Upgrading a Windows 2008 Server to 2012 R2 Standard

We have a client, Population Services International Liberia (PSI). All of their ICT infrastructure is being managed by us as a consultant.

There’s a file sharing server (HP ProLiant Server T620) that has been configured and setup for years running Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard. Last week, I was forced to upgrade the (OS) Operating System to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard for below reasons.

I have had issues with RAM failure twice in the past and the RAM was replaced.

A monthly preventive ICT maintenance is also carried out on all their IT equipment including Anti-virus full system scan, defragmentation of disk space, deleting temporary internet files, Windows updates, checking all wireless access points, switches & routers, making sure everyone is seamlessly browsing the internet and system backups in case of disaster recovery or any other future problems.

One morning, I was just back in office from one of our clients sub office out of Monrovia, Sanniquillie Nimba County and doing the routine checks. I got an email request from PSI to creating new users and access to the said file sharing server. To be specific, Human Resource Department folder. I quickly arranged my tools and left for their site.

I typed in the administrative password for the server and got an incorrect password warning over and over. I couldn’t believe it because even if you woke me up at night I could read it out loud. I phoned the guy who’s in charge of the server room keys and whom I relate every sensitive information including Wi-Fi password, desktop administrative passwords, including the server just in case I am unable to get there on time due to emergency if he made any changes on the server password. He responded that yes he did, but can’t remember where he place it neither remember. I was so frustrated that why would he make changes without securing a system password or sharing it with me. I had no alternative but to get Windows Server 2012 software in resetting my password. Now if you don’t have this idea you will end up running a fresh installation, structuring files, configuring Active Directory, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and creating all users over. This would have been more than a pain.

These steps are very easy and simple to follow once you have your software installation disk or USB available. (Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard)

·      Boot from you Microsoft Windows Server 2012 DVD

·      From the Windows Setup menu, Click “Next’’.

·      Select “repair Your computer’’

·      Under Choose and option, click on “Troubleshoot”.

·      Under Advance option, click “Command Prompt”.

At the command prompt, run the following commands:

• d: and hit enter
• cd windows\system32 and hit enter
• ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.old and hit enter
• copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

·      Close the command prompt and click “Continue.”

·     The server should boot and display a logon screen. In this case you only hold Windows Key + U.

·     At the prompt you can now change the password you wish by entering the following commands:

net user administrator ‘’Adm1n1str8t1ve” for example.

Close the command prompt, you will now be able to log back onto the server using the password you entered in the command prompt. Once you verified that you can log on to the server. That’s really cool. You still need to repeat the steps in getting to the command prompt by restarting the server and running these commands:

          · d: and hit enter

          · cd windows\system32, and hit enter

          · ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.new, and hit enter

          · copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

Here are photos of my password reset. The server is now running without causing any inconvenience to our customers.

Reach out for NATC for all your IT needs and support!

Prepared by:

Daniel W. Collins

Senior IT Technician

New Africa Technology Company (NATC)

Afriland Bank server installation

We supplied an HP ProLiant Server for one of our clients, Afriland First Bank Liberia. In a few days the, the client request that we (NATC) come over and do the installation of the software (Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard). I arranged my software quickly and stop by at the bank. My arrival was announced to the IT department but unfortunately, the IT Manager had left the bank. He instructed that I deliver the software (OS) to any of his colleagues of his department. The next day on my way to work I got a call from my boss saying ‘’ Daniel, the bank have some issues with the installation of the server operating system (OS). You need to pass by and see what’s the problem is and have it resolved as soon as possible!’’ He also shared the error message with me on our WhatsApp channel, as it is one of the easier and smooth ways the team works and communicate with each other these days, very interesting!

Well, below was the error message of the server shown during shutdown. This error does not occur on a “warm” restart of the server. It only occurs during shutdown. I quickly continue my journey to my office, downloaded the needful, went back to client site, and updated the firmware in resolving the problem.

If you may have experience such problem after installation of Microsoft Windows Server 2008R2 Standard in your server environment, there’s no need changing your OS/ operating system  or server brand. A firmware upgrade is required. Download the firmware of the exact brand and OS to save yourself the stress by clicking the link below.

http://h20564.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?swItemId=MTX_1786e42281714355bf56d35961#tab-history

Prepared by:

Daniel W. Collins

Senior IT Technician

New Africa Technology Company (NATC)

Installation errors

Hey Everyone, 

As an IT technician, we face a lot of issues which are repeated regularly. So, it makes you more familiar, and, when a client starts to explain his/her problem, you most likely already know the solution and that’s why I love my profession. 

A week ago, we got a call from one of our client’s, Population Services International Liberia (PSI). They purchased two brand new laptops and while trying to install software they were unsuccessful. 

The question to myself was why they would carry on installation when we are their IT consultant and if it creates even bigger problem, the headache becomes ours most especially the tech who’s handling it.

But again I couldn’t ask the client I am there to solve problem. 

I arrived on the customer site and the laptops were handed over to me and the problem they faced was also explained. 

