Upgrade from Windows Server 2003 Domain Controller to Windows Server 2008
Configurations Useful commands windows Windows 2003 Windows 2008Introduction
- On you Windows Server 2003 DC, insert the Windows Server 2008 DVD, and then open command prompt and run the following commands, make sure first to browse to the adprep directory inside the Windows 008 DVD , in my case case, the F drive is the DVD Drive letter, so to browse to the adprep directory I would write the following inside cmd:cd f:\sources\adprerpadprep/ forestprep
- adprep/ rodcprep (Optional, if you plan to add a Read Only Domain Controller Later)
- If the Install Windows page did not auto run before the previous step, double click on your DVD drive where you have inserted the Windows Server 2008 DVD, then Click on Install now
- A please wait screen will be followed, then a page to decide what to do, either to go online and get the latest updates for installation or to skip going online by clicking on the Do not get the latest updates for installation optionI will perform the updates later, so for the purpose of this article, I will click on Do not get the latest updates for installation
- Enter the product key, click Next
- Accept the license terms and click on Next
- What we need to do is to upgrade our server, so click on the Upgrade option
- The compatibility report will be displayed telling you what hardware might not function once upgrade is completed , also to check with software vendors to check if their software are compatible with Windows Server 2008. click Next
- Upgrade is now in process
- The Server will be restarted automatically several times, the Upgrade process will continue with the remaining operations:
- Expanding Files
- Installing Features and updates
- Completing Upgrade
Useful VMware Commands
Useful commands VMWare VSphereUseful VMware Commands
Restart management services: | Service mgmt-vmware restart |
Find DNS servers: | Cat /etc/resolv.conf |
Check ESX version: | esxupdate query |
Restart vmware management: | service vmware-vpxa restart service mgmt- vmware restart |
vdf –h | view partion info (disk space etc) |
ls –larth | list files in a directory in by GB, MB (easy to see file sizes) |
ls –larth *delta* | as above but only show files with “delta” in the name |
List registered VMs: | vmware-cmd –l (gives machine id) |
Check if VM powered on (e.g.): | vmware-cmd /vmfs/volumes/4a006885-0aed81dd-0cdc-002219b72e1d/Exchange01/Exchange01.vmx getstate |
Check if VM powered on (e.g.): | Type ifconfig to check the current IP address. esxcfg-vswif -i x.x.x.x vswif0 Example esxcfg-vswif -i 10.0.1.3 vswif0 |
Check jumbo frames are working | Vmkping –s 9000 |
ifconfig | Display IP information |
Please Click any of the following link
Setup the vSphere Management Assistant
Configurations Useful commands VMWare VSphereSetup the vSphere Management Assistant
Step 1 – Download and Install
- Go to the Vmware website and download the latest version of the VMA appliance
- This comes as a .zip file. Extract this file. You should get the files below
- You can then create the VMA appliance using the .ovf file
- Once the VMA files have finished uploading to your ESX server you can then power on the newly created VM.
- Connect to the console of the new VM and run through the various setup options specifying IP addresses etc.
Step 3- Set Time Zone and Keyboard
Step 3 – Add to Active Directory (optional)
Step 4 – Enable the vi-user account
Step 5 – Add standalone ESX\ESXi server
Quick tip: Launching the Hidden Command Prompt while installing Windows
Useful commands Windows 7 Windows TipsQuick tip: Launching the Hidden Command Prompt while installing Windows
Creating a Batch to free up disc space
Useful commands Windows TipsYou can free up spaces on your hard drive. Just follow these instructions:
Open Notepad, copy and paste:
CD\
CD %APPDATA%
CD..
CD LOCAL\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\EXPLORER
DEL *.db
CD\
CD %Windir%
CD SoftwareDistribution
DEL /F /S /Q Download
vsp1cln /quiet /verbose
vssadmin resize shadowstorage /On=C: /For=C: /Maxsize=3GB
reg add hklm\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
reg add hklm\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore\cfg /v DiskPercent /t REG_DWORD /d 5 /f
Then click on FILE > SAVE AS
On Save as type: Select All files
Give the file a name which ends with .bat
Click Save
To run the file, you have to right click on it> Run as administrator.
