How to create a GPO to Disable the Windows Firewall on XP

Run Regedit

Computer Configuration
Administrative Templates
Network
Network Connections
Windows Firewall
Select the Domain Profile
Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections
Disable this setting

Also don’t forget to apply the policy to the object
Under the Properties and Security of the of the GPO

How to clear the Print Spooler

Net stop spooler
cd \windows\system32\spool\printers
del *.* /y
Net start spooler

How to re-create the Citrix local cache if it has become corrupted

Batch File to Stop the Citrix IMA services, re-create the local cache on a Citrix XenApp server and then restart to the Citrix Services

@echo off
echo.
.echo...Stopping the Citrix IMA Services services...
net stop "Citrix SMA Service" > NUL
net stop Citrixwmiservice > NUL
net stop imaservice > NUL
echo. Running dsmaint and re-creating the Local Cache
dsmaint recreatelhc

echo... Starting the Citrix IMA Services services...
net start imaservice > NUL
net start "Citrix SMA Service" > NUL
net start citrixwmiservice > NUL

EXIT

What happened to my Mail icon in Control Panel?

Some of you may be looking for your familiar email icon that you were accustomed to seeing with Windows XP. Well... if you are using Windows Vista 64 bit it's gone but not totally gone.

Go to Control Panel
Click on View 32-bit Control Panel Items
You will then see your 32 bit email icon

Windows XP Profile Migration

XP Profile Migration

Note: This process below can also be used when a user joins a new Domain although some additional steps will be required.

Old User Account

1. Login as Administrator
2. Open the registry - REGEDIT
3. Go to this key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Profilelist
4. Note the key whose value for ProfileImagePath corresponds to the location of the profile for the old user account.
5. Note the profile folders within the folder C:\Documents and Settings.

New User Account

6. Logon to the computer with the new user account which creates the new profile
7. Reboot note: you can logout but I like the reboot
8. Login as Administrator
9. Note the name of the new profile folder within C:\Documents and Settings.
10. Logon as the Local administrator
11. Make the new User a local administrator
12. Go to this key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Profilelist
13. Note the key whose value for ProfileImagePath corresponds to the location of the profile for the new user account.
14. Replace the value of ProfileImagePath from Step 9 with the value of ProfileImagePath from Step 3. The value is case sensitive so do a copy and paste
15. Delete the key from Step 3.
16. Delete the newly created profile folder or rename to be safe
17. Set the permissions on the profile folder to local adminstrators: Full Control, user account: Full Control, and System: Full Control and propagate the permissions through all subfolders and files.
18. Logon to the computer as the new user

Cleanup
19. Remove the user from the Local Administrators group
20. Delete the old profile folder

Reference: I cannot remember where I got this information so I made some notes when I first used this about 5 years ago. I recently had to do this again could not find my notes so I did it by memory. This time I documented the process so enjoy!

Lost or forgotten ESX Server root Password

Lost or Forgotten ESX Server root Password

1. Shutdown and Reboot your VMware ESX Server
2. Once you see the GRUB boot screen - Select Service Console Only (troubleshooting mode) then press a
3. Type in single and press Enter
4. At the at the sh-2.05b# prompt type in passwd command
Note: You must enter the new root password twice
5. Reboot the ESX Server as you normally would.
6. Verify the new password by logging in at the console

How to Change the root Password
Use putty to connect to the ESX server console with root and your current password
Change the root password by typing in passwd at the console