The client bought a copy of Microsoft Office 365 suite which is Cloud based ex: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, OneDrive, Skype for Business etc. In order to access or download any of these programs if not installed you will have open a web browser, type in organization website and login with your organization email address and password. 

So these two new laptops needed the programs to be installed on them. Then I tried the installation over and saw this ‘’this is a fatal error message, the installation could not be completed because another application is in use.’’ 

I knew the problem right away and how to go about solving it after noticing that it was a Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System (OS). Then I thought, Microsoft Windows 10 OS machines come with Microsoft Office suite preinstalled so in order to complete this installation I need to first end the task in the background and uninstall these programs. 

This was how I resolved the issue:

1. Right click on task bar and open ‘’Task Manager’’

2. Click on ‘’Details’’ 

3. Click on Microsoft Office 2013 and see that it is highlighted 

4. Click on ‘’End Task’’ and close. After doing this, open Control Panel and locate the preinstalled version of Microsoft Office and click on ‘’Uninstall’’ and restart the laptop. Connect back to the Internet, open the web browser and login with the user’s E-mail ID and password. Then download and install MS Office 365. 

The installation was successful. Finding solutions to client problems both on the phone and on site is our everyday work as a tech. Thanks for reading and hope this information finds you well.  

Prepared By: Daniel Collins  

New Microsoft product to back up your documents

Hi Blog Readers! 

Throughout the month of November, I have been busy with lot of site visits, doing IT maintenance for hardware and other related IT works, but there is one job which I will love to share with you.  

One of our clients requested us to do a cloud backup. This is simply backing up  all of your important data  to the Internet. There is a new way of storing all of your important data on the cloud server. This system works like our normal external servers that we have in our work places.  

There are a few differences when you back up your file on the cloud:

 1. You still have all your important documents in tact after experiencing a crashed hard drive. Even though sometimes we are able to retrieve our data, a back up on an external hard drive or server is not 100% guaranteed.

2. In case of severe irreparable damage to your hardware, you still have your data stored on the cloud. 

3. Even if  there was some burglary at home or office and your laptop has been stolen, this is a guarantee that all of your data will still be there for you. 

4. You can easily work on a document from anywhere using Microsoft 360 online.  

NATC came up with the use of Microsoft One Drive sync which helps in accomplishing our customer’s aims. This is software designed by Microsoft and helps in the automatic upload of files, folders and pictures over the Internet for backup purpose. It normally comes with Window 8.1 and Windows 10 Operating System. 

If you are installing it on a Windows 7 Operating System then you first have to create a Microsoft or Outlook account and download the One Drive setup.  After downloading the app, you will run as administrator, and you will be asked to enter your username and password you first created. While installing the app you will be asked to choose a particular path or location which you will want to install the one drive. The One Drive app works like our normal folder we save our documents in. All documents saved in this folder   will automatically be uploaded on the cloud once there is a working Internet.  There is a green check mark on each file once it has been automatically uploaded. All you have to do is to save your files, folders and pictures in the rightful path or location.  To make sure your One Drive is working, login to your Microsoft 360 Account, open One Drive and click on recent documents. There you will be able to see all of your documents you posted in the one drive folder.    Thanks for reading my post.  

Rita J Gailor

Blog Post for June

Dear readers, 

In this blogpost I will be showing you how to go on resolving problems like this ’’Windows is unable to add this printer, the printer spooler has stop, restart the spooler and try again.’

I had same problem when I was sent to setup a Cisco E900 router and two HP LaserJet network printers for a client, GIZ's office at the Ministry of Public Works.

The configuration of the router was done in less than 3mins, tested and working perfect. I powered on the two printers and assigned a static IP address in each to be identified on the network via LAN cables.

The processes above went well until when I begin to install the printer driver on the client's laptop where I kept receiving the above error message. The driver of the printer was uninstalled and installed several times including restarting the spooler in Windows Registry but still the problem couldn’t resolve at the end of the day. I informed the client that the process could not be completed due to time but I would be back the next morning. 

It's hard to stop the work.

Until a solution is found, whenever I do not complete a task, it bothers my mind especially middle of the night. I kept thinking on other methods to use by downloading the printers driver from HP website. The next morning I went back to my office to download the drivers from HP website on a USB drive and took it with me. I uninstalled the previous once and installed the once that was downloaded but in the end I kept receiving the same error message. I felt very discouraged and thought what could be the problem. I have been working on many sites and had never experienced such. I thought on reinstalling the OS on his laptop but this could take a lot of time backing up data and installing other drivers.

The next day I found the last solution to apply if not I would have no option but to reinstall the (OS) Operating System of the laptop. When I got on site that afternoon the client said, ‘’you look smiling today, I guess you’ve found the solution to my problem’’ I said to him. ‘’Sure Sir, everything will be okay today." 

I powered on the laptop and typed ‘’system restore point’’ and this took up to 45mins to restore the computer to a new stage. No files were missing or effected. I installed the drivers back on the laptop and all went well. The client was well satisfied but I was more that satisfied with myself.

Thanks for reading and hope this information will help if you encounter such issue like this.

Prepared by Daniel Collins.