USB Patch Deployed

The long awaited patch for fixing the USB/Flash Drive problem that many of you have been experiencing on imaged machines has been deployed. You can find the patch on your local server under the vol1:\install\tools\usbpatch folder. Locate and open the readme.txt file in this directory for directions on how to apply the patch. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Fixing the False-Positive Detection of NTDLL.DLL as a Virus

On 3/19/2007, Authentium released a bad definition file that causes Command Antivirus to give a false-positive reading on the file “ntdll.dll”. This only affects Windows 2000 machines. The bad definition file tells Command to flag ntdll.dll as a virus even though it is not infected.

Authentium has already released a new version of the definition file, and we have pushed this new version to our school servers. The problem is that Command’s Dynamic Virus Protection service starts when Windows loads and immediately begins flagging the ntdll.dll file as a virus. This slows the machine down tremendously because it overloads the system resources. Please follow these instructions to turn off the dynamic virus protection and update the definition files.

1. Right-click on the Command Antivirus for Windows system tray icon (located in the bottom right corner by the clock – it is a yellow “C”)

2. Left-Click Configure Dynamic Virus Protection

3. Uncheck the box that says Enable Dynamic Virus Protection and Click OK.

4. Reboot your computer and login to the network so that these settings take effect and Command will download the newest version of the definition files.


Once the definition files have been updated, follow these steps to turn dynamic virus protection back on (NOTE: If these steps are not completed, the system will be unprotected):

1. Right-click on the Command Antivirus for Windows system tray icon (located in the bottom right corner by the clock – it is a yellow “C”)

2. Left-Click Configure Dynamic Virus Protection

3. Check the box that says Enable Dynamic Virus Protection and Click OK.

4. Reboot your computer so that these settings take effect.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via email at mbest@lenoir.k12.nc.us or cdecker@lenoir.k12.nc.us.

Daylight Savings Time

As you all know, Daylight Savings Time (DST) began 3 weeks early this year (March 11, 2007). We have been busy over the past few weeks patching servers in preparation for the time change. As far as we know, we currently have an issue with only one server having incorrect time. The GroupWise Server that handles all Lenoir County Schools email is currently one hour ahead of the actual time. If you have any problems with the time change affecting applications or computers, please contact us.

Microsoft Releases 8 New Security Patches

As part of Microsoft's regular patching schedule, they have announced that they will release 8 new security patches on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. They are:

• Three Microsoft Security Bulletins affecting Microsoft Windows. The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. This update will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and the Enterprise Scan Tool. This update will require a restart.

• One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Visual Studio. The highest Maximum Severity rating for this is Important. This update will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and the Enterprise Scan Tool. This update will require a restart.

• One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. The highest Maximum Severity rating for this is Important. This update will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. This update may require a restart.

• Three Microsoft Security Bulletins affecting Microsoft Office. The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. These updates may require a restart.

In addition to the security updates, they will be releasing an updated version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Microsoft Releases Vista Requirements

Microsoft has published the requirements for Vista capable machines. According to Microsoft, a Vista capable machine must have at least:

-800 MHZ Processor

-512 MB of RAM

-A graphics card that is DirectX 9 compatible

-20 GB of hard drive space

These are absolute minimum requirements, the Vista recommended requirements are:

-1 GHZ Processor

-1 GB of RAM

-A DirectX 9 Compatible Video card with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of RAM, and 2.0 pixel shader

-40 GB of hard drive space

Even with the above specs, you will still feel Vista is sluggish. At least 2 GB of RAM will make things much faster.

IE7 Surfing Slow? Change Your Security Settings

Internet Explorer 7 comes with a few security upgrades that, according to Microsoft, help prevent infiltrations by hackers, malicious programs, spyware/malware and adware. The problem is that these upgrades cause a severe slowdown in browsing speed, making it downright frustrating to surf the Internet.By following these simple steps, you can turn off some of the security settings that come built-in to IE7, and greatly speed up your Internet browsing.

NOTE: These instructions only apply to Internet Explorer 7

1. Open Internet Explorer 7.

2. Click on the Tools button in the top right corner.

3. Click on Internet Options on the pull-down menu.

4. Click on the Advanced Tab.

5. Scroll down until you find the Security section.

6. Uncheck the following boxes:

a. Check for publisher’s certificate revocation

b. Check for signatures on downloaded programs

c. Enable Integrated Windows Authentication

7. Check the box to Disable Phishing Filter.

8. Click OK to return to IE7.

9. Close and reopen your browser so that the changes take effect.

Novell Releases Client 4.91 SP3

Novell recently released the newest version of client for Windows 2000/XP, Novell Client 4.91 Service Pack 3. The upgrade fixes a large list of bugs. However, we do not suggest upgrading to SP3 at this time, as we are still in the process of testing the new client for compatibility. We will keep you posted on our progress.

List of bug fixes - http://www.novell.com/documentation/noclienu/clientreadme/data/ncw_readme_sp3.html#bupghcr

Microsoft Office 2007

Microsoft released the newest version of it's productivity suite, Office 2007, on November 30, 2006 to business customers. The release is the first major overhaul of the software since 2003, and will be available to consumers in January of 2007.

