Microsoft Windows DNSLint utility

DNSLint is a Microsoft Windows utility that helps you to diagnose common DNS name resolution issues.

DNSLint has three functions that verify Domain Name System (DNS) records and generate an HTML report. The three functions are:

• dnslint /d: This diagnoses potential causes of "lame delegation" and other related DNS problems.
• dnslint /ql: This verifies a user-defined set of DNS records on multiple DNS servers.
• dnslint /ad: This verifies DNS records specifically used for Active Directory replication.

Microsoft Windows DNSLint utility

Lost Your Microsoft Licence Key

Where is the product key … in what file … in what filing cabinet. If you’ve worked in technical support for any length of time you know product keys are more likely to be found down the back of a filing cabinet than in it … or were thrown out with the packaging.

Here is a tool from the CNET web site that gives you the keys of the Microsoft products installed on your machine … could not be bothered getting out of my seat to hunt for my Office licence key!!!

http://download.cnet.com/ProduKey/3000-2094_4-10457063.html

Boot Virtual Machines from USB Flash Drive

Portable-VirtualBox is a free and open source software tool that lets you run any operating system from a USB stick.

This is one of those tool that I just want to test but don’t have the time. It allows you to store and run virtual machines from a USB Flash Drive.

Portable-VirtualBox Download

Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool

Want your Windows 7 DVD running from a USB Drive.

This is an official Microsoft tool available free from the Microsoft store. You can now run a Windows 7 installation from a USB drive with at least 4GB space.

Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool

Note: This is only for Windows 7 downloaded from the Microsoft store try it with any other Windows 7 ISO file and you get an invalid ISO message.

Windows 7 Automated Installation Kit (AIK)

Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7 assists in the installation, customize, and deployment of the Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 family of operating systems.

Large download but took me less than 10 minutes on a fast broadband connection.

Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7

Oracle VM VirtualBox

Oracle VM VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualizer for x86 hardware, targeted at server, desktop and embedded use.

TechNet Video: Deploying Windows 7 with WDS

Deploying Windows 7 with Windows Deployment Services

Windows Deployment Services (WDS) enables you to deploy Windows operating systems over the network, instead of installing each operating system directly from a CD or DVD. In this Microsoft video, you'll learn how to:

• Set up  and Configure WDS
• Add installation and boot images to the deployment share
• Configuring the client for PXE booting off the network
• Using PXE Boot Services to install Windows 7 on a bare-metal system
• You'll also gain an understanding of the differences between using WDS and the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).

This web page has many useful links to similar subject matter including videos and virtual labs.

Free idera PowerShell Plus 4.6

PowerShell Plus 4.6 the latest release of idera’s integrated development environment (IDE) is available as a free download from their website.

Download: PowerShell Plus 4.6

Windows 7 SP1 Automated Installation Kit

The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) Supplement for Windows 7 SP1 is an optional update to AIK for Windows 7 that helps you to install, customize, and deploy the Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 family of operating systems.

Be aware this is a big download 1.3Gb

Download- The Windows® Automated Installation Kit

Download: Windows Automated Installation Kit Documentation

 

Windows Automated Installation  Kit for Windows 7

TechNet: Desktop Deployment

What is Windows PE-

Deploying Windows 7 with Windows Deployment Services

Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE)  bootable live windows CD

Server Core tool Oclist.exe replaced with Dism.exe in R2

This tool obtained a list of roles and features on Server Core and installation state. Windows Server 2008 R2 Dism.exe was introduced for adding/removing roles and features.

slmgr.vbs Windows Software Licensing Management Tool

Run slmgr.vbs from command prompt

If you are evaluating a product and you wish to know how long you have left before you have to activate it or what is the current state of machine.

TechNet Slmgr.vbs Options

MagicDisc Virtual DVD on SBS 2008

The Problem
I have a DELL PowerEdge 2800 with SBS 2008 on my test LAN ... CD drive but no DVD  ... tough when the Microsoft Action Pack is on DVD and you don't have the USB DVD drive to hand. 

MagicDisc / MagicISO
MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM
I have used MagicDisc as a freeware virtual cd/dvd on my laptop for ages.
Downloaded the 64bit version installed on SBS 2008 without a reboot.

The Next Problem
This is not of much use for installing the initial operating system. I have used several unattended methods to install operting systems from network shares using boot floppies, CD/DVD or PIX enabled Network Cards.

BartPE
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

PXE (PiXiE) network boot
Walkthrough: Deploy an Image by using PXE

Microsoft Remote Installation Services (RIS)
I have used Microsoft's RIS (Remote Installation Services) to deploy Windows 2000 workstations and servers and XP.

http://unattended.sourceforge.net/step-by-step.php

Technet: Before You Begin installing Windows SBS 2008
Technet: Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK)
Windows SBS 2008 OEM Preinstallation Kit