You can also use CCleaner
Command prompts for Windows
commands Useful commands Windows TipsCommand prompts for Windows
Some of these command below can cause harmful an undesirable functions, leading to the formatting of your hard disk and data loss, while others will not run under Windows XP. As for Windows Vista the Run Tab is not visible in the start up menu. Windows Vista specific command prompts are not included.
Feel free to add any additional information and tips, you think necessary.
Here is a list of commands you can use under Microsoft Windows prearranged depending of their functionality :
- Control Panel
- Windows utility and applications
- Disk management
- Connection management
- Miscellaneous commands
Control Panel
- CONTROL: opens the control panel window
- CONTROL ADMINTOOLS: opens the administrative tools
- CONTROL KEYBOARD: opens keyboard properties
- CONTROL COLOUR: opens display properties.Appearance tab
- CONTROL FOLDERS: opens folder options
- CONTROL FONTS: opens font policy management
- CONTROL INTERNATIONAL or INTL.CPL: opens Regional and Language option
- CONTROL MOUSE or MAIN.CPL: opens mouse properties
- CONTROL USERPASSWORDS: opens User Accounts editor
- CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2 or NETPLWIZ: User account access restrictions
- CONTROL PRINTERS: opens faxes and printers available
- APPWIZ.CPL: opens Add or Remove programs utility tool
- OPTIONALFEATURES: opens Add or Remove Windows component utility
- DESK.CPL: opens display properties. Themes tab
- HDWWIZ.CPL: opens add hardware wizard
- IRPROPS.CPL: infrared utility tool
- JOY.CP: opens game controllers settings
- MMSYS.CPL: opens Sound and Audio device Properties. Volume tab
- SYSDM.CPL: opens System properties
- TELEPHON.CPL: Opens phone and Modem options
- TIMEDATE.CPL: Date and Time properties
- WSCUI.CPL: opens Windows Security Center
- ACCESS.CPL: opens Accessibility Options
- WUAUCPL.CPL: opens Automatic Updates
- POWERCFG.CPL: opens Power Options Properties
- AZMAN.MSC: opens authorisation management utility tool
- CERTMGR.MSC: opens certificate management tool
- COMPMGMT.MSC: opens the Computer management tool
- COMEXP.MSC or DCOMCNFG: opens the Computer Services management tool
- DEVMGMT.MSC: opens Device Manager
- EVENTVWR or EVENTVWR.MSC: opens Event Viewer
- FSMGMT.MSC: opens Shared Folders
- NAPCLCFG.MSC: NAP Client configuration utility tool
- SERVICES.MSC: opens Service manager
- TASKSCHD.MSC or CONTROL SCHEDTASKS: opens Schedule Tasks manager
- GPEDIT.MSC: opens Group Policy utility tool
- LUSRMGR.MSC: opens Local Users and Groups
- SECPOL.MSC: opens local security settings
- CIADV.MSC: opens indexing service
- NTMSMGR.MSC: removable storage manager
- NTMSOPRQ.MSC: removable storage operator requests
- WMIMGMT.MSC: opens (WMI) Window Management Instrumentation
- PERFMON or PERFMON.MSC: opens the Performance monitor
- MMC: opens empty Console
- MDSCHED: opens memory diagnostics tools
- DXDIAG: opens DirectX diagnostics tools
- ODBCAD32: opens ODBC Data source Administrator
- REGEDIT or REGEDT32: opens Registry Editor
- DRWTSN32: opens Dr. Watson
- VERIFIER: opens Driver Verifier Manager
- CLICONFG: opens SQL Server Client Network Utility
- UTILMAN: opens Utility Manager
- COLORCPL: opens color management
- CREDWIZ: back up and recovery tool for user passwords
- MOBSYNC: opens Synchronization center
- MSCONFIG: opens System Configuration Utility
- SYSEDIT: opens System Configuration Editor (careful while using this command)
- SYSKEY: Windows Account Database Security management (careful while using this command)
Windows utility and applications
- EPLORER: Opens windows Explorer
- IEXPLORER: Opens Internet explorer
