‘Software’ Articles
Written by JMarsden92 on 23 June 2010
When a person purchases an operating system they would expect to have some sort of technical support options available to them. If you purchase a computer with an operating system, then you normally get support through the computer manufacturer. Recently I purchased Small Business Server 2008 for a client. This is not a cheap software package. Installation went very smooth incredibly enough. After rebooting a few times, and allowing some software updates to go in I found that the computer started giving me the message that “Bootmgr is missing.” Well, being the type of person that doesn’t want to talk to some foreigner about a problem I started searching the web to see if others had the same issue. I found that there were numerous other accounts of this. I tried all the solutions given, and nothing worked. Currently the server only boots if there is some sort of cd / dvd in the drive. During boot I just don’t hit anything to boot to the cd / dvd. I just let it go, and it boots up to a working environment. But this isn’t the way the software was meant to work.
I next proceeded to look through the Microsoft website for contact phone numbers to reach technical support. Much like the infamous “Phone Circles” that we all get caught in I found their website almost identical to this. I ended up Googling to find their phone number. I got a rep on the phone, and explained my problem. He came back on the phone, and proceeded to tell me that “Small Business Server 2008 retail comes with no FREE support options.” He then told me that it would cost @$500 to have the problem resolved. This was on a Saturday. He said that I could call in on Monday, and get a cheaper rate. I asked him what he thought was cheaper, and he replied that it would be @$250.
To this date the Server is still doing the same thing, and I keep looking for solutions.
When a person purchases something for $1000+ they usually would expect some sort of support to be available. Microsoft has gotten too big for themselves, and I hope that someone somewhere finds a way to implicate them in some sort of legal matter so that maybe Microsoft will understand that they are taking advantage of too many people. Microsoft is comprised of a bunch of crooks, and they need to be brought to justice.
This is proven by the fact that Windows 7 was crammed down everyones throat, and Windows Vista was still “Drying in the corner.” Don’t get me wrong when I speak about Windows 7. This is by far one of the best operating systems that I have seen to date. What I don’t like is that all the people that spent a lot of hard earned money on Vista ended up having to purchase Windows 7 because Windows Vista was so painful to operate, and also very buggy.
Microsoft is treating everyone on the globe like dirt, and if anyone can point me in a solution that would get me away from using Microsoft, then I would greatly consider almost anything legitimate. By the way… Don’t suggest a Mac because I do not like any product made by Apple. I will work on them because there is good income in servicing them, but owning one… NOPE! Apple computers in my opinion are for children. If you can’t operate a computer, then a Mac is for you.
Tags: Microsoft, Small Business Server 2008, Software, technical support
Posted in Software | 1 Comment »
Written by JMarsden92 on 10 April 2010
I used to have a Blackberry because of the capabilities that it had. In December I purchased a HTC Hero from Best Buy, and I have no regrets at this point. I have finally finished testing connectivity between the HTC Hero, and my Exchange 2003 Server. Some people that want Exchange ActiveSync capability may have issues with getting their company to implement a few small changes, but they are very easy to get done by the IT people.
When you first go to connect to a Activesync / Exchange Server you will get some sort of message about Authentication. If you do, then keep reading because I explain how to have this fixed.
Go to mail, and create a new account under ActiveSync/Exchange. You will be asked for the email address, and your password. Press NEXT. If it cannot automatically configure the remaining settings, then you will need to enter the server name, and port. If everything goes well, then you will be lastly asked to choose what to syncronize. This can also be found on the HTC site… HERE.
If you tried all of this, and you still can’t get ActiveSync to work, then you may need to have some things checked, and fixed if necessary.
Make sure Exchange Server has all the available Service Packs.
If you have all of the Service Packs, then go into the Exhange System Manager. Click on First Organization, Global Settings, Mobile Settings. Select properties for Mobile Settings.
From here things get a bit tricky about what settings your IT will allow. Click on Device Security.
For the HTC Hero to work correct you need to put a checkmark in the “Allow access to devices that do not fully support password settings.” This should allow you to connect to your Exchange Server via ActiveSync. Receiving data from your mailbox, calendar, and contacts should be flawless at this point. The only part that is going to give you an issue is sending from ActiveSync. Mail / Messages will get “Stuck in the Outbox.” I had to go into Exceptions, and add the users of Android phones so that those users are exempt from all security settings. Now they can send from ActiveSync.
If you need any help getting this configured, then you can email me, and I will try to help you out.
Tags: ActiveSync, corporate, Exchange, Exchange 2003, HTC Hero, mail, messages, Microsoft, server
Posted in Software | 3 Comments »
Written by JMarsden92 on 16 October 2009
So I am going to be hosting a Windows 7 House Party. I have done everything that needed to be done. Sent out the party invitations, got the computer running Windows 7, and educated myself. Just found out today that they are going to be coming to work to show us Windows 7. With the skill levels, and speed of learning I will probably know more than the guy, or girl that is going to show us.
Windows 7 is faster, but like wine… takes time. I am a 15 year computer tech, and I am not one to make changes very fast. I like the interface, but I will not run out to purchase Windows 7 for each of my other computers.
I will be posting some pictures, and video clips of Windows 7 in action. Keep watching.
Tags: House Party, Windows 7
Posted in Software | No Comments »
