DHCP – There can be only ONE!

Well not really, there can be others but that out of the “scope” of this article. Once in awhile a problem comes into the network, either through a hacker or uneducated user, that they add a device (router, personal server, Linksys wireless router, etc) to the network.  What happens then is a conflict between your original DHCP server and the newly added device.

When this happens certain things may occur…

• Your workstations will get a IP from either your authorized DHCP or the rogue device.
• Workstations will not be able to connect to the Internet
• Workstations or Server may have duplicate IP addresses which means, no connectivity!
• Your authorized DHCP may get intermittent problems, such as not receiving pings.

Anyway, all of the above was such my case one fine Monday morning.  It isn’t fun because it wasn’t until I replaced network cables, switched NICs, and did a few other tests that I realized a rogue device was on my network.  So let me help you skip past all this mess and download a Microsoft tool to detect Rogue DHCP servers.

Rogue DHCP Server Detection

In short, there are a few other resources you can lean on for more in depth detection but I’ll suggest a tool for now.  DHCP Server Prevention is an entirely more difficult task and more complex, so I wont cover that in this article.  For the time being, and for diagnosis I suggest Microsoft’s Rogue DHCP Server Detection Tool.  You can download it below.

http://blogs.technet.com/teamdhcp/attachment/3260962.ashx

I’d like anyone else’s advice or experience with these problems!  I know we’re all in the same boat once in awhile when it comes to DHCP issues and connectivity!

Ever had someone call you and explain their computer problems or the series of events that led to some kind of error?  Of course if you’re in IT support most problems are explained like this: “Nothing is working!”.  Kind of broad.  It’s time to put on our thinking caps TftM fans!  I recently came across a very simple to use website that you can use to help find out the specific problem on someone’s PC – as THEY see it.

So you aren’t sitting right next to them but you can still ask them, “Show me whats wrong” and they will be able to.  In my job I am often not able to sit in front of someone to watch for the error to pop up (or the series of events that lead to it).  Technicians will appreciate this tool because it adds a ton of insight into the “Nothing works!” user-diagnosis.  Lets jump in and see how it works.

“Show Me Whats Wrong!”

Step 1: Go to ShowMeWhatsWrong website tool

Step 2: They will ask for your name and email address.  Basically, you fill that out and hit GENERATE. 

Step 3: A website address will be assigned for you to send to your friends and family.  Copy this down and send it to whomever says “Nothing is working on the PC!”

Step 4: Great!  Your part is done.  Now when someone uses the link you sent via email it will bring them to the above screen.  They enter their name and click Start Recording.

User Interaction

What will happen is that it records everything on their screen including audio from their microphone (if they have one). The simple screen below will pop up and basically start recording. The user can then perform the series of events that led to the error and when done, just click STOP. 

Simple user interface!

Conclusion

It will process the video, upload, and send an email to you!  Pretty awesome right? I think this tool is a boon to anyone who likes helping out friends and family, right on down to the typical IT Technician who wants more clarity on a problem.  It’s a nice tool/favorite to keep in your browser so check out ShowMeWhatsWrong. 

You’ll get an email after they process the screen/mic capture like this

Obviously, this does not give you a hands-on way of fixing the problem but it can give you more information to research a problem before attempting to fix it.  If you want to do more hands-on remote support then I suggest checking out my article on Remote Access with LogMeIn.  What tools do you like to use to get to your pc remotely, help friends, or diagnose problems?

INSTALLING A HUSBAND

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0 .

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as
* Romance 9.5 and
* Personal Attention 6.5,

and then installed undesirable programs , such as

* NHL 5.0,
* NFL 3.0 and
* Golf Clubs 4.1

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2. 6 simply crashes the system.

* Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?

Signed,

Desperate.

DEAR DESPERATE ,

First, keep in mind,
* Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while
* Husband 1.0 is an operating system.

Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update.
* If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5 , Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1 .
* Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.

In addition, please do not attempt to re-install the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0 .

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend:
* Cooking 3.0 and
* Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Good Luck Desperate

Tech Support

Do not pass up the opportunity to get your hands on this software early and upgrade.  We’ve waited long enough through Vista – Why wait more?  Start computing on a modern AND stable operating System!

~ James