IT Computer Setup Tips

Tech Tips

Pat Nudo, Computer Network Engineer

Tips:

If you have any questions or concerns regarding technical issues with your work computer, contact us.

Sample C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file:

# Internal Addresses
192.168.32.18    www.cantonohio.gov cantonohio.gov
192.168.32.18    recycle.cantonohio.gov
192.168.32.18    www.cantonciviccenter.com cantonciviccenter.com
192.168.51.24    www.cantonhealth.org cantonhealth.org
10.101.200.84    www.cantonutilities.com cantonutilities.com
192.168.51.39    www.cantonincometax.com cantonincometax.com
192.168.51.42    itnet isnet2
192.168.51.22    issvr issvr2
192.176.33.70    isnet
# Tyler Technologies (New World) internal IP's
172.23.120.59    nwsgis
172.23.120.56    nwsmspprod
172.23.120.55    nwscneprod
172.23.120.60    nwsess
172.23.120.57    nwsaegissqldb
172.23.120.63    nwsmsptest
172.23.120.62    nwscnetest
172.23.120.64    nwsmmstest
172.23.120.61    nwsmmsprod

Dell OptiPlex Desktop - Windows 10

Connecting to Samba Shares:

Control Panel - Administrative Tools
Local Security Policy (if you are not an 'administrator' then right-click it and select 'Run as administrator' and enter the administrator user/password)
Expand 'Local Policies', select 'Security Options'
Find "Network security: LAN Manager authentication level", change it from "Not Defined" to "Send LM & NTLM responses".
Find "Network security: Minimum sessions security for NTLM SSP based (including secure RPC) clients", Uncheck "Require 128-bit encryption".
Click OK. It will now show "No minimum".
Reboot for the changes to take effect!
You should now be able to connect to the old Samba shares.

More coming soon?

Dell Vostro Laptops - Windows 7

Desktop shortcuts to items on network drives sometimes disappear from desktop...

If you create desktop shortcuts to removable storage places such as NAS the icons will disappear from time to time because Windows 7 has a built in task schedule to clean up broken and unused links.
To prevent the task from running you need to disable the task in the task scheduler: Windows Start Orb-All Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Task Scheduler
Expand the tree in the left hand pane until you get to Task Scheduler Library-Microsoft-Windows-Diagnosis.
In the right hand pane, right click the task named Scheduled and click Disable.

Connecting to Samba Shares...

Start "Local Security Policy" (in Windows 7 it is as easy as writing exactly that in the search box).
Go to "Local Policies" and then "Security Options".
From list of policies open "Network security: LAN Manager authentication level".
Changing its setting to "Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated".

Old Instructions for connecting to Samba shares:
1) Run: gpedit.msc
2) Find: Console Root -> Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options
When you're there change the following policies
3) Microsoft network client: Send unencrypted password to third-party SMB server: Switch it to "Enabled".
4) Network security: LAN Manager authentication level: Select the option: Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated.

Speed up your mouse.
It's a pretty wide screen, this will help you traverse it quickly.
Get to know your touch pad, it might not ever replace a mouse, but it can come close:
Setup some custom options on the touch pad.
You can Tap the touch pad to left-click,
Double-Tap to double-click.
Double-Tap (don't lift your finger after the second tap) to Drag,
Tap again to Drop.
Disable the System BEEP:
There is a driver hidden in the “Device Manager” that can be disabled…
Open “Control Panel\System\Hardware Tab\Device Manager” at the top click “View\Show hidden devices” then go to “Non-Plug and Play Drivers” and double-click “Beep” now click the “Driver Tab” in “Current status” press the “Stop” button, and finally change “Startup\Type” to “Disabled”.
Change your Windows Internet Options:
While at work, go through a proxy (192.168.37.5).
Away from work, don't use a proxy.

Note: FireFox has an extension (MultiProxy Switch) to do this on itself.
Change your DNS settings:
While at work, use these DNS servers...
192.168.33.82 and 192.168.32.52.
Away from work, Obtain DNS server address automatically.
You may want to use a macro program like AutoHotKey, or setup some batch files to automate tips 5, 6, and 7.
See the last page for example batch files.
When you connect to your current PC from your Laptop, you may need to use your PC's IP address (ex. 140.3.4.12) instead of its Computer Name (ex. GeorgeXP).
You can map your entire C: drive with this a sort of address:
\\140.3.4.12\c$
Change Power Options so the laptop does nothing when the lid is closed:
Control Panel | Power Options | 'Advanced' tab
Under 'Power buttons' set 'When I close the lid of my portable computer' to 'Do nothing' and click OK.
To connect a monitor...
Power off your computer and monitors.
Plug the monitor cables into their appropriate connectors.
Power on your monitors first, and then restart your computer so that Windows® can detect the new hardware settings.
To set up a multi-monitor display (optional)...
From the Start menu click Control Panel, then Display. Click the Settings tab to access the basic multi-monitor configuration settings.
Select the Monitor icon identified by the number 2.
Click Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor.
Set the Screen Resolution and Color Quality as appropriate for the second monitor. Click Apply or OK to apply these new values.