The most noticeable change is the introduction of the "Ribbon", a new graphical user interface (GUI) that replaces the menu and toolbars that users are currently familiar with. The ribbon is essentially a widget that is exposed across the top of the window that shows what the program can do. Microsoft claims that this will consolidate all the related functionalities in one place and hence improve usability and ease of interaction. Office 2007 also includes new applications and server-side tools to improve collaboration and communication.

Another major change (and something to take note of) is that Office 2007 will use a new file format to save documents, known as OpenXML. This format is based on XML and uses a ZIP file container to compress files. This compression will lead to a 75% reduction in the size of files produced in Office 2007, however, this will also cause some issues with trading files between Office versions. Users of old Office versions will have to download a plugin in order to view and edit documents produced in the OpenXML format.

The goal of the new Microsoft Office user interface is to make it easier for people to use applications to deliver better results faster. The new design makes it easier to find powerful features by replacing menus and toolbars with a Ribbon that organizes and presents capabilities in a way that corresponds more directly to how people work. The streamlined screen layout and dynamic results-oriented galleries enable users to spend more time focused on their work and less time trying to get the application to do what they want it to do. As a result, Microsoft claims that people will find it much easier and quicker to produce great looking documents, high-impact presentations, effective spreadsheets, and powerful desktop database applications.

You can try out a free online demo of the new Office 2007 at http://www.runaware.com/microsoft/en-us/2007office/td . Let us know what you think.

The New Office 2007 Icons

Adobe Reader 8 Released

Adobe recently released the newest version of its Reader software, citing a new, streamlined interface with user customizable toolbars and security concerns as reasons to upgrade. Adobe also recently revealed that it's Reader 7.0 software had a critical security vulnerability that could allow a hacker to take over a computer. The new version fixes this issue.

Adobe Reader 8 features a “Start Meeting” button that launches Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional, an Adobe-hosted software service that provides real-time online collaboration through Adobe Flash Player. The company claims that the new streamlined user interface and graphics acceleration in Reader 8 will enable people to more easily engage with ideas and information.

You can download the new version at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html .

Are you blogging? Your students are!

Don’t believe me? Ask them…

I know you have heard of Myspace.com (which by the way, was reported in January 2006 to have more than 50 million users, and was growing by more than 160,000 users per day). Popular sites such as Myspace and LiveJournal allow your students to blog about anything at anytime. Wow! Who would have ever thought that our kids would have such an amazing communications tool at their fingertips? Scary? Or Exciting?!?!

The great thing is, you can reach them in their world… You have access to the same tools that your students are utilizing on a daily basis to build social networks and share their thoughts. Take 5 minutes and read the article entitled “Owning the Teaching…and the Learning”, posted Nov 3, 2006 at weblogg-ed by Will Richardson.

What do you think? Will makes some very valid points.

Our kids are living in the present. Is our educational system stuck in the past?

100 Million Websites!

The web now has 100 million websites...

Read article from CNN.com

Biometrics In the Lunch Room?!?!

Check this out.. A Cafeteria in Georgia uses fingerprint scanners to speed up lunch lines!

How do you feel about the use of biometrics in our schools? It would be interesting to hear what some of you think about this.

Hacker Claims iPod Restrictions Cracked!

A famous hacker claims that he has cracked the restrictions that Apple places on iPods. These restrictions allow Apple to keep iPod owners from purchasing music from online stores other than iTunes and also keep iTunes downloads from playing on many other types of portable MP3 players. Full article here:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/10/24/ipod.code.ap/index.html

Microsoft Releases Internet Exporer 7

Finally, Microsoft attempts to play catch up to competitors Firefox and Opera with it's newest release of Internet Explorer (ver. 7).

"So what does upgrading do for me?" you ask. Well, basically Internet Explorer 7 now allows all the faithful IE users to enjoy the same benefits that Firefox and Opera users have had for some time. Some of these new features include a maximized viewing area, tabbed browsing, live search, built in RSS feed support, and new built in security features.

I downloaded IE7 today, so I have not used it enough to develop a fair opinion. I will be sure to get back to you on this at a later date. I challenge you to be adventurous and download IE7. Let us know what you think!

HELP! - My Motherboard has died and it won't boot up!

Computer won't boot? Lose video signal after just a few minutes? IT JUST HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN! Hmmm.... That brown crud looks real tasty doesn't it?

Ah yes! Another one bites the dust. We have been replacing motherboards in GX270's left and right since last school year. Most of you have probably heard from your friendly technician that there are issues with bad capacitors on many of the motherboards used in GX270's. I thought that you might want more information on what exactly causes this problem. Visit badcaps.net for a very detailed description of the problem and how to identify that you have a board with bad capacitors.

As usual, if you expect that you have a bad motherboard, just enter a workorder and we will be happy to take a look at it for you! (Don't forget to include the service tag!)