“setup cannot copy the file: iastor.sys. To retry, press enter.”

After you create the Intel F6 driver disk, Copy (don’t move) all files from the root of the floppy to a subfolder on the floppy as follows:

A:/$OEM$/TEXTMODE/

This is what the floppy will look [...]]]> Here is a tested solution to the Intel F6 Storage Driver install error:

“setup cannot copy the file: iastor.sys. To retry, press enter.”

After you create the Intel F6 driver disk, Copy (don’t move) all files from the root of the floppy to a subfolder on the floppy as follows:

A:/$OEM$/TEXTMODE/

This is what the floppy will look like now:

Contents of (A:\)
<$OEM$>
iaahci.cat
iaahci.inf
iastor.cat
iastor.inf
iastor.sys
readme.txt
txtsetup.oem

Contents of A:\$OEM$\TEXTMODE
iaahci.cat
iaahci.inf
iastor.cat
iastor.inf
iastor.sys
readme.txt
txtsetup.oem

class MultipleConstructor {

private $info = ”;

function __construct() { $argv = func_get_args();

switch( func_num_args() ) { default: case 1: self::__construct1($argv[0]); break; case 2: self::__construct2( $argv[0], $argv[1] ); break; } }

function __construct1($value) { $this->info = $value; }

function __construct2($value, $value2) { $this->info [...]]]> It is a huge frustration to me that PHP does not support constructor overloading in the same way that other OOP (Object Orientated Programming) languages do.  There is a workaround, however:

class MultipleConstructor {

private $info = ”;

function __construct() {
$argv = func_get_args();

switch( func_num_args() ) {
default:
case 1:
self::__construct1($argv[0]);
break;
case 2:
self::__construct2( $argv[0], $argv[1] );
break;
}
}

function __construct1($value) {
$this->info = $value;
}

function __construct2($value, $value2) {
$this->info = $value . ” ” . $value2;
}

function get() {
return $this->info;

}
}

$a = new MultipleConstructor(‘Value 1?);
echo $a->get();

$b = new MultipleConstructor(‘Value 1?, ‘Value 2?);
echo $b->get();

Using the admin share (C$) I was able to access the installation logs on the destination server (from C:\Program Files\Windows Small Business Server) and saw [...]]]> Whilst migrating a customers SBS 2003 server to SBS 2008, I was getting a message saying “Active Directory replication is taking longer than expected”.  I clicked “Wait…” a couple of times, but nothing was happening.

Using the admin share (C$) I was able to access the installation logs on the destination server (from C:\Program Files\Windows Small Business Server) and saw that the section below kept being repeated in the logs:

Setup: DsGetDcName returned: 0
Setup: DsGetDcName returned name: sbs03.mydomain.local
Setup: Expected name: sbs08.mydomain.local
Task:       There are 0 pending replication operations.
Setup:       Attempting LDAP bind.
Setup:       Bind successful
Task: Waiting for replication to finish

First of all, I made sure all the correct services were running on the source server:

• Computer Browser
  File Replication Service
  Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
  Workstation

THis made no difference (but didn’t hurt!).

After trawling the web, I found that there is one registry key on the source server, and two on the destination server that need to be fixed. 

On the source server:
HK_LM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTFrs\Parameters\Backup/Restore\Process at Startup – change the BurFlags key to decimal 4.

On the destination server:
HK_LM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTFrs\Parameters\Backup/Restore\Process at Startup – change the BurFlags key to decimal 2
HK_LM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters – change the SysVolReady key to decimal 1.

Now, stop the File Replication service on both machines.

Finally, start the File Replication service on the source server, then the destination server. 

As soon as this happened, the migration continued.

It is a common situation. A lot of people think of backups as being just for disaster recovery when the unthinkable happens; for when a server disk fails, or a computer is stolen for example. Yes, these are essential [...]]]> You’ve deleted a file and didn’t mean to. No problem – just restore it from your backup!

It is a common situation. A lot of people think of backups as being just for disaster recovery when the unthinkable happens; for when a server disk fails, or a computer is stolen for example. Yes, these are essential reasons for having a backup, but in our experience, most every day uses for regular backups come when a user simply deletes a file by accident. It can be a weight off your mind knowing that a backup was recently carried out and the file is easily recoverable.