Note: When you use multiple monitors with your card, one monitor will always be Primary. Any additional monitors will be designated as Secondary.
Cleaning the Computer, Keyboard, and Display...

CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently remove dust from the slots and holes on your computer and from between the keys on the keyboard.

NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer or display, do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the display. Only use products specifically designed for cleaning LCDs, and follow the instructions that are included with the product.

Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with either water or an LCD cleaner, and wipe the display until it is clean.
Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water and wipe the computer and keyboard. Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest.
Cleaning the Touch Pad...
Shut down and turn off your computer, disconnect any attached devices, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
Remove any installed batteries.

Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water, and wipe it gently across the surface of the touch pad. Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest.

Example Batch and Registry Files to Help Automate Network Changes:

IT.cmd:
REM Windows 7 Batch Command to set Network settings
netsh interface ipv4 set address "Wireless Network Connection" static 192.168.33.88 255.255.255.0 192.168.33.3
netsh interface ipv4 set dns "Wireless Network Connection" static 192.168.33.82 primary
netsh interface ipv4 add dns "Wireless Network Connection" 192.168.32.52
netsh interface ipv4 set address "Local Area Connection 2" static 192.168.33.80 255.255.0.0 192.168.33.3
netsh interface ipv4 set dns "Local Area Connection 2" static 192.168.33.82 primary
netsh interface ipv4 add dns "Local Area Connection 2" 192.168.32.52
start C:\Programs\ProxyOn.vbs

<Department>.cmd:
netsh interface ip set address "Wireless Network Connection" static 255.255.255.240 192.168.<3^rd Octet of WiFi Router (3^rd part of the dotted quad)>.1 auto
netsh interface ip set dns "Wireless Network Connection" static 192.168.33.82 primary
netsh interface ip add dns "Wireless Network Connection" 192.168.32.52
netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static 255.255.0.0 140.3.95.95 auto
netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" static 140.3.1.2 primary
netsh interface ip add dns "Local Area Connection" 140.3.1.3
REM wizmo.exe quiet wanlock
regedit /s c:\utilitites\ProxyOn.reg
call C:\Utilities\ProxyOn.vbs

Generic.cmd:
netsh interface ipv4 set address "Wireless Network Connection" source=dhcp
netsh interface ipv4 delete dns "Wireless Network Connection" all
netsh interface ipv4 set address "Local Area Connection" source=dhcp
netsh interface ipv4 delete dns "Local Area Connection" all
wizmo.exe quiet wanlock
start C:\Programs\ProxyOff.vbs

ProxyOn.reg:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
"ProxyEnable"=dword:00000001
"ProxyServer"="192.168.37.5:3128"

ProxyOff.reg:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
"ProxyEnable"=dword:00000000
"ProxyServer"="192.168.37.5:3128"

ProxyOn.vbs:
Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001

strComputer = "."
Set objRegistry = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")

strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings"

strValueName = "ProxyEnable"
dwValue = 1
objRegistry.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, dwValue

strValueName = "ProxyHttp1.1"
dwValue = 1
objRegistry.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, dwValue

strValueName = "ProxyHttp1_1"
dwValue = 1
objRegistry.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, dwValue

strValueName = "ProxyServer"
strValue = "192.168.32.132:3128"
objRegistry.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strValue

strValueName = "ProxyOverride"

strValue = "localhost;127.0.0.1;ch-postfix2;davical;isnet;192.168.33.70;140.3.4.15;itnet;isnet2;isnet2:8080;isnet3;192.168.2.9;healthweb;healthwebold;kimk;michael;patty;tdlarson;tomm;george.hom;66.144.133.14;ftp.dps.state.oh.us;misweb2;city-webmail;ch-postfix2.canton.lan;192.168.33.108;kronos;192.168.33.109;kron-test"
objRegistry.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strValue

' Display A Message
strMessage = "The local proxy server is now set to the Proxy Server."
' Msgbox strMessage, 0, "Proxy Server: Proxy Server"

ProxyOff.vbs:
Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001

strComputer = "."
Set objRegistry = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")

strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings"

strValueName = "ProxyEnable"
dwValue = 0
objRegistry.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, dwValue

