommendation from the This Week in Enterprise Tech podcast about this company that does some good work with equipment that might have helped in my project I just mentioned. It's called MikroTik (http://mikrotik.com/). Next time I need something more than consumer-level gear, I'll take a look at these guys.

TIPS & TRICKS: Software Recommendations

My list of software to try to make my own life more efficient. Reminder: Automate repetitive tasks. Don't get too caught up in the automation itself.


OS X:

• CheatSheet - Free app that summarizes the keyboard shortcuts available for the current application. http://www.cheatsheetapp.com/CheatSheet/

iOS:

• Drafts - Paid note taking app heard about on Mac Power Users podcast. Useful for starting email messages, text messages, reminders, etc. http://agiletortoise.com/drafts/

TIPS & TRICKS: Improve the Security of a New Computer

Often, I field questions about how to protect a computer, especially when it's brand new. I've often given customized advice to people, depending on their current environment. But, I get the questions enough that I considered composing a document that outlines this information.

Fortunately, I have (and, so have you) paid for someone else to compose this document for us:

http://www.us-cert.gov/security-publications/ten-ways-improve-security-new-computer

This federal government site has a wealth of information, including this well-written document, on how to secure your computer from the bad guys. There's lots of ways to protect your new computer from getting compromised, but this document provides a great baseline for everyone to follow.

Besides the steps outlined in this document, I would also add that setting up a new machine is a perfect time to also setup a solid backup solution and consider encrypting the hard drive in your computer, especially if it's a notebook that gets lots of miles.

TIPS & TRICKS: Browser and Other Security Tests

With all the recent 0-day exploits and other vulnerabilities making news, I thought it would be helpful to have some resources to test out your environment.

First, browser security checks:

• http://www.isjavaexploitable.com
• https://browsercheck.qualys.com

Next, router and computer security checks:

•  Use ShieldsUP! and the Instant UPnP Exposure Test at this site: https://www.grc.com/

As always, security is like an onion. A well secured computing environment will have lots of layers. These tools are another layer of protection.

TIPS & TRICKS: Viewing Hidden Files in OS X

Initially, I wanted to find a way to transfer music off an old iPod that hadn't been synced to anything for a long time. I have done this many times with a Windows machine and even told people that it's possible to do it on a Mac (OS X). However, I've never actually done it myself.

The basic process is the same on OS X as it is on Windows. Use the OS explorer window to navigate the iPod after making sure that hidden files are visible. On OS X, this is the secret sauce:

• Launch Terminal, located at /Applications/Utilities.
• Type or copy/paste the following two commands into the Terminal window, next to the Terminal prompt. Press the return or enter key after you enter each line.
• defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
• killall Finder
• If you ever want to make the hidden folders disappear again, just run the code again, but change TRUE to FALSE.

Making hidden files visible in the operating system can be useful for other troubleshooting and modification steps. 

A follow-up tip to this one is how to make a hidden folder into a non-hidden folder once it's made visible and to recursively make all subfolders unhidden:

• Using the same terminal window, drag the folder or file into the terminal window. This will put the correct path to the file/folder that needs to be changed to unhidden. 
• Using the arrows on the keyboard, backspace to the beginning of the path and type in:
• chflags -R nohidden
• This should give a command that looks something like:
• chflags -R nohidden /Users/username/Desktop/FolderName
• Follow-up the successful command with a:
• killall Finder

TIPS & TRICKS: AppleCare Support Page

Been administering Macs for quite some time. In the past, to view all the machines I manage under one Apple ID I used this page:

http://www.apple.com/support/applecare/view

However, today I learned about a tool I had not encountered before:

http://supportprofile.apple.com

This page is different than the page I've used in the past. It also seems to give me more information than than the old page and more ways to manage the information.

One important note to mention is these two sites are two completely different sites. Information on one site does not necessarily show up on the other as I found out in attempting to register a custom MacBook Air with Auto-Enrolled AppleCare that was purchased from an Apple Authorized Reseller. I had to get on the phone with AppleCare Agreement Administration in order to address this disparity. I assume Apple is in a transition between these two sites. Until they get past the transition, I would recommend making sure that the information for all your machines show up in both areas.

Hope this helps you. Happy computing.

TIPS & TRICKS: Free E-Books for Windows Administrators

There's a lot of free information out there. I always figured if I really wanted to learn something, I didn't necessarily need to go to school for it. Don't get me wrong, the structure of school is something that I require to streamline my learning. However, the information can, often times, be found for free in our information age. As a systems administrator, part of my job is to keep learning and staying abreast of the latest technology. As a frugal individual, I strive to find the free stuff that works for me (not all free stuff holds value for me). I did come across this site that has free e-books on topics that are relevant to my role as a systems administrator:

http://4sysops.com/archives/free-e-books-for-windows-administrators/

Hope this helps you too in the quest for free, yet valuable information...