User's PC is unstable
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@StorageNinja said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
Spinrite wouldn't report any issues
Sooooo that hasn't been updated in over 10 years. Also, who the hell is using magnetic drives for boot/applications?!?!
I'd expect office to pause/stutter, that's known behavior for running it from magnetic media.
Spinrite has been shown to solve issues on SSDs as well. The user has an SSD.
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@StorageNinja said in User's PC is unstable:
@Obsolesce said in User's PC is unstable:
Like RemoteApp?
They'll need the licensing for it.Streaming from O365 is bundled with a number of the licensing tiers (we have it, I use it to run the full version of Excel on my Mac). You also can run RDSH in trial mode for 90 days if memory serves.
Given it's been 10 years though, and the user (presumably has work to do in excel) having excel run somewhere else might just be a good way to move on to more important things even if it costs $100-200 (Unless Dash's time is free!)
We don't have O365. Where would it stream from? And by stream, I assume you just mean a RDSH server. I also assume you mean for me to setup an RDSH server ($900 license) and a RDSH license ($125) for this one user. Sure, I can likely do a 90 day test for this user.
On the plus side, I do have Office Pro Plus 2016 VA licenses, and those can be used on RDSH, so no requirement to buy O365 E3 or better. -
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
@Emad-R said in User's PC is unstable:
That said, nothing helps it more than fresh Windows Install + latest .net + latest C++ and good stable version of it. Also use the 32-bit , and disable addons and macros
He's done at least most of that already, more than once, I believe.
Yep, every new computer was a fresh install of Windows and all other components. As already mentioned, until recently I had only been deploying 32 bit versions of Office, but recently changed to 64 bit versions. We don't use any add-ons here, and macros are disabled by default in Office these days.
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@wirestyle22 said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@wirestyle22 said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
no, the Excel sheets are unique to her. Sadly.
I'd love to blame the user, but I just don't see her doing anything unusual. In fact, from a general perspective, she's one of the least likely people to be doing weird/bad things on her computer.
I'd still test it with a Mandatory roaming profile
Why do you think a mandatory roaming profile would make any difference? I'm curious the thought process here?
She has no roaming profile at all. She saves 90%+ of her stuff to her redirected Documents folder. Documents and Favorites(IE) are the only redirected folders - While directing the desktop can work, I've seen some issues with it and try to avoid it when possible.
Because it's a pre-configured profile. It would prevent her from being able to make any permanent changes to her profile. If it is a case of the user doing something wrong this would be a good way of finding out.
eh? Not following - the user would be unable to save changes to the profile - sure, might not even be able to make specific changes, i.e. add a printer, save to the desktop, etc.... But those types of things should have zero bearing on this issue - right?
I suppose I could do that as a test - but my boss frequently saves things to her desktop. Removing that ability, even for a test, would be frustrating to say the least.
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@wirestyle22 said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@wirestyle22 said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
no, the Excel sheets are unique to her. Sadly.
I'd love to blame the user, but I just don't see her doing anything unusual. In fact, from a general perspective, she's one of the least likely people to be doing weird/bad things on her computer.
I'd still test it with a Mandatory roaming profile
Why do you think a mandatory roaming profile would make any difference? I'm curious the thought process here?
She has no roaming profile at all. She saves 90%+ of her stuff to her redirected Documents folder. Documents and Favorites(IE) are the only redirected folders - While directing the desktop can work, I've seen some issues with it and try to avoid it when possible.
Because it's a pre-configured profile. It would prevent her from being able to make any permanent changes to her profile. If it is a case of the user doing something wrong this would be a good way of finding out.
eh? Not following - the user would be unable to save changes to the profile - sure, might not even be able to make specific changes, i.e. add a printer, save to the desktop, etc.... But those types of things should have zero bearing on this issue - right?
I suppose I could do that as a test - but my boss frequently saves things to her desktop. Removing that ability, even for a test, would be frustrating to say the least.
She's being inconvenienced right now. She needs to be willing to be inconvenienced further to determine the issue. If she isn't then the situation is resolved as fully as it can be until she changes her mind. I wouldn't have suggested this if the new computers weren't fine for awhile and then started running into issues every single time. I think it's a good test considering that.
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@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
she's one of the least likely people to be doing weird/bad things on her computer.
I hear similar logic when former friends/family talk about convicted murderers ...
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@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
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@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
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@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
So keep their current PC - and just move their files to the cloud - and see if the problems go away? What exactly does that prove?
I'm sitting down ready to get blasted for how stupid I must be for asking.
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
So keep their current PC - and just move their files to the cloud - and see if the problems go away? What exactly does that prove?
I'm sitting down ready to get blasted for how stupid I must be for asking.
As I understand it, he was recommending use of Excel Online as well, instead of the locally installed one.
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
So keep their current PC - and just move their files to the cloud - and see if the problems go away? What exactly does that prove?
I'm sitting down ready to get blasted for how stupid I must be for asking.
You are separating the PC problem from the suspected excel problem.
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@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
So keep their current PC - and just move their files to the cloud - and see if the problems go away? What exactly does that prove?
I'm sitting down ready to get blasted for how stupid I must be for asking.
You are separating the PC problem from the suspected excel problem.
OK - You've focused entire to much on Excel - sure the crux of the issue has been around Excel - but the problems are in no way limited to Excel. They affect all parts of the system.
When using Outlook - the system will be super slow to respond, bring up data from Exchange (Outlook is in online mode only).
When using Explorer to search network drives, they will be slow to bring up search results, or slow to respond to moving files from one folder to another.
When printing - sometimes the print job never happens or errors out.The only thing I can think that she doesn't complain about - it surfing the web - that seems to work OK.
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@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
So keep their current PC - and just move their files to the cloud - and see if the problems go away? What exactly does that prove?
I'm sitting down ready to get blasted for how stupid I must be for asking.
You are separating the PC problem from the suspected excel problem.
OK - You've focused entire to much on Excel - sure the crux of the issue has been around Excel - but the problems are in no way limited to Excel. They affect all parts of the system.
When using Outlook - the system will be super slow to respond, bring up data from Exchange (Outlook is in online mode only).
When using Explorer to search network drives, they will be slow to bring up search results, or slow to respond to moving files from one folder to another.
When printing - sometimes the print job never happens or errors out.The only thing I can think that she doesn't complain about - it surfing the web - that seems to work OK.
You're telling me all systems that this person has used have these issues across the board?
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@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@Dashrender said in User's PC is unstable:
@IRJ said in User's PC is unstable:
@scottalanmiller said in User's PC is unstable:
Common factors are: user and Excel.
Assuming other users use Excel for the same spreadsheets without issues, common factor is just the user.
My thoughts exactly after reading through this whole thread.
If I was in @Dashrender position, I would push for a hosted app solution for this user. Deep down we know it is the user, but using a hosted solution gives this user (in this case, your boss) no more chances to correlate the issue to excel. Only one constant remains and at this point it wont even need to be noted because it will be obvious.
I would buy O365 license for one month and have the user test out using on Excel Online.
OK - Let's say I stand up a RDSH server - what lock downs do you do on the server to 'prevent the user from screwing up the system'?
i.e. how is she screwing up a local PC as a non admin, where she won't be able to on an RDSH box?
or are you suggesting that I move all of her excel files into OneDrive for Business and force her to use Excel Online?
We have a pretty good feeling it is the user, but this is the next logical step in troubleshooting. Having someone who is having constant issues test doing something differently for a week isn't the end of the world. Someone mentioned earlier that she is going to have to make some type of sacrifice if she wants the issue to be diagnosed.
You didn't answer the question - at min - which option are you pushing? building a RDSH server and moving her to that, or buying O365 and moving all of her files to OD4B and using Excel Online?
I am recommending O365 as a troubleshooting step as it is the path of least resistance and work.
So keep their current PC - and just move their files to the cloud - and see if the problems go away? What exactly does that prove?
I'm sitting down ready to get blasted for how stupid I must be for asking.
You are separating the PC problem from the suspected excel problem.
OK - You've focused entire to much on Excel - sure the crux of the issue has been around Excel - but the problems are in no way limited to Excel. They affect all parts of the system.
When using Outlook - the system will be super slow to respond, bring up data from Exchange (Outlook is in online mode only).
When using Explorer to search network drives, they will be slow to bring up search results, or slow to respond to moving files from one folder to another.
When printing - sometimes the print job never happens or errors out.The only thing I can think that she doesn't complain about - it surfing the web - that seems to work OK.
You're telling me all systems that this person has used have these issues across the board?
yes.
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I thought of something else that in unique to this user.
She VPNs in from home (VPN to the firewall) and RDPs into her desktop several times a week. She uses a work provided laptop (only thing that has the VPN client setup on it) to make this connection.
She's been doing this for more like 15 years... so for the first 5 years of her doing it, she was in the old building, not having any of these weird issues.
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Maybe this is crazy, but thought I'd throw it out there.
Is it possible to move this PC to another part of the building for a couple of days? Either have the user move with it or RDS into it while it's in a different office or server room, etc.?
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I'll just toss this out there too.
about 5 years ago - Dymo Label printer software was added to our machines..
