Solutions
TGM Q&A: Solution to Error “Multiple connections to a server or shared resource by the same user, using more than one user name, are not allowed” .
Mar 7th
An interesting error came up this week when working on trying to add a pc on to a network. The error “Multiple connections to a server or shared resource by the same user, using more than one user name, are not allowed” came up while trying to add pc new pc onto an existing network.
I had not seen this error previously and started doing all the standard troubleshooting procedures and research, and discovered that this error happens both when adding a pc to a network or while trying to a new network drive to an existing pc.
The error itself seems to be triggered by the way Windows handles authorizations (I am assume on that, but due to the solution, it makes sense), and the solution is actually a very simple one.
SOLUTION:
On the pc that is getting the error, go to Start –> (settings –>) control panel –> Administrative Tools –> Services.
- In Services you will find 2 items toward the bottom. Locate where it says Server and Workstation.
- Once you find Server –> click on it 1 time to highlight it. On the top left you will see it say Server with a choice of Stop, Pause and Restart. Select STOP under server
- Now go down to Workstation –> click on it 1 time to highlight it. Again click on Stop.
Now you will be able to add either the pc to the network or add a mapped network drive. Once you have done either reboot the pc. Simple as that.
TGM Q&A: Software: iTunes says its running in compatibility mode when started fix
Feb 14th
In the past couple of days, I have received may requests for help concerning another iTunes issue. It seems that on some iTunes installs, that when you start iTunes you get a message
"iTunes.exe has been set to run in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows.
For best result, turn off compatibility mode of iTunes before you open it."
If you click ok on the message then iTunes opens just fine and works, but seeing that message every time is just an annoyance that just shouldn’t be there. The solution offered by Apple (LINK: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1489 (http://support NULL.apple NULL.com/kb/TS1489)) is
Resolution
Try these steps to turn Windows compatibility mode off:
- Quit iTunes.
- Windows XP and Windows 2000: On the Start menu, click My Computer (or double-click My Computer on the Desktop).
Windows Vista and Windows 7: On the Start menu, click Computer. - In My Computer, open the C:\ drive (or whichever disk your Windows is installed on).
- Open the Program Files folder or "Program Files (x86)" if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows Vista or Windows 7).
- Open the iTunes folder.
- Right-click on the iTunes application (iTunes or iTunes.exe) and from the shortcut menu, click Properties.
- Click the Compatibility tab.
- Deselect the checkbox under Compatibility mode if it’s selected.
- Click OK.
- Open iTunes and play a song.
However, as many of the requests for help have said the Apple solution does NOT work for everyone. For those, who still have issues after following the Apple solution, the I have a fix for you.
NOTE: THE SOLUTION WILL INVOLVE A CHANGE TO THE WINDOWS REGISTRY. FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY AND DO NOT MAKE ANY OTHER CHANGES TO YOUR REGISTRY UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THOSE CHANGES WILL DO. THE REGISTRY CONTROLS WHAT YOUR PC DOES. ANY UNNESSESARY CHANGES COULD BREAK YOUR MACHINE. THIS IS YOUR WARNING. Now with that said on to the solution.
- Go to start –> run –> regedit
- When the registry opens go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
***Note that there are also sections for Windows, WindowsNT, Windows Mail, etc, so make sure you are looking under Windows NT (You can also verify at the bottom).
- Once you are on the Layers section, look at the Window on the right and you will see a software key that says iTunes.exe. Delete that key by right clicking on it and then selecting delete. (Your key may look a little different depending on where you installed iTunes).
Once that is done, close the registry editor and start iTunes, and you should no longer see that message.
Software: Windows BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) 0×0000000A Fix
Feb 13th
Ever since I started using Windows 7, I was sold as it being one of the best releases Microsoft has had. I have it installed on all 3 of my machines, plus have installed it on pre-existing pc’s for dozens of clients. So far until recently I have had no major issues reported by anyone. That is until recently. I have had a few clients call me telling me that they have had random Blue Screens of Death that pop up after they use the computer for a while. It has happened only on a handful of clients but when it does, they see the STOP: 0×0000000A error message.
One of the most common inside jokes by techs is “Its not happening on my pc”, unfortunately for me, even I have started seeing this error on 1 of Windows 7 pc’s. As I have discovered, it seems that Microsoft is also aware of this Windows 7 error as they have a knowledge base article (KB: 979444) which was just release on February 8, 2010 (LINK: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979444 (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/kb/979444)). The issue (based on the article) affects
According to the KB, Microsoft says
This issue occurs because Power Manager opens an Advanced local procedure call (ALPC) port. However, Power Manager closes another port instead of closing the ALPC port. Every time that a power request is made, a memory leak occurs. When the leaked memory usage accumulates to a certain level, the computer crashes
If you are suffering a periodic 0×0000000A Blue Screen error, you can request the Hot Fix for Free from Microsoft by going to the Hot Fix request page for KB: 979444 (LINK: http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=979444&kbln=en-us (http://support NULL.microsoft NULL.com/hotfix/KBHotfix NULL.aspx?kbnum=979444&kbln=en-us)) where you will be asked to provide you email. Once you will out the form, you will receive the actual download link, via the email address you provide. The Hot Fix is specific to this issue, so it will NOT be included during Windows Update.
