Recent Posts

326

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 18, 2015, 12:11 PM »

I've got 30 virtual systems running on 2 physical Hyper-V servers here at the office. The two physical host machines run in a secondary (forest and) domain that is completely invisible to the production systems, and the whole shebang has been rock stable for the ~2 years we've had it in operation.

I replicated the configuration for a local school last year (which I also manage for them), and they too have been quite happy with it.

So list me under Hugh fan of Hyper-V!

-Stoic Joker (August 18, 2015, 06:49 AM)

I would like to do this.  how should I think about this?  here's what I'm thinking...
my main purpose for the server is to be a central storage server
I'll also use AD and domain services for managing all the home devices
I won't do too much more than that on the server itself, maybe run a couple of shared applications, but most of the software will be on local machines.

So, using hyper-v, how is this supposed to be organized?  I basically will have one tower for the physical server.  The only additional boxes would be for more storage.

from reading 40's post above, i want to know what gets installed on the bare metal, and what can be run from a hyper-v VM...
Does AD and the main server go on the bare metal?
And then do I run the applications on a VM?
is there a rule of thumb about what gets on a VM and what doesn't?  From what I've read so far, it sounds like AD should be on the main host OS, and nothing else.  In my case, I'll also install the software raid on the main host OS, but I actually don't think I have to with the way it works.

327

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 17, 2015, 04:00 PM »

whoa 40...I like where you are headed with this.  I don't understand hypervisor yet, other than it means a virtual machine, lol.  It sounds like you are planning to have one central server machine with sub-servers running under it in virtualization.  If that's the case, that is ultimately my goal also.  You mention DAW...are you saying that you are going to be comfortable running a DAW on some kind of vm? 

328

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 15, 2015, 05:45 PM »

The first option I considered was using the new windows storage spaces.  I actually tried it, and it was nice.  However, it wasn't terribly fast (although flexraid isn't that much faster, but still faster), it felt more complicated to setup, and it seemed to have more restrictions on it.  Also, the refs file system (which I also tried) isn't proven yet from what i read, and it also has certain restrictions vs ntfs(although those restrictions are not things i care about).  Ultimately, i chose flexraid because of the one fact that you can pull out a drive any time and access the files.  I like that so much, and even in this beginning stage, it's proving to be handy.  My setup is all screwed up, but I'm still able to access my files.  I tried the zfs option with a linux distro also...but quickly got scared, real quick lol!  Like at the startup command prompt to install the OS.  I don't have the time to get used to that right now.

I'll definitely make an image once i get the new one setup.  This is turning out to be a lot of work.  I've been spending most of my free time on it the past 2 weeks.  But having a server with a large storage capacity is already improving my life.  I have all these files all over the place in different media, etc., and i've been managing it for years, and i'm getting tired of it.  I'm looking forward to having a box or two where everything goes.  And i'm also interested in unifying all my increasing number of devices i'm using for different reasons.  You were right, having a server is great...kind of a turning point.

i've been reading about hard drives a lot.  Thanks for recommending the enterprise drives, i wasn't convinced previously.  it's still confusing...take western digital...they've added so many colors the past few years, it's so confusing.  I liked their black caviar drives previously because of the 5 year warranty.  These used to be considered their enterprise drives.  but now they are calling it their "desktop performance" drives.  They also have their NAS drives, which are Red.  And a Red Pro, which is like more enterprise but still desktop, lol.  Their new line of real enterprise drives are called RE, funny enough ("real enterprise?").  the 4TB ones are running around $245 on newegg.  I'm not familiar with the enterprise line of other brands.  I'm fine with the cost, I experienced the deathstars in the early 2000s and have since tried to not compromise on hard drive quality for any kind of cost purpose.

oy...so much stuff.  I tried for a couple years to convince one of my friends or cousins to make me a server, but I wasn't manipulative enough.

@SB - I forgot to ask...which version of Windows Server do you have? Standard, Essentials, etc.?

-40hz (August 15, 2015, 05:31 PM)

standard.

329

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 15, 2015, 12:54 PM »

Besides, it's all good exercise. Because many times you'll need to do a server twice when you're starting out with Windows server. One time to gain experience. The second time to set it up the way you now realize you should have done it in the first place.

