IT

SCCM 2012 Client Push Error 80041026

Posted on by Adam Fowler

Hi,
I’ve just been troubleshooting a PC that was failing when the SCCM 2012 client was being pushed to it, with the below error located on the client’s log file ccmsetup.log:

MSI: Setup failed due to unexpected circumstances
The error code is 80041026

After trying the install locally and still having it fail, I took the next logical step and googled it.

I found this blog, which had a similar issue but different error code:

http://www.madanmohan.com/2010/10/msi-setup-failed-due-to-unexpected.html

Luckily the fix was the same, due to something wrong with the WMI Repositry.

Following these instructions worked perfectly:

http://www.madanmohan.com/2010/10/rebuilding-wmi-repository.html

Due to being an XP client, the steps I ran were:

net stop winmgmt

Using Windows Explorer, rename the folder %windir%\System32\Wbem\Repository. (For example, %windir%\System32\Wbem\Repository_bad). %windir% represents the path to the Windows directory, which is typically C:\Windows.

net start winmgmt

rundll32 wbemupgd, UpgradeRepository

That was it, no reboot required. Retrying the install again was then successful.

Thanks Madan’s Blog!

Running Remote Control without the SCCM 2012 Console

Posted on by Adam Fowler

Hi,
Just a quick one here, I figure this blog should also be sharing solutions that others have found and worked, rather than just my own content.

So, I can confirm the following works:
http://ccmexec.com/2012/05/running-configuration-manager-2012-remote-control-standalone/

These instructions will let you run Remote Control from System Center Configuration Manager 2012 without needing any extra software installed. The logged on account still needs ‘Remote Tools Operator’ access from inside SCCM 2012, but they can fire this up to remotely connect after this.

Keep in mind that if you have a 64 bit OS, the path for the files will be “Program Files (x86)”. Also, this works on both 32 and 64 bit OSs, while the old 2007 required separate copies.

It should be a nice easy way to remove VNC or other less secure connection methods internally from your company.

I’ll also add that the 2012 version seems much more reliable than the 2007, especially with visual issues.

Have fun!

How To Enable Office 2013 KMS Host

Posted on by Adam Fowler

Hi,

Following on from my previous blog on “How to add your KMS keys for Windows 8 and Server 2012, here’s how you can enable a KMS Host (Key Management Service) for Office 2013.

Server End

First, you’ll need access to Microsoft VLSC (Volume Licensing Service Center) here: http://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/ Update: You can also download it from here http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=35584

From there, under the ‘Downloads and Keys’ section you’ll need to find ‘Office Professional Plus 2013 Key Management Service Host’ or Office Standard Key Management Service Host’ depending what you’re licensed for. It’s a 800kb ISO file.

Once downloaded and extracted/mounted, you’ll need to go to your already configured KMS Host which is running your Windows KMS Host activation. If you’ve already got Widnows 8/Server 2012 running then it could be easier, as there were some patches for the pre-release version of this tool, and that will possibly apply to this proper release.

On the KMS Host, open your command prompt and run the command ‘cscript kms_host.vbs’ (assuming you’ve navigated to the directory containing the extracted ISO). It’ll do it’s thing as per this screenshot:

 

Then, as long as you’ve been kind to the licensing Gods it will prompt you saying that the install was successful, and would you like to enter and activate your Office 2013 KMS key now? Yes please you’ll reply, realising you’re talking to your PC.

Enter your key including dashes (obtained from VLSC under the actual Office 2013 product download) and nervously wait, while it gives no indication anything is happening for 10 seconds or so. Eventually you’ll get another prompt saying the key has been successfully installed and activated. You will be able to see this from the Volume Activation Management Tool under the ‘Licensed’ area.

Client End

The Office 2013 client automatically installs using the client KMS. There are two keys remember, being the KMS Host and KMS Client. The KMS Host is obtained via VLSC and individual to your organisation, while the KMS Client key is standard worldwide, and the default for install. The KMS Client key is also referred to as the Generic Volume License Key (GVLK). More info including the publically available keys here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj219430%28v=office.15%29.aspx

To force client activation, run the command ‘cscript ospp.vbs /act‘ from the C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\ folder. More info on that here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624350%28v=office.15%29.aspx

You’ll now probably get an error saying “The count reported by your Key Management Service (KMS) is insufficient.” with an error code 0xC004F038.