As of the installation of this Hot Fix, no one has reported the blue screen again. Including yours truly.
Hardware: Simple instructions to get into you Bios to change the boot order for your pc.
Jan 23rd
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/computer_cartoon NULL.jpg) From time to time, we must make modifications to our computers that require going into the BIOS of the machine. The most common modification of the bios involves having to set the boot order of the pc, so that you can boot using a CD/Floppy/USB key for diagnostics or repair. Although each computer is different, most use standard ways of getting in, changing values, and saving the configuration.
Here are some sample instructions for your PC
****WARNING: Please read the following 1st****
Tip: It is a good idea to “back up” (record on paper) all of your BIOS settings before you make any changes to them.
Note: Every setup program is slightly different from every other one. Even if two BIOSes are made by the same company, they may have different settings. The commands as shown here might be different on your PC, or they might be in a different place. Use care when modifying these parameters, and refer to your motherboard manual if it is accurate. I can’t cover every possible variation of settings.
Warning: Changing advanced parameters can lead to system instability and data loss. The only change I will be referring to in this post involves the boot order. It is recommended only users who really understand what they are doing change make any changes to any of the other options in the bios. IF you choose to make any other changes to the bios, Proceed at your own risk.
*****OK with that said**********************
Dell systems
- Depress the F12 key when boot menu text appears at startup
- Select BIOS setup and depress the Enter key
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/dell NULL.jpg)
- Using the arrows on your keyboard, move to Boot Sequence and the select the device you want to boot to (CD/Floppy/USB) and move it to the top of your list. (The pc will attempt to boot in the order of your list)
- Click Apply
- Click Exit
- Fully shut down (power off), wait a few seconds, and restart your computer
HP systems
- Depress Esc key when prompted at startup
- Depress the F10 key to Configure BIOS
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HP NULL.jpg)
- Scroll to the area where it says First Boot Device, Second Boot Device, Third Boot Device,
- In that area press the +/- key on your keyboard to change each boot device, adding the device you are trying to boot to as the 1st device.
- **Make sure you include Hard drive in either the 2nd or 3rd device
- Depress the F10 key to save and exit
- Select Yes and depress the Enter key
- Fully shut down (power off), wait a few seconds, and restart your computer
Lenovo ThinkPad systems
- Depress the blue ThinkVantage key when prompted at startup
- Depress the F1 key to enter the BIOS setup utility
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bios1 NULL.jpg)
- Using the arrow keys, scroll to the Boot area…
- The using the x\- keys set the order to boot selecting the device you want to boot to as 1st device.
- Depress F10 key to save and exit
- Select Yes and depress the Enter key
- Fully shut down (power off), wait a few seconds, and restart your computer
And that’s how you change your boot order……..for your pc.
Windows: Error “The Hardlock service failed to start due to the following error….” message in the Windows Event Viewer
Jan 13th
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/microsoft NULL.jpg) A strange error came to my attention today while working with a client. I was trying to see why his pc would periodically stop responding. In looking at the Windows Event Viewer (Control Panel –> Administrative Tools –> Event Viewer –> System) the following error was discovered.
“The hardlock service failed to start due to the following error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O error”.
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/image NULL.png)
It took a little digging around to find the answer and here is what the Hardlock service does – It is used with software that require what is called a hardware lock or dongle to make the software work. (Dongle = A piece of hardware that attaches to a computer in order to make a piece of secured software run. A dongle in this sense is used as a high-end form of security to prevent the unauthorized copying of software, since making a copy of the hardware itself is much more difficult than simply copying the software)
In the case of this customer, they used to run point of sale software from this pc that required the “dongle”, however when the point of sale software was removed, the part of the software that looked for the dongle stayed and kept looking for a piece of hardware that was no long on this machine.
To correct this issue, (WARNING: Keep in mind that this will break the software that the dongle is used for if that software is still on the pc) all you need to do is run the following from the command prompt (Start –> Run –> CMD)
(http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/dongleremoval NULL.jpg)
and just type HLDINST –remove (Type it just as you see it), and hit enter.
That will stop the Hardlock service and remove the registry entries belonging to the Hardlock driver.
(http://www