-40hz (August 14, 2015, 06:02 PM)

Thanks!  This sounds accurate as to where I'm at right now.  I think I'm going to order a couple of large drives, copy the data that I don't have other places onto it, and redo the whole thing.  The dev said i don't have to do that, but no other suggestion is working.  And also, i haven't reported it, but during my troubleshooting process, I have been encountering errors on the drives that, while they may not be real (virtual part of the software raid), they are making me uncomfortable because of the amount of fiddling i am doing.  So i think i'm going to start over very soon.

also 40...you said to use ntfs permissions to control users...the dev says the opposite.  he says to use sharing permissions and leave ntfs fairly wide open.  and i think that's because of the way he has designed his software, in his words, to play "fast and loose" with ntfs permissions.  this raid solution is like this...you can pull out a drive and access the files no problem any time.  so all his raid is doing is like merging the same directories on different drives together (like windows libraries).  so i think that has to do with why he recommends the sharing.

i've checked my drives, and the ntfs permissions are rock solid and consistent everywhere.  basically full control for everyone and everything, with consistent inherited permissions (using the setacl studio software which is really helpful).

4wd, i have used that software!  it might have been the first thing i tried.  i'm slowly building my server troubleshooting kit.

330

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 13, 2015, 04:02 PM »

thanks 40, thanks everyone...

The advice given to me by the developer is to "reset" the NTFS permissions to standard.  Ok.  I've searched and searched, and I don't know what "standard" is.  And I use the tools like setacl studio which has a button for "reset permissions"...however, all that does is copy the permissions on the root folder (or selected folder) down thru subfolders.

To me, it sounds like there is a specific set of permissions that would be considered "standard".  How do I apply these settings to all my folders?  I've tried all these tools and they don't reset anything, they just apply my own custom permissions to subfolders and such.  Furthermore, i don't see any documentation that is basically a list of permissions that is considered standard.  I don't get it.

331

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 12, 2015, 10:56 PM »

friends, I'm still having difficulty with this.  I kind of feel i'm not understanding something about ntfs security or permissions.  But also, am I crazy, or is the developer in the thread below not being terribly helpful?  He has (understandably) refused to help out with ntfs issues that are unrelated to his product.  But I can't tell if I'm being annoying or if he's just being difficult.  I don't really care either way, I'd just like to be aware if I am having a fundamental misunderstanding about something.  here's the thread:
http://forum.flexrai...hp/topic,4984.0.html

some of my personal questions:
--are there such things as "standard" ntfs permissions?  if so, is there a way to quickly restore them once they have been manually removed?  I removed them accidentally, and I'd love to restore them back to default, but the only way i know to restore anything is to set each permission one by one and propagate them through the subfolders.  That is very manual.  is there any button i can press to just reset it back to some default mode?

--i'm think i'm going to just reinstall the whole os, format all the disks, and start from scratch.  I'll never mess with ntfs permissions again, i don't have a need to anyway.

332

Living Room / Re: I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 07, 2015, 09:18 AM »

I did use SetACL studio, it is good.  I've done a few rounds of these...I used setacl, i also did a lot with that advanced settings area in the normal properties dialog.  I did take ownership.  I did most of this with the array connected.

I think my plan should be to take ownership of the individual disks while not in the array, because once it's connected, i can't even access the files.  does it matter if i take ownership of a root ?  do i need to do all the subdirectories individually?  i don't think so, that's the point of all these tools.

333

Living Room / Re: Let's get it on.

« Last post by superboyac on August 07, 2015, 09:13 AM »

 

334

Living Room / I need help coming up with a plan to fix my NTFS security permissions problems

« Last post by superboyac on August 06, 2015, 04:51 PM »

If anyone wants to help me out with this, I'd appreciate it greatly.  Here's the background:

After a long time planning, I finally set up my custom storage server.  It's a box with several drives running a windows 2012 server.  After doing some tests and research, i settled on using the FLexraid Traid product, which is a drive pooling software raid system.  I initially tried the new windows storage spaces, but didn't like the speed and features.  Traid sold me on the fact that you can pull a drive out and the files and everything are intact without much fussing around at all.

OK, here's the problem.  I set up my first active directory domain services.  Then, unfortunately, I accidentally removed ALL the NTFS permissions from my main almost root folder.  This was bad and now I've lost access (access denied) on a lot of the folders on the storage array.  I've tried everything to reset the NTFS security and all that.  I tried all the tools out there.

Unfortunately, the developer of the software raid explicitly has said he will NOT spend a second helping people with NTFS security problems.  So I'm stuck on advice.  I've scoured the web and tried everything.

Some interesting facts:
--If I stop the storage array and just connect the drives individually, I can access all the files and folders.  I can also successfully modify the NTFS permissions with those tools mentioned.  When the array is active, however, I cannot access all the folders (access denied).  So that's why I'm confused.  The great thing about flexraid, the reason i got it, is because you can access the files in this manner.