- WAB: opens Contacts
- CHARMAP: opens Character Map
- WRITE: opens WordPad
- NOTEPAD: opens Notepad
- CALC: opens Calculator
- CLIPBRD: opens Clipbook Viewer
- WINCHAT: opens Microsoft Chat Interface
- SOUNDRECORDER: opens sound recording tool
- DVDPLAY: run CD or DVD
- WMPLAYER: opens Windows Media Player
- MOVIEMK: Opens untitled Windows Movie Maker
- OSK: opens on-screen Keyboard
- MAGNIFY: opens Magnifier
- WINCAL: opens Calendar
- DIALER: opens phone Dialer
- EUDCEDIT: opens Private Character Editor
- NDVOL: opens the mixer volume
- RSTRUI : opens Tool System Restore (For Vista only)
- %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\RESTORE\rstrui.exe: opens Tool System Restore (for XP only).
- MSINFO32: Opens the System Information
- MRT : launches the utility removal of malware.
- Taskmgr : Opens the Windows Task Manager
- CMD: opens a command prompt
- MIGWIZ: Opens the tool for transferring files and settings from Windows (Vista only)
- Migwiz.exe: Opens the tool for transferring files and settings from Windows (for XP only)
- SIDEBAR: Open the Windows (Vista only)
- Sigverif : Opens the tool for verification of signatures of files
- Winver : Opens the window for your Windows version
- FSQUIRT: Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
- IExpress opens the wizard for creating self-extracting archives. Tutorial HERE
- MBLCTR: opens the mobility center (Windows Vista only)
- MSRA : Opens the Windows Remote Assistance
- Mstsc : opens the tool connection Remote Desktop
- MSDT: opens the diagnostic tools and support Microsoft
- WERCON: opens the reporting tool and solutions to problems (for Vista only)
- WINDOWSANYTIMEUPGRADE: Enables the upgrade of Windows Vista
- WINWORD : opens Word (if installed)
- PRINTBRMUI : Opens migration wizard printer (Vista only)
Disk management
- DISKMGMT.MSC: opens disk management utility
- CLEANMGR: opens disk drive clean up utility
- DFRG.MSC: opens disk defragmenter
- CHKDSK: complete analysis of disk partition
- DISKPART: disk partitioning tool
Connection management
- IPCONFIG: list the configuration of IP addresses on your PC (for more information type IPCONFIG/? in the CMD menu)
- INETCPL.CPL: opens internet properties
- FIREWALL.CPL: opens windows firewall
- NETSETUP.CPL: opens network setup wizard
Miscellaneous commands
- JAVAWS: View the cover of JAVA software (if installed)
- AC3FILTER.CPL: Opens the properties AC3 Filter (if installed)
- FIREFOX: Mozilla launches Firefox (if installed)
- NETPROJ: allow or not connecting to a network projector (For Vista only)
- LOGOFF: closes the current session
- SHUTDOWN: shut down Windows
- SHUTDOWN-A: to interrupt Windows shutdown
- %WINDIR% or %SYSTEMROOT%: opens the Windows installation
- %PROGRAMFILES%: Opens the folder where you installed other programs (Program Files)
- %USERPROFILE%: opens the profile of the user currently logged
- %HOMEDRIVE%: opens the browser on the partition or the operating system is installed
- %HOMEPATH%: opens the currently logged user C: \ Documents and Settings \ [username]
- %TEMP%: opens the temporary folder
- VSP1CLN: deletes the cache for installation of the service pack 1 for Vista
- System File Checker (Requires Windows CD if the cache is not available):
- SFC / scannow: immediately scans all system files and repairs damaged files
- SFC / VERIFYONLY: scans only those files system
- SFC / Scanfil = "name and file path": scans the specified file, and repaired if damaged
- SFC / VERIFYFILE = "name and file path": Scans only the file specified
- SFC / scanonce: scans the system files on the next restart
- SFC / REVERT: return the initial configuration (For more information, type SFC /? In the command prompt CMD.
