Pull Specific events from event logs on multiple remote computers

SCENARIO

You want to get a specific event from multiple remote computers.  For example, you want to find 1074 events in the System log, but you want to pull those events from a bunch of computers.

RDS 2012 R2 - Server Manager Won't Show RDS Deployment

Scenario

Ok so you know that you installed your RDS roles and your server manager used to show you your RDS deployment.  But today you logged in and you get the above message: "A Remote Desktop Services deployment does not exist in the server pool.  To create a deployment, run the Add Roles and Features Wizard and select the Remote Desktop Services installation option".

When this happened to me, I verified that the RDS roles were in installed - they were.  My remote apps still worked, the roles were still there, etc.  But server manager would not recognize the deployment.

PowerShell - Create Users, Databases, and Set Permission on MySQL

SCENARIO

You want to automate the creation of lots of MySQL user accounts, databases, and permissions set on those user accounts.  You can do this through PowerShell.

I modified a script by berniecamus: https://github.com/berniecamus/create-mysql-database/blob/master/createmysql.ps1

Create a csv file with the following headings:

WSUS Server 2012 R2: Computers won't show up in console

SCENARIO

You used to use Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2 for your WSUS server.  You are upgrading to Server 2012 R2, but when you point your clients to the new server, they don't show up in the Update Services Console.

Powershell - Create List of Installed Software

Scenario

You want to find out what software is installed on the computers in your organization.  You can use PowerShell to do this.

First open PowerShell ISE and paste the following code in the script portion.

$list = Import-Csv "C:\TEMP\computers.csv"
foreach ($entry in $list)
{

try
    {
$machinename = $entry.pcname
$SrvPath = "\\server\share"
$Date = Get-Date -UFormat %m-%d-%y
$FileName = "$machinename" + "_" + "$Date" + ".csv"
Get-WmiObject Win32_Product -ComputerName $machinename | Select-Object PSComputerName,Name,Vendor,Version | Export-Csv C:\$FileName -NoTypeInformation

    }
    catch [Exception]
    {
    }
}

Outlook Troubleshooting - Enable Logging

Scenario 

There may be times when you are  troubleshooting Outlook issues, but you would like to have more information about what Outlook is doing in the background.  This is often the case when something happens in Outlook that isn’t right, but there aren’t any popup error messages.

Add GImagex to Your WinPE Environment

Scenario

You have a WinPE boot drive with imagex on it, but you want to add GImageX to your WinPE environment so that you have a GUI front end for your WinPE boot drive.  Mostly likely because you are tired of entering the imagex commands manually.

If you want to know how to create the WinPE USB drive, please view this article.

Create Basic WinPE USB Drive - Windows 10

Scenario

You want to create a basic (no frills) bootable drive with WinPE on it.  In this case we will be using the Windows 10 ADK tools.

What you will need:

• Windows 10 ADK - https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/dn913721.aspx
• USB Drive
• DISM GUI (Optional) - https://dismgui.codeplex.com/

Expand Values in SCCM Query Builder Values Box

Scenario

You are building or editing a query in SCCM 2012 R2. When you go to edit your query statement, you go to set your criterion properties and select a value.

Step by Step Setup of MDT 2013 Update 2 Server

SCENARIO

You want a quick walk through on how to setup MDT 2013 Update 2 so that you can get started using it in your environment.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1. A server OS - Server 2008 R2 or higher.  We will be using Server 2012 R2 in this scenario.
2. Windows Deployment Services role installed on our server.
3. Download MDT 2013 Update 2. You can find it here.
4. Download Windows ADK for Windows 10. You can find that here.
5. Client OS (Win7, Win8, Win10) - whatever you plan on deploying.
6. Drivers for the machines you are deploying to.

Driver Packs

Manufactures make driver packs for their various models.  Use these!!!

HP x64 Drivers - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/HP_Driverpack_Matrix_x64.html

HP x86 Drivers - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/HP_Driverpack_Matrix_x86.html

HP WinPE Drivers - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/HP_WinPE_DriverPack.html

Dell Drivers - http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/enterprise-client/w/wiki/2065.dell-command-deploy-driver-packs-for-enterprise-client-os-deployment

Lenovo Drivers - https://support.lenovo.com/cy/en/documents/ht074984