Neal's Admin.Notes.

'Delayed Write Failed' in Windows XP SP2

After a few weeks of running SP2, 2 workstation of ours started getting the following error when it randomly tries to save data across the WAN to our NAS server.

Delayed Write Failed
Windows was unable to save all the data for the file path to files. The data has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer hardware or network connection. Please try to save this file elsewhere.

Check KB Article 870894 for a possible solution.

Basically, it will involve some registry edits and entries ;

To work around this problem you must set CacheControl to zero: 1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\3ware Storage Controller\Cache Control
3. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
4. Type 0, and then press ENTER.
5. Quit Registry Editor

If you're suffering from the same problem, and is using a 3ware storage controller, this might work for you.

More GMAIL invites

Google's GMAIL has granted me 20 more invites. If you would like one, email me or leave a response on this Blog. They are going fast so act soon. Hope everyone has a great holiday season and a prosperous new year and of course , a bigger IT budget :)

Admin Notes Hotfix site publicly available

Because of all the comments and suggestions, my HOTFIX page is now publicly available. DO READ DISCLAIMER before you download any of these patches and fixes. I cannot gurantee they work for you just because they worked for me. I usually update it as the need arises. If there is one that you would like and is not available, feel free to email me on it. Also feel free to leave some feedback on the use of the patch, if it works or doesnt work for you.

20,000 Hits and Counting

I just looked at my stats and logs, and to my surprise I have gotten a little over 20,000 hits since my site's inception in March of 2004 . I personally would like to thank all the people that contribute their knowledge, suggestions as well as their own issues as Administrators. I have been on several consulting gigs as well as handling my full-time job as an Administrator. So, don't fray when I don't respond instantly, please keep the questions , suggestions and emails coming and I will try my best to be more prompt on the responses.

Windows 2000 Powered NAS problems

A week ago, our DELL 775N NAS Appliance was constantly slowing down and not allowing network connections to the shares it contained. Initially it reported an Event ID 2021 / 2022. So I removed the Mcafee VScan 7.x and replaced it with VScan 8.x . This seemed to solve the problem for the next few days. Yesterday it started again, this time with an Event ID 2019. So I called up Microsoft and they responded with an untest hofix relating to KB article 833266. After applying this patch, all seems well again with the NAS Appliance. If you like a copy of this patch, please feel free to email me at anytime.

Do remember, alot of times, Windows Powered Appliances do not support the latest hotfixes and updates from Microsoft. Please consult your vendor before making OS changes to your device.

Overtime Laws

For a computer employee to qualify for the Exemption under the Computer-Related Occupations, they must meet the following tests and salary basis requirements. The employee must be compensated either on a salary or fee basis at a rate not less than $455 per 40 hour week or, if compensated on an hourly basis, at a rate not less than $27.63 an hour. The two amounts are not the same.

The employee must be employed as a computer systems analyst, computer programmer, software engineer or other similarly skilled worker in the computer field performing the duties described below;

The employee’s primary duty must consist of:

1. The application of systems analysis techniques and procedures, including consulting with users, to determine hardware, software or system functional specifications;

2. The design, development, documentation, analysis, creation, testing or modification of computer systems or programs, including prototypes, based on and related to user or system design specifications;

3. The design, documentation, testing, creation or modification of computer programs related to machine operating systems; or

4. A combination of the aforementioned duties, the performance of which requires the same level of skills.

Ok...what the hell does this mean ?

GMAIL

I have quite a bit Google GMAIL invites. If you like one, just send me an email

DNS query responses do not travel through a firewall in Windows Server 2003

Some mailservers behind firewalls ( like mine ) which do not allow transfer of UDP packets larger than 512 bytes may not be able to return the MX record for some ISP like earthlink.net. I came across KB article.

Windows 2003 server has included Extension Mechanisms for DNS (EDNS0) to allow larger packets. If you run this command on a 2003 server: "dnscmd Server Name/Config /EnableEDnsProbes 0", it fixes it without making any changes to the firewall.

Domains with this issue include AOL.com, Qwest.net, and EarthLink.net.

DNS query responses do not travel through a firewall in Windows Server 2003

Some mailservers behind firewalls ( like mine ) which do not allow transfer of UDP packets larger than 512 bytes may not be able to return the MX record for some ISP like earthlink.net. I came across KB article.

Windows 2003 server has included Extension Mechanisms for DNS (EDNS0) to allow larger packets. If you run this command on a 2003 server: "dnscmd Server Name/Config /EnableEDnsProbes 0", it fixes it without making any changes to the firewall.

Domains with this issue include AOL.com, Qwest.net, and EarthLink.net.

Nextel A-GPS Service Down

So here I am driving to New Jersey last Saturday in search of a gate for my dog only to realize my trustworthy and all knowing Nextel- Motorola GPS / i830 color phone was not working !!. Arrrgh. Here I was stuck..lost in NJ with no clue on how to get where I was going or how to get home after. luckily I drove around for an hour or so till I came across some familiar territory to find my way back ( Oh yeah....Petco didn't have the gate in stock...they only sold it online...go figure . Thinking my phone was malfunctioning, I had Nextel overnight me a replacement. Monday night...here I am, stuck in Brooklyn with no GPS ( yes, I don't know why I didnt check it before I leaped from Manhattan into Brooklyn ) !!! Apparent after some serious questioning , Nextel / Motorola has a network and software issue affecting GPS on their key phones.

So its July 31st, they seem to have fixed the network, but working out the logistics on getting the software updated on the phones... I guess I will just have to rely on good ole Expedia, or Mapquest to get me to where I'm going.....hmmmm, how about Atlantic City ! If you have a Nextel phone that utilizes the A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning Satellite) service , you can check their site for updates on the situation...