Run Update.exe to Install Windows XP SP1
Useful commands Windows TipsNOTE: Windows XP must be installed on the computer to use this method.
- Disable any real-time antivirus programs that are running on the computer.
- Connect to the shared distribution folder that contains the service pack source files.
- In the Update folder, run Update.exe.
For example, to install the service pack from the E:\XPSP1\I386 folder, type the following at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:e:\xpsp1\i386\update\update.exe - When the installation is complete, restart the computer, and then restart the antivirus programs that you disabled in step 1.
Create and Prepare the I386 Distribution Folder
Useful commands Windows Tips- Connect to the network or computer on which you want to create the I386 distribution folder.
- In a shared folder, create an I386 folder from which to distribute the service pack. For example, to create the I386 folder in a folder named XPSP1, type the following at the command prompt (where drive is the drive of the network or computer where the distribution folder is located), and then press ENTER:mkdir drive:\xpsp1\I386
- Extract Xpsp1.exe to the I386 folder that you created in step 2. To do this, type the following at the command prompt (where path is the location of the shared distribution folder), and then press ENTER:xpsp1.exe /x:path /uFor example, to extract Xpsp1.exe to the E:\XPSP1\I386 folder, type the following at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:xpsp1.exe /x:e:\xpsp1\i386 /u
- Copy all the files that are contained in the I386\New and I386\Ip folders to the I386 folder. To do this, switch to the I386 folder, type the following at the command prompt, and press ENTER after each command:copy newFor example, to copy all of the files in the E:\XPSP1\I386\New folder and E:\XPSP1\I386\Ip folder to the E:\XPSP1\I386 folder, type the following at the command prompt, and press ENTER after each command:
copy ipe:
cd xpsp1\i386
copy new
copy ip - At the command prompt, type exit, and then press ENTER.
Debug a Windows XP batch file and output the current date and time to a log file
commands Useful commands Windows TipsTo run logtime, first download and install the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit using the instructions mentioned in MalekTips (check the other Windows XP and DOS command tips).
Once the Resource Kit is installed, to view the online help for logtime:
C:\>logtime /?
To write a message to the text file "logtime.log" in the current directory, just issue this command:
C:\>logtime "MESSAGE"
For example, the following command will write the current day, time, and message "Command just completed" to the file logtime.log:
C:\>logtime "Command just completed"
Note that this will display the results of the command to the standard output as well. To hide this:
C:\>@logtime "Command just completed" > nul
XP: kill a Windows process from the command line with taskkill
commands Useful commands Windows TipsThe ability to perform tasks from a system’s command line allows those tasks to be used in batch files. This recipe describes several uses of taskkill to terminate Windows processes.
If you know the name of a process to kill, for example notepad.exe, use the following command from a command prompt to end it:
taskkill /IM notepad.exe
This will cause the program to terminate gracefully, asking for confirmation if there are unsaved changes. To forcefully kill the same process, add the /F option to the command line. Be careful with the /F option as it will terminate all matching processes without confirmation.To kill a single instance of a process, specify its process id (PID). For example, if the desired process has a PID of 827, use the following command to kill it:
taskkill /PID 827
Using filters, a variety of different patterns can be used to specify the processes to kill. For example, the following filter syntax will forcefully kill all processes owned by the user Quinn:
taskkill /F /FI “USERNAME eq Quinn”
The following table shows the available filters and their use.
