Task scheduler service is not available.

OS: Windows 10 Ent 64bit version 1709 build 16299.334

Error: Task Scheduler service is not available. Task Scheduler will attempt to reconnect to it.

Details: only happing to one task and the service is running.

Temp Fix: open task>conditions tab>uncheck start only if the following network connection is available.

Related reading: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/ba3857f3-bd51-4cc4-aaad-2bd83e33c7a1/task-scheduler-service-is-not-available-task-scheduler-will-attempt-to-reconnect-to-it?forum=win10itprogeneral

Space bar and other keys deleting characters

Problem: typing some text and if you have to fix some typo your space bar starts deleting characters. Could be a big issue in the command-line. Well for most text applications you can switch between overwrite and insert mode but they all do a poor job at letting you know what mode you’re in.

Solution: “Insert” key, you can press the insert key to switch modes. Really simple but a major pain if your mode changes.

Missing window(s)

Issue: one or more of your windows are missing or off screen. This can happen if you where connected to multiple windows and now aren’t.

These options are geared more for windows 10, in older versions of Windows it was easier to get these to come up.

Option one:

Right click task bar and click “Cascade Windows”

This option moves all windows to the main screen in a cascade view. Useful if all your windows are missing.

Option two:

Shift+right click the missing app icon in task bar and click “Move” and use arrow keys or mouse to move window.

This can move just the missing window back to the main screen

System F keys

Note: These function keys can change with any new software/firmware release and also different hardware types. These function keys are more for server hardware and not desktop hardware.

IBM/Lenovo

F1 : Setup
F2 : Diagnostics
F12 : Boot Device

Cisco

F2 : Setup
F6 : Boot Menu
F7 : Diagnostics
F8 : Cisco IMC Configuration
F12 : Network Boot

HP

F10 : Setup

Dell

F2 : Setup

Supermicro

DEL : Setup
F11 : Boot Menu
F12 : Lan boot

VMware

ESXi – if some of these don’t work ESXi could be hung or they could be disabled.

ALT-F1 : console
ALT-F2 : DCUI
ALT-F11 : banner screen
ALT-F12 : VMkernel log

ESX

ALT-F1 : service console
ALT-F2 : service console
ALT-F11 : banner screen
ALT-F12 : VMkernel log

VM:

F2 : Setup
F12 : Network Boot
ESC : Boot Menu

Additional data:

https://www.lifewire.com/bios-setup-utility-access-keys-for-popular-computer-systems-2624463

Is the server a VM

Issue: Have you ever worked at a large company and get someone telling you their server is a VM but you can’t locate it?

What might have happened:

1. the servers name was changed at on the VM or OS and someone has the new or old name and it no longer synced correctly
2. out of date inventory/cmdb
3. it could be physical
4. DNS alias

A workaround:

Here are some commands that will help track down the system, you can twink a few of these commands to get additional data. You will need access to the server OS that you are trying to track down for these commands to work.

Linux:
dmidecode -t system | grep ‘Manufacture\|Product\|Version\|Serial Number\|UUID’
dmesg | grep -i hypervisor (maybe)
ifconfig
hostname

Windows:
wmic computersystem get model,name,manufacturer,systemtype
ipconfig /all
hostname

Solaris:
prtdiag -v | head -3
/usr/sbin/ifconfig -a
arp -a
/usr/bin/netstat -pn | grep SP
ipadm show-addr (solaris 11+)
hostname
uname -n

How to change SRM DB password

The issue:

You need to change or already did change your database password that site recovery manager is using. In my case someone change the password and didn’t update it in SRM so the service wouldn’t start anymore.

The Fix:

1. open cmd
2. navigate to your SRM install directory and then the bin folder
3. installcreds.exe -key db:databasename -u databaseuserid
4. enter your new password

 

 

TSM error ANS2310E

Issue:

TSM for VE will sometimes give error ANS2310E The create snapshot task is disabled on the virtual machine ‘*’. As a result, the virtual machine cannot be backed up.

Cause:

If the VM is getting vmotioned or storage vmotioned, snapshot tasks will fail and this error will be created.

Solution:

Retry the backup job at a later time after the vmotion is complete.

The case of the missing mouse on windows 2012 via rdp

Issue: No mouse pointer after you RDP to some windows 2012 servers, seems to be more common from linux systems. Also in my research it seems this fix works for slow mouse pointers too in RDP

Workaround:

1. launch control panel
2. click on mouse options
3. click on the pointers tab
4. uncheck “enable pointer shadow”

If you need keyboard shortcuts:

1. windows key +R for run command
2. then “control main.cpl”
3. uncheck “enable pointer shadow” *use tab if needed to select option.

References:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/192806

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/126449

bonus https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/3dcd8f57-3efc-46e9-b2e1-34e61f3ddb3d/remote-desktop-connection-mouse-slow-with-windows-2012?forum=winserver8gen

 

RDP error Local Security Authority cannot be contacted

The error:

Remote Desktop Connection: An authentication error has occurred.
The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted
Remote Computer: hostname or ip

The issue:

Seems to happen more on 2012 server but if you have Network Level Authentication enabled it will not prompt you for a GUI change password option if you have change password at next logon selected. This error could happen for other reasons as well

One of the possible fixes:

1. uncheck change password at next logon if its selected
2. use a different tool to change your password at first logon

Additional info can be found at https://blog.mnewton.com/articles/Solution-RDP-The-Local-Security-Authority-cannot-be-contacted/

Change password in RDP for 2012

Ctrl + Alt + End will create the same screen as Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your workstation. Useful on 2012 if you need to change your password via RDP.