We had an interesting error this morning. A client called to say that they had upgraded a bit of software (a web application hosted on their SBS 2003 server), and were now getting a .NET error:
Could not load file or assembly ‘System.EnterpriseServices.Wrapper.dll’
After some searching around, we managed to fix the error by copying the %systemroot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.EnterpriseServices.dll to the GAC.
Instructions:
GAC is located at C:\WINDOWS\assembly. You will need to open 2 windows explorer to do drag and drop, as there is no ‘paste’ once you ‘copy’ from it. Simply drag the System.EnterpriseServices.dll file from the source folder (%systemroot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.EnterpriseServices.dll) to the GAC ( C:\WINDOWS\assembly).
We recently came across a problem whereby whenever anyone tried to access a share (or mapped drive) on our server, a message saying “Not enough server storage is available to process this command.” was displayed. After some rooting around, we discovered that this was down to installing Acronis TrueImage on theserver. Apparently, the same thing happens with Norton Ghost.
The Fix:
The two messages you are likely to get are:
- Not enough server storage is available to process this command.
- Not enough memory to complete transaction. Close some applications and retry.
To repair it, you have to create or increase the IRPStackSize parameter in the registry of the computer that has the shared folder (the server). Open the Registry Editor (Run -> regedit) and browse to the following value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Services
\LanmanServer
\Parameters
Check for the presence of the value named IRPStackSize. If it doesn’t exist, create it as type DWORD. With base set to decimal, enter the value 16 or higher (15 is the default, so entering 15 should have the same effect as removing that value altogether). We found that a value of 20 did the trick.
Reboot the computer (or restart the Server service).
You can also check out this Microsoft Knowledge article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/177078/
We have a Windows 2003 server in the office, with Apache installed to run test sites on. However, we wanted to install Exchange 2003, which meant installing IIS 6 onto the machine as well. We had added multiple IP addresses to the server so that IIS could have one and Apache could have another (so they could both run on port 80). However, we ran into the problem that IIS was taking control of all IP addresses on port 80 and so Apache wouldn’t start. It seems that IIS 6 has a “feature” called Socket Pooling that claims all ports for all loaded IP address (even if not configured in IIS). So IIS had control of the port 80 on the IP address we had assigned to Apache.
Workaround:
- Extract the httpcfg.exe utility from the support tools area on the Win2003 CD.
- Stop all IIS services: net stop http /y
- Have IIS listen only on the IP address I’d designated for IIS: httpcfg set iplisten -i 192.168.1.253:80
- To test: httpcfg query iplisten (the ip’s listed are the only ip addresses that IIS will be listening on)
- Restart IIS Services: net start w3svc
- Start Apache service
Now, Apache and IIS6 co-exist on the same server, both listening on port 80.
We put in a new router this week. A Draytek Vigor 2910. I have used Vigors for years and had no problems with them. They are bullet proof in terms of setting up VPN tunnels between them.
However, once installed, of the people in the office couldn’t access their internet banking. After much head scratching and port opening, we traced the problem to the fact the Vigor couldn’t handle the VPN connection that is made by the software to the bank. VPN passthru has been fine in the past, and still worked for other things, but this just wasn’t going to play ball. In the end, we downloaded and installed pfSense and configured it. It took less than 10 minutes to get going, and the internet banking worked first time. Having looked around the pfSense web interface, I have to say that I love it. There is so much information there. I would highly recommend it!
Its been a very busy few months for us here at SkiptonSystems!
Web Development
On the web front, we won the contract to design and build the entire website for Optoma Racing Ltd based in Essex. Initially, this is a simple front page with an online store behind selling sports motorbike parts and accessories. Going into 2010 the site is going to develop into a fully fledged motorbike racing club, with a classifieds section, a paid membership area offering discounts on motorcycle goods, discussion forums and a “new rider” section. Optoma Racing Ltd can be found at www.optomaracing.com.
As well as Optoma, we’re also busy on designing and building a website for Access Protection Ltd. This site involves a Flash introduction screen leading into a professional, clean site based heavily around the Access Protection brand. www.accessprotection.com.
IT Support
During November, we were delighted to secure the IT contract for one of the large hotels in Skipton. This came about purely from a cold call, and a job well done. Soon afterwards, the contract was signed.
Some more good news comes from Drystone Radio this week. The Drystone 106.9 Community Cafe is opening on Cowling. The cabling is done, the computers and audio system is in and all certificates in place. Good luck to them.
One of our clients called this morning because they have bought a new PC with Windows Vista on but couldn’t get it to connect to their Virgin Media cable modem. When they ran the CD supplied with the modem an error message came up stating that there was no ethernet card installed.
After testing, it was established the the card was there, and was working perfectly.
Upon some digging, it turned out that rather than using the CD to set up the connection on your Windows Vista machine, you need to open a web broswer and go to:
http://80.5.178.26
You will then be presented with a registration form. Complete this, and you are connected.
Email marketing is becoming ever more important when it comes to advertising your products, or simply keeping in touch with your clients. Statistically, it is the most effective marketing method in terms of results-to-cost.
Email marketing is not spam. There are many rules that apply when marketing via email, and not adhering to these rules is illegal. It is also counter-productive from a relationship-building point of view. The most important rule when sending an email newsletter is that users must be able to easily unsubscribe when they wish.
The technology used to send email marketing message has improved greatly in the last few years. Gone are the days when you simply sent a mass-mail to a long list of addresses and hoped for the best. Email marketing applications now allow you to target your customers so that they only receive email with content that they are interested in. This is achieved by giving users access to an online “control panel” which allows them to alter their options as and when they like. This feature ensures that the emails that end up in their inbox are relevant, and therefore helps to retain subscribers. The link to the control panel should be included in every message you send.
Not only can you target who is receiving the email you send, it is now possible to track which of those users has opened the email, when they opened the email, and what links they have clicked on within the content. This knowledge allows you to see what is working (and what is not) giving you the opportunity to tailor future emails thus keeping all communication interesting.
If you are interested in email marketing, and would like to know just how little it can cost, get in touch. Skipton Systems has developed an email marketing tool that will allow you to keep in touch with your clients in a very cost-effective way. We will even design the template and assist in the writing of the content, if you wish.