REM Display A Message
strMessage = "Access to the Proxy Server is now disabled. You are set for direct connection to the internet."
REM Msgbox strMessage, 64, "Proxy Server: Proxy Access Disabled"

ProxyToggle.vbs:
Const HKCU=&H80000001 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Const HKLM=&H80000002 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Const REG_SZ=1
Const REG_EXPAND_SZ=2
Const REG_BINARY=3
Const REG_DWORD=4
Const REG_MULTI_SZ=7
Const HKCU_IE_PROXY = "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings"
Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:!root/default:StdRegProv")

Main

Sub Main()
   If GetValue(HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyEnable",REG_DWORD) = 1 AND Len(GetValue(HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyServer",REG_SZ)) > 0 Then
        ' If Proxy is set then turn it off
        CreateValue HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyEnable",0,REG_DWORD
        wscript.echo "Proxy Disabled"
        REM strMessage = "Proxy Disabled"
   Else
        ' If Proxy is not set then turn it on
        strProxyServer = "192.168.37.5:3128"
        strProxyOveride = "localhost;127.0.0.1;ch-postfix2;davical;isnet;192.168.33.70;140.3.4.15;itnet;isnet2;isnet2:8080;isnet3;192.168.2.9;healthweb;healthwebold;kimk;michael;patty;tdlarson;tomm;george.hom;66.144.133.14;ftp.dps.state.oh.us;misweb2;city-webmail;ch-postfix2.canton.lan;192.168.33.108;kronos;192.168.33.109;kron-test"
        CreateValue HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyServer",strProxyServer,REG_SZ
        CreateValue HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyEnable",1,REG_DWORD
        CreateValue HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyOverride",strProxyOveride,REG_SZ
        wscript.echo "Proxy Enabled" & vbcrlf & "(" & strProxyServer & ")"
        REM strMessage = "Proxy Enabled" & vbcrlf & "(" & strProxyServer & ")"
   End If
   ' Display A Message
   REM Msgbox strMessage, 0, "Proxy Toggle: Status"
End Sub

Function CreateValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName,Value,KeyType)
   Select Case KeyType
        Case REG_SZ
            CreateValue = oReg.SetStringValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName,Value)
        Case REG_EXPAND_SZ
            CreateValue = oReg.SetExpandedStringValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName,Value)
        Case REG_BINARY
            CreateValue = oReg.SetBinaryValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName,Value)
        Case REG_DWORD
            CreateValue = oReg.SetDWORDValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName,Value)
        Case REG_MULTI_SZ
            CreateValue = oReg.SetMultiStringValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName,Value)
   End Select
End Function

Function DeleteValue(Key, SubKey, ValueName)
   DeleteValue = oReg.DeleteValue(Key,SubKey,ValueName)
End Function

Function GetValue(Key, SubKey, ValueName, KeyType)
   Dim Ret
   Select Case KeyType
        Case REG_SZ
            oReg.GetStringValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_EXPAND_SZ
            oReg.GetExpandedStringValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_BINARY
            oReg.GetBinaryValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_DWORD
            oReg.GetDWORDValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_MULTI_SZ
            oReg.GetMultiStringValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
   End Select
   GetValue = Ret
End Function

ProxySetting.vbs:
Const HKCU=&H80000001 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Const HKLM=&H80000002 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Const REG_SZ=1
Const REG_EXPAND_SZ=2
Const REG_BINARY=3
Const REG_DWORD=4
Const REG_MULTI_SZ=7
Const HKCU_IE_PROXY = "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings"
Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:!root/default:StdRegProv")

Main

Sub Main()
    If GetValue(HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyEnable",REG_DWORD) = 1 AND Len(GetValue(HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyServer",REG_SZ)) > 0 Then
        ' If Proxy is set
        strProxyServer = GetValue(HKCU,HKCU_IE_PROXY,"ProxyServer",REG_SZ)
        wscript.echo "Proxy Enabled" & vbcrlf & "(" & strProxyServer & ")"
    Else
        ' If Proxy is not set
        wscript.echo "Proxy Disabled"
    End If
End Sub

Function GetValue(Key, SubKey, ValueName, KeyType)
    Dim Ret
    Select Case KeyType
        Case REG_SZ
            oReg.GetStringValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_EXPAND_SZ
            oReg.GetExpandedStringValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_BINARY
            oReg.GetBinaryValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_DWORD
            oReg.GetDWORDValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
        Case REG_MULTI_SZ
            oReg.GetMultiStringValue Key, SubKey, ValueName, Value
            Ret = Value
    End Select
    GetValue = Ret
End Function

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