Filter Name Valid Operators Valid Value(s)
———– ————— ————–
STATUS eq ne RUNNING | NOT RESPONDING
IMAGENAME eq ne Image name
PID eq ne gt lt ge le PID value
SESSION eq ne gt lt ge le Session number.
CPUTIME eq ne gt lt ge le CPU time in the format
of hh:mm:ss.
MEMUSAGE eq ne gt lt ge le Memory usage in KB
USERNAME eq ne User name in [domain\]user
format
MODULES eq ne DLL name
SERVICES eq ne Service name
WINDOWTITLE eq ne Window titleeq: equals ne: not equal
gt: greater than lt: less than
gt: greater than or equal le: less than or equal
WindowsXP: Using the Command prompt to see and kill processes
commands Useful commands Windows TipsAs my project work requires writing and running codes, I generally have at least one Windows command prompt open. If this is the case with you then it is much faster to manage your windows processes from command prompt than to open up the Task Manager, just like we do on Linux using “ps” and “kill” command. Get to know the following commands and you can easily use the command prompt to see and kill processes.
1. Tasklist : This command is similar to “ps” command on Linux and is used to see the details of the programs and processes that are running in Windows. Tasklist can be applied to see how much memory and CPU time running processes are using, what DLL files they rely on, and other information. Thus it can be a very useful troubleshooting tool.
- Processes info: When you enter
tasklist
on the command prompt, you can see the following informations by default. Image Name, PID, Session Name, Session#, Mem Usage - Processes detailed info: Additional info like, Status, User Name, CPU Time, Window Title can be displayed using
tasklist /v
- Services and Processes info: Use
tasklist /svc
to get a table relating Image Name, PID, and Services, very useful to know the relationship between a process and the services that are running on a system. - dlls and Processes info: Tasks and Use
tasklist /m to
find which DLLs are used by each process. - Filtering processes: Processes can be filtered using ImageName, PID, MemUsage, Status, Username and WindowTitle. For Example,
- Use the following command to to find processes that are not responding.
tasklist /fi "status eq not responding"
- Use the folliwing to list the processes eating up more than 10MB.
tasklist /fi "memusage gt 10000"
- Use the following command to to find processes that are not responding.
- More Info: To get more info on advanced syntax of the command use
tasklist /?
or refer to Microsoft’s documentation.
(NOTE: Although Tasklist is a part of Windows XP Professional, it does not come with the Home edition. Those with the Home version of XP can download this file and can put it in the system path.)
2. Tskill : This command is used to end a process, using its name of its PID.
- Kill with name: Use
tskill processname
to kill a process with name processname. For example:tskill winword
(closes all the Microsoft documents that you have open)
- Kill with PID : Similarly use
tskill
processid
- More Info: To get more info on advanced syntax of the command use
tskill /?
or refer to Microsoft’s documentation.
(NOTE: Tskill is a part of both Windows XP Professional and the Home edition.)
3. Taskkill : Similar to Tskill, this command is also used to end a process but it provides us more options in doing so. Apart from specifying the PID or the image name of the process to kill, we can also use ceratin filters to kill the matching processes as explained below.
- Kill with name: Use
taskill /IM imagename
to kill a process with the given Image name. For example:taskkill /im notepad.exe /f
(forces notepad to be killed.)
- Kill with PID : Use
taskill /PID processid
to kill a process with the given processid. - Filtering Taskkill: Processes to be killed can be filtered using ImageName, PID, MemUsage, CPUTime, Session, Status, Username, WindowTitle, Services or Modules (dll). For Example,
- Use the following command to forcefully shut down all the processes that are not responding.
taskkill /f /fi "status eq not responding"
- Use the folliwing to close down all programs using more than 10 MB..
taskkill /f /fi "memusage gt 10000"
- Use the following command to forcefully shut down all the processes that are not responding.
- More Info: To get more info on advanced syntax of the command use
taskkill
/?
or refer to Microsoft’s documentation.
(NOTE: Taskkill is only a part of Windows XP Professional.)