I believe you need 5 unique PCs to request a key before your KMS Host will start giving them out (reference for Office 2010 http://blogs.technet.com/b/odsupport/archive/2010/06/14/troubleshooting.aspx). I haven’t had a chance yet to test this, so please let me know if you find out more.

Update: As confirmed by this page, you need 5 unique PCs http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624358%28v=office.15%29.aspx

 

Training

Posted on by Adam Fowler

Hi,
Sorry for the lack of updates, but I haven’t had as much to blog about tech-wise. A month ago I did a 5 day SCCM 2012 course, and this week I’m doing a 5 day Lync 2010 course. They’re both great Microsoft products, and I’ll probably talk more about them both soon.

SCCM 2012 (which Microsoft want people to call ConfigMgr 2012) is quite a polished product, and I will be going live with it soon. The only missing part for me is Windows 8 and Server 2012 compatibility, which won’t be available until SCCM 2012 SP1. That’s currently in beta, but not expected to go RTM until very early next year.

Lync 2013, Exchange 2013, SharePoint 2013 and Office 2013 have all just gone live in TechNet and VLSC (Volume Licensing Service Center) which means there’s a lot of new stuff going on. KMS isn’t available for Office 2013 yet with an ETA of 6th November 2012, but as soon as it’s out I’ll get it working and blog about it due to it being a popular topic with Windows 8 and Server 2012.

Looking forward to writing some more exciting updates!

Windows 8 With A Mouse And Keyboard

Posted on by Adam Fowler

Hi,
Over the last month or so, I’ve read a lot of comments and articles from people complaining about Windows 8 being designed as a touch interface OS, and that it’s terrible for desktops. I can understand how people react this way, but disagree. There’s a few little tips and tricks in Windows 8 that make it easy to use with a mouse and keyboard, but unless you know them it can be a bit painful to use.

Just to get something out of the way – Metro isn’t the name for the Windows 8 interface anymore, it’s ‘Modern UI’. Further reading on this here: http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/10/3232921/microsoft-modern-ui-style-metro-style-replacement

Anyway, here are the basics of using Windows 8 with a keyboard and mouse that should make your experience much nicer:

1. The Windows Key. Use it to flick back to your desktop mode, because that’s where you’ll be doing most of your stuff. You can still create desktop shortcuts to launch your apps from here if you prefer.

2. Bottom Left Corner in Desktop Mode: Put your cursor to the bottom left, and you’ll see a little ‘Start’ box pop up. This isn’t a Start Menu (sorry Start Menu lovers), it just takes you back to the Tiles screen. Unexciting so far, but if you right click on this little window you are presented with a list of handy options. You can also press ‘Windows Key + X’ to bring this menu up:

Source: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/7878.windows-8-survival-guide-for-it-pros.aspx

3. Charms bar. Move your cursor to either the top right or bottom right corner, then bring it to the middle of the right of the screen (like you’re drawing a tick, and no, not THE Tick http://www.tv.com/shows/the-tick-1994/). The Charms bar is context aware, so some options will change depending what you’ve got open in front of you. The Charms bar has a lot of handy options under the Settings area, including the power option to do a shut down or restart. If you prefer a shortcut key, Alt-F4 from desktop mode will bring up the old style ‘Sign Out/Sleep/Shutdown/Restart’ options.

4. The Modern UI Interface. For the most part I don’t use it, but think of it as a giant search bar. Indexing works really well in Windows 8, so just type the file, setting or program you’re looking for and it will present all the things it finds. Again, just puting your cursor in the bottom left hand corner and clicking the Start windows that pops up will take you there, or pressing the Windows key will do the same. You can start typing your search from the main Tiles screen, you don’t need to click on any search options.

That’s it. 4 small things that should make your Windows 8 experience when using a keyboard and mouse much nicer. Feel free to comment on any tips and I’ll update the article.

Update: Chris Knight pointed out that people want their start button back, and recommended this article for some ways on how to do it: http://www.ghacks.net/2012/10/09/whats-the-best-windows-8-start-menu-program/