My ideas:
--my first idea is to uninstall/reinstall active directory on the server.  or even reinstall the entire OS.  I have no idea if that will work, I guess I'm assuming if all the active directory details are reinstalled, maybe the files will think it's a new server and can start over?  i don't know.

--My other idea is to copy the contents of the drives to a temporary external drive, then copy them back over or something.  The problem with this is that I'm not sure i can delete the problem directories.  i don't want these broken directories forever on the server.

So I'll take any advice.  I don't think the files are damaged or anything.  Just the NTFS security.

335

Mouser's Zone / Re: Screenshot Captor Background Shadow colour

« Last post by superboyac on August 06, 2015, 12:32 AM »

i think i know the answer to that.
can you try this:

if you go to "More Interface Options" and change the "Canvas Background color" does that control the color uses behind the shadow?

-mouser (August 06, 2015, 12:07 AM)

i tell you, you have the greatest preferences dialogs.  only topped by dopus.

336

Official Announcements / Re: Backup any private posts you want to keep from the "My Personal Area" section

« Last post by superboyac on August 04, 2015, 12:06 AM »

ooo....my little black book of dc.  that's where i curse everyone here out in private, just to get it out of my system. 

337

General Software Discussion / Re: PSA: Woe to Thee Who Performs a Windows 10 Clean Install

« Last post by superboyac on August 02, 2015, 11:24 PM »

thanks for the info.  I have cancelled my automatic upgrade not for any reason other than i wasn't comfortable with the way it got integrated in my windows update and task tray.  Most likely, I'll wait a year or more before making any windows 10 upgrades to my machines that matter.  windows 7 and 8.1 are running smooth right now.

one of my very knowledgeable friends did the windows 10 upgrade and is very satisfied with it.  but he does the whole xbox thing and the thing he was raving about was the tight/smooth integration with windows 10 and xbox.

-superboyac (August 02, 2015, 05:29 PM)

One thing to keep in mind about Windows 7.  It is out of mainstream support right now, in the extended support period.  What does that mean?

https://support.micr.../en-us/gp/lifepolicy

or for a more to the point comparison

http://www.networkwo...xtended-support.html

-wraith808 (August 02, 2015, 08:07 PM)

ugh i hate this about ms.  whats happened is that ive installed windows 8 on computers i dont really care about to see how well it works.  but my main computer is windows 7.  now it's turning out that windows 8 is good, but my important activity is on windows 7.  im much less inclined to change things on my windows 7 computer because of this, so ive been holding off.  i tried once and ran into problems with uefi, so i quickly went back to the original setup.  i guess i'll have to plan for this eventually.

you cant admin windows 2012 servers remotely from windows 7.  very annoying.

338

General Software Discussion / Re: PSA: Woe to Thee Who Performs a Windows 10 Clean Install

« Last post by superboyac on August 02, 2015, 07:25 PM »

Most likely, I'll wait a year or more before making any windows 10 upgrades to my machines that matter.  windows 7 and 8.1 are running smooth right now.

-superboyac (August 02, 2015, 05:29 PM)

Don't wait that long. You'll miss out on the free upgrade. Nothing wrong with waiting 51 weeks before claiming it, though. There's supposed to be a big patch coming to clean up nonsense bugs such as this. Industry insiders say it could be released as early as next week.

Part of the problem is programs that aren't Windows 10-ready...even if the publisher says they are.

-Innuendo (August 02, 2015, 06:10 PM)

ok noted.  thanks.  didn't realize that.

339

General Software Discussion / Re: PSA: Woe to Thee Who Performs a Windows 10 Clean Install

« Last post by superboyac on August 02, 2015, 05:29 PM »

thanks for the info.  I have cancelled my automatic upgrade not for any reason other than i wasn't comfortable with the way it got integrated in my windows update and task tray.  Most likely, I'll wait a year or more before making any windows 10 upgrades to my machines that matter.  windows 7 and 8.1 are running smooth right now.

one of my very knowledgeable friends did the windows 10 upgrade and is very satisfied with it.  but he does the whole xbox thing and the thing he was raving about was the tight/smooth integration with windows 10 and xbox.

340

Living Room / Re: TouchPad for PC w/Windows 7 vs. carpal tunnel ?

« Last post by superboyac on August 01, 2015, 04:17 PM »

you serious about the copper band?  I am a little shocked.

-superboyac (July 31, 2015, 11:23 AM)

If this is a pun I got a charge out of it.  Don't let anyone give you any static for posting.  I am sure Mouser will insulate you from any negative reaction in spite of his native reluctance to do so in the ordinary case due to your magnetic personality.

-MilesAhead (August 01, 2015, 08:21 AM)

lol...glad you picked up on it, almost thought it was too nerdy (I'm an elec engr).
but i am serious about the question...i had dismissed these copper bracelets as nonsense earlier in my life.

lol at the other comments!

i knew about the IUD's (i think they're awsome!).  so maybe there is something to it.  sheesh...i'm so skeptical still.

341

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on August 01, 2015, 01:09 PM »

well, it just seems like you get more bang for the buck with the alibaba options.  the NUC seem to be ok...but the alibaba items sure seem to pack a lot of power in a small, fanless unit for pretty cheap.  I'm actually a little curious how they are.  but ultimately, i'm having a hard time comparing the specs and prices of these things.  the cpus are so confusing.

-superboyac (July 31, 2015, 03:31 PM)

Not an alibaba, but my foxconn seemed the same way- to pack punch into a small package.  The power supply was where the problem was, however.  And now it won't boot at all.

-wraith808 (July 31, 2015, 04:36 PM)

hmm...yes, that generally is the risk from these alibaba things.  the quality is going to be a gamble sometimes.  out of about 5 things I've gotten from them, one of them lasted (still there) a very long time...one was basically out of service within a month...and one was good, and then i left it plugged in for a long time while on (like a week) and then it stopped working.
so yea, there s that gamble.  not sure where i stand on it!  lol.  i've never bought anything quite this expensive or "serious".

342

General Software Discussion / Re: Question regarding Win10 upgrade

« Last post by superboyac on July 31, 2015, 03:47 PM »

uh oh.  i was kind of worried about this.  welcome back btw!!!

i also reserved when i saw the popup on the surface pro.  immediately after, i sort of regretted it because i didn't want to be "forced" into an upgrade.  The problem is that the notices is being built into the OS, and into the windows update, which is weird.  Should have been an email notice or something where you can click, and download whatever needs to be installed.  This feels more like a hostile takeover.

I'm going to try to avoid it for now until i get a few months of feedback from around the web.  Right now, we don't know how seamless the upgrade is going to be.  Will all your running programs still work?  Is it going to turn into a situation where it's better to "just reinstall the OS from scratch" rather than upgrade?

This site has some directions on how to deal with the situation:
https://techjourney....on-system-tray-icon/

I'll check it out and report back later this weekend.

343

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on July 31, 2015, 03:39 PM »

to point out some of the curiosity and convfusion...

there's this intel nuc available for around $300, with an  i3-5010U cpu.
there's an alibaba for around the same price (it seems, hard to tell) with a i5 4258u cpu.

this site says the i5 chip is more powerful:
http://cpuboss.com/c...-Intel-Core-i3-5010U

on both, it appears you have to add the ram and/or drives yourself, fine.  the alibaba one is fanless, the intel one is not.  so these are some of the factors.  to me, i'm leaning towards alibaba...i mean, i'm very curious if their device can deliver a great performance htpc while silent. 

344

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on July 31, 2015, 03:31 PM »

What do you guys think about these alibaba products that have enromous specs and cheap prices?  Take this one for example:
8GB RAM
intel i3
fanless/silent
~$300 (see attachment in previous post)

-superboyac (July 27, 2015, 02:53 PM)

Why not go for an Intel NUC from Newegg?

Comparable prices and a lot closer to home if you find a problem with it.

-4wd (July 28, 2015, 07:06 AM)

well, it just seems like you get more bang for the buck with the alibaba options.  the NUC seem to be ok...but the alibaba items sure seem to pack a lot of power in a small, fanless unit for pretty cheap.  I'm actually a little curious how they are.  but ultimately, i'm having a hard time comparing the specs and prices of these things.  the cpus are so confusing.

345

Living Room / Re: TouchPad for PC w/Windows 7 vs. carpal tunnel ?

« Last post by superboyac on July 31, 2015, 11:23 AM »

@bit: As a fellow sufferer of carpal tunnel syndrome, you have my every sympathy. I have used laptops with (variously) a thumb-ball mouse, a central pressure-sensitive joystick, a touchpad, and an ordinary mouse. My preference is for the touchpad, as these are ergonomically the most efficient - especially with, for example, chiral scrolling, the very large system pointer enabled, fast/accelerating pointer movement, constrained movement/direction using the Left Shift and Left Ctrl keys, and tap to lock-and-drag. Furthermore, the touchpad ergonomics definitely minimises the necessary movement of ligaments through the carpal tunnels.