There are two main types of backup available to businesses these days: tape backup, and online backup. Both methods allow for automatic scheduling, allowing you to backup your data as often as you like for complete peace of mind. Continuous Protection is even available, meaning that as soon as a file is saved a backup is taken, allowing the Administrator to restore data to any point in time.

Tape Backup
Tape backup systems can involve anything from a single tape drive sitting on top of a Small Business server up to an array of tape autoloaders that can hold 25 tapes or more.. each! With modern LTO5 tapes being able to hold anything up to 1.5TB (1500GB) of data, the amount of information that can be backed up in a relatively short space of time is huge.

Online Backup
A relatively new technology, online backups take a copy of your data and “upload it” to a location outside of your network, preferably in a datacentre, protected by their own backups and connection redundancy. Online backups are generally for small businesses with low volumes of data. Obviously, backing up over the internet takes time and relies on having a fast, robust internet connection.

Protect Your Data
We always recommend having a backup routine setup and administered by a professional. A good backup routine will provide a historical archive and ensure that all of your current data is secure and protected, but without taking the time needed to do a full backup every day. This is achieved using tape rotation and different backup methods.

Once the backup routine is up and running, regular maintenance and constant monitoring is needed to ensure that you always have the latest information backed up and ready to restore when needed. Any failures or problems need to be corrected before the next backup is undetrtaken.  Again, there are numerous tools available to system administrators that make this task very quick and easy.

For more information on backing up your data, or for a free consultation and check of your backup systems, please call us on 01756 707896 or contact us via our website at www.skiptonsystems.co.uk.

We learned this week that we have been given the contracts to design and build two bespoke web applications.  Both of these are relatively large projects and will involve both in-depth design work and some fairly complicated web application development. We hope to be able to bring [...]]]> April has been another busy month here at SkiptonSystems!

We learned this week that we have been given the contracts to design and build two bespoke web applications.  Both of these are relatively large projects and will involve both in-depth design work and some fairly complicated web application development. We hope to be able to bring you details of the completed sites by the end of June.  Watch this space…!

In terms of our IT work, we are in the middle of offering advice and producing a quote for local company that have out-grown their existing IT system and are wanting to replace it with a brand new network, running on Windows Server 2008 with Exchange 2007 and SharePoint Services.  The network will be split across 3 locatons in the UK with a VPN tunnel between each office.  Exciting stuff.

Stay tuned for the May newsletter, tackling the subject of backups.

Antivirus protection is something that a lot of businesses either don’t think about until it is too late, or install but forget about keeping up to date. By calling in the experts to take care of your antivirus, you are free to concentrate on the important aspects of your [...]]]> Antivirus – A “Must Have” For Computers

Antivirus protection is something that a lot of businesses either don’t think about until it is too late, or install but forget about keeping up to date. By calling in the experts to take care of your antivirus, you are free to concentrate on the important aspects of your business, safe in the knowledge that your company is protected.

Do I Really Need It?
In a word – yes. Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation. A virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your e-mail program or company network to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk. Once infected, it doesn’t take long for the situation to get out of control.

How Can I Protect Myself?
Firstly, it is essential to remember never to open e-mail attachments unless you know the sender and are expecting the attachment. The same applies to removable storage – never plug in a memory stick or insert a CD from someone you do not know.

This is common sense, but not a solution. Mistakes can happen. Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself and your business is to invest in good antivirus software.

Is “Free” Any Good?
We often get asked about free antivirus software that is available to download. The majority of these are only licensed for personal use, and as such, only provide a relatively low level of protection. Certainly, in our experience, free antivirus products do not offer the protection needed in an office environment. The main problem is that there is no way of centrally controlling the software once it is installed – users can disable, or even uninstall the software. It can also be an onerous task keeping the protection up to date.

Protect Your Business
Business-grade security and protection systems should be administered by a professional. They offer much more than just antivirus – anti-spam, data encryption and web/email content filtering are all becoming more common.

The software is deployed to all computers and servers on the network and is constantly monitored and updated automatically. The system must cover all areas which pose a threat, such as internet browsing, email and instant messaging – these are all potential sources of infection that need to be controlled. Once up and running, a good system should go unnoticed by the majority of users.

If you are concerned about your antivirus situation, or would like some advice, we would be happy to discuss the most appropriate protection system for your business – just give us a call on 01756 707896 for a chat.

For more information on our Antivirus products, and to download free software, please visit our Sophos pages at sophos.skiptonsystems.co.uk.