Change folder background in exlorer (Win XP)

Scenario: You want to change the explorer background of a folder on an Windows XP computer.

Step 1.

Open a command prompt and run the command attrib +s c:\test

Where C:\test should be replaced with the path to folder of your choice.

Step 2.

Browse to the folder, open the Tools menu, choose Folder options. Pick the tab View. Make sure Show hidden files are checked and Hide protected operating system files are unchecked.

Step 3.

You should now see a file called system.ini (otherwise, just create it using notepad).

Add the following lines to it.

[ExtShellFolderViews]
{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC} = {BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}

[{BE098140-A513-11D0-A3A4-00C04FD706EC}]
Attributes=1
IconArea_Image=path_of_the_wallpaper
IconArea_Text=0x00000000

Save and close notepad. Close the folder and open it. The background should now have changed.

Kerberos pre-authentication failed on DC from 127.0.0.1

Scenario: You recieve a large amount of Event ID 675 on a DC where client Adress is 127.0.0.1. It is usally from the administrator account.

This can be a result of a number of issues, first check that no service or process is using the particular account.

In my case it was problem with the DHCP DNS registration that were set to use the Administrator account. So, go look at:

Manage Your Server –> Manage this DHCP server –> In the DHCP dialog; right click the server and choose Properties –> Advanced tab –> Credentials. Make sure the account entered there have necessary rights and that the password is correctly entered (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816592 for details).

Wake computers to enable remote management

Scenario: You want to remotely administrate client computers but can’t connect because they have went to sleep.

Step 1. Enable WOL.

Open the properties for the network card, choose Power Management, make sure Allow this device to bring the computer out of standby and Only allow management stations to bring the computer out of standby are both checked. In Windows 7 the latter refers to a “magic packet”.

Note that only enabling WOL in windows will not make it possible to wake a turned off computer or computer hibernating, only wake a computer in “sleep mode”. To be able to wake a turned off computer you need BIOS support. Enter BIOS and look for WOL / Wake on LAN, it is usually under “Power options”.

Step 2. Send a magic packet

This can be carried out in a number of ways. Here is an easy to use tool: http://www.gammadyne.com/cmdline.htm#wol