Though I consider homoeopathy to be a fraud (mumbo-jumbo), I became pretty pragmatic about "non-medical" healthcare after the incredible curative effects on me of a couple of "experiments" I put myself through, one of which was wearing a simple copper bracelet (in 1998). Years of chronic back aches and pains, arthritic knee pains and severe chronic tina sinovitis (carpal tunnel syndrome) simply stopped within about 36 hours of putting the bracelet on - and this was at a time when I was in major pain in both arms as a result of aggravating the TS by doing some heavy labouring involving repetitive use of a builder's heavy lump hammer. It was going to take months to get better, and would have needed medication (anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relief).
What a great lifetime relief. Probably no-one was more surprised than me about this. I have given the bracelet to other people with similar aches/pains to try out, and it seems to have had no effect. If I take the bracelet off, then after about 4 weeks or so, the twinges start to come back, but they disappear quickly when I put the bracelet back on. I reckon it's an electro-chemical effect, and luckily it probably makes up for some deficiency in my metabolism.

After years of having to roll out of bed in the mornings due to chronic backache, I am now used to sitting up in bed and getting out of bed like a normal person, again. I never believed that a simple band of Cu could have done that.

-IainB (July 31, 2015, 07:55 AM)

you serious about the copper band?  I am a little shocked.

346

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on July 27, 2015, 06:10 PM »

Either the picture is misleading, the specs are lying, or it will burn up on arrival LOL   There's a reason for the specs on the CPU.

-wraith808 (July 27, 2015, 03:35 PM)

I'm curious enough to give it a try.  So small, so cheap, and great specs.  it *may* die quickly, which is the only bad experience i've had with this kind of stuff.  but i've also been very impressed by some of my alibaba experiments too.  A few years ago I got a tiny little credit card size media player kind of like an htpc, and it was great.  still works and can play just about anything under 720p.

347

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on July 27, 2015, 02:53 PM »

What do you guys think about these alibaba products that have enromous specs and cheap prices?  Take this one for example:
8GB RAM
intel i3
fanless/silent
~$300

348

Living Room / Re: Your favorite cartoons of yesterday and today?

« Last post by superboyac on July 24, 2015, 11:56 AM »

Has anyone mentioned beavis and butthead yet?

349

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on July 24, 2015, 08:49 AM »

well, i think we should distinguish two kinds of devices, that may have different roles to play.

You found the WD TV -- that will have LESS flexibility, LESS expandability, and LESS POWER (?) -- but it will be a set top box, preinstalled with software ready to be a media player with a nice interface.
I gather that the Zbox unit is basically a windows box, designed for use as an htpc.  So you'll still have to install media software, show the person how to run the right programs, etc.

So for setting up a non-pc-savvy family relative, you might still have some pros and cons to weigh..

-mouser (July 23, 2015, 11:29 PM)

Yes, less on the flexibility. It really depends on what you mean by expandability.  If it's storage, then the answer is no.  Less power?  Than these zotacs?  Not by much if at all, and definitely less noticable, since the interface is made for the power.  I've had one of these mini-devices, and it was a lifesaver when my wife and children's mains went down... we just cycled them through it, and other than the fact that my wife lost use of photoshop, they were great for browsing and using office.  But they were definitely quite slower.

-wraith808 (July 24, 2015, 08:10 AM)

are you saying the zotac will struggle more with video playback than the WD TV?

350

Living Room / Re: I'm ready to join the HTPC (home theater pc) revolution - what to get?

« Last post by superboyac on July 23, 2015, 11:14 PM »

Earlier this year, I replaced a desktop PC that I had been using as an HTPC with this Zotac ZBOX-BI320-U-W2. I paid under $200 at the time.  It comes with a licensed copy of 64-bit Windows 8.1 preloaded on a 64GB SSD.  It has 2GB of RAM installed and supports up to 16GB, but the since the installed memory is on a single DIMM with one slot free, you can upgrade to 6GB very cheaply just by adding a 4GB laptop DIMM. The pre-installed SSD is an mSATA card, leaving the internal SATA slot free, so you can install a 2.5" HDD or SSD for additional internal storage. 

I'm very pleased with the unit.  It's tiny, completely silent and worked right out of the box without any hassles. Even installing additional RAM and an HDD was easy enough for a complete novice. It feels much snappier than the nominally much more powerful Core-2 Duo system it replaced.  While it may not be up to multitasking multiple browsers and desktop applications, it has no problem running any kind of multimedia, including streaming HD-video.  The integrated HDMI port supports 5.1 surround sound nicely through my receiver, which is actually more important to me than video, and with 4 USB 3.0 ports plus Gigabit Ethernet, it can connect to anything I want.

In the past, I've tended to recycle older systems for multimedia purposes, but this has been so much easier that I doubt I'll ever do that again.

-xtabber (July 23, 2015, 09:37 PM)

Thanks xtabber and mouser.  I think I am convinced of the zbox.