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Win 10 update broke DHCP / getting an IP address

Last week Microsoft quietly fixed a Windows update it recently released which prevents users from getting an IP and connecting to the Internet.

People are pointing the issue to update KB3201845 released on Dec 9 2016, which appears to break DHCP. This prevents Win 10 from automatically getting an IP address from the network.

KB4004227 has been released to resolve this issue.

“Note: This issue is limited to PCs running Windows 10 version 1607 that have not been restarted recently, and with network adapters unexpectedly showing an IP address in the 169.x.x.x range. ”

More info on MS forums.

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Visio available for the web and iPad

Visio Viewer for iPad and Visio Online Preview has been released.

This will allow users to share and access diagrams from a web browser or iPad (iPhone app is coming soon).

It looks like you will be able to add realtime data into the online visio, allowing you to have a realtime map of your diagrams/networks.

You will need access to a Microsoft account or home/school Office 365 subscription.

For more details see the Microsoft link here.

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ChangeIP.com down

Looks like changeip.com are down.

Service Status

Sunday 12/11/2016 at 1PM PT we experienced a database failure that cascaded through all of our redundant systems.
At 2PM PT we started the process of restoring data from systems backup. Unfortunately due to the size of the database
the restore process is taking much longer than anticipated. Once the database restore process is complete, systems
operations will be returned to normal.

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Powerful power supplies

I was building a new PC for a client. The thought came across, how powerful should it be? Here is some interesting info I have found.

A PSU will ONLY use from the source what is being drawn by the system load.

A PSU that runs warm/hot draws more power.

Therefore: It is far more economical to run a higher watt PSU than a lower watt an the system components will always run cooler when there is a PSU installed that is well overrated for the system.

The more efficient your PSU, the less noise it will make, the less power it will draw, and the less it will cost. PSUs are rated at five levels 80 Plus, 80 Plus Bronze, 80 Plus Silver, 80 Plus Gold and 80 Plus Platinum, with Platinum being most efficient. If you use your PC a lot you will want to go with at least a Gold rating.

750 watt power supply here we come!

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Goodbye Azure RemoteApp

Microsoft will “gradually wind down the delivery of Azure RemoteApp over the next year.” in favour for their partnership with Citrix using XenApp “Express”.

“Microsoft customers using RemoteApp will be supported through August 31, 2017, when the service will be shut down.”

MS Link here

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Stop Cryptolocker

Stop Cryptolocker, or at least get warned if it starts encrypting files on your file server. The link below has instructions on how to setup File Server Resource Manager in Windows Server. By adding in certain file extensions you will be able to setup automatic emailing (and shutdown if you want) to detect when Cryptolocker starts encrypting files on your file server. There are also many other great tips on how to protect your server.

http://jpelectron.com/stopcrypto

Screenshot

crypto

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Windows 10 default printer trouble

I had a client ask me why their default printer keeps changing. I discovered a new feature of Windows 10 automatically sets the default printer to the last user printer.

To fix this:

  1. Click on the start button and type in “Printers & Scanners”
  2. Click on Printers and Scanners
  3. Turn off the setting “Let Windows manage my default printer”
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Change MSI location GP

If you need to change the MSI location of software you are deploying through group policy, you will notice you can’t edit it via GPMC. The way around it is to use ADSI Edit.

Read this link for more info.