@gjacobse said in Dreaded Windows Recovery:

Just over a week ago I let my older laptop install updates - and now - the dreaded Windows Recovery screen is all I see.

I've backed out Quality and Features with no success. There are no System Restore Points and even trying to Reset all fail.

While I am able to recover my data - before I go and kill it, I wanted to ensure that I hadn't missed anything on trying to recover what I have...

BIOS is up to date, same version as was installed, and no new hardware has been installed.

Is this a lost cause - and best to just duck my head and re-install, or just migrate this poor soul to Ubuntu.

You should also check the health of the drive in the system. For example, if it's a Samsung SSD, run Samsung Magician to verify the drive is still in good health. A drive going bad can corrupt a Windows install and updates or something similar can be disk intensive enough to make it noticeable.

Installing Linux on an otherwise failed or failing drive can be brewing storm. So I'd still check the drive first before doing that.

On Linux (Raspberry Pi OS), is it possible to reset a USB connection as if you unplugged it and plugged it back in? Is there an easy command to do it for a given USB device?

@scottalanmiller said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

We just had a 6.2 earthquake happen right on top of us. Like RIGHT under the building. We were the epicenter. It was crazy. I've been in a LOT of quakes, but this was the biggest and closest every. It was nuts. We had to pull everyone from the water and there is minor building damage, as expected.

Oh no, I hope everything works out!

How long did it last?

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@obsolesce

Happy New Year -
Yes, I am interested in your procedure when you get time. Looks like we are using Windows Business - but I don't expect the procedure building being different.

I'm also curious how you built the ISO with XML profile.

TIA

Before you sysprep to create the ISO, use the PowerShell module to download your autopilot config, then put it here: C:\Windows\Provisioning\AutoPilot\AutoPilotConfigurationFile.json

I didn't have time yet on the PC to get the procedure I created and likely won't until tomorrow or the next, but here is a MS link for some breadcrumbs in the meantime, regarding creating the Autopilot profile, then downloading the json. Sorry, json, I said xml before I think:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/autopilot/existing-devices

Finally a clear night, but late and cold outside (8c), no prep done. So I'm sitting inside with the telescope pointing out the window, tracking a binary star (Alpheratz) I can see with the Fuji camera attached.

The tracking is a little bit off because I'm very limited to the stars I could use for the auto 2 star alignment. I also can't get great focus going through glass, but when I open the door for a sec, it's good then. No big deal, other than that it's working perfectly in KStars / Ekos on the R-Pi!

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@obsolesce said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@obsolesce said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@jt1001001 said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

End of year PTO for me. Rethinking home office layout as 2022 we will be shifting gears and i will need some bench space for working on Autopilot deployment. Our E5 licenses were approved so major security overhaul next year

Autopilot - been trying to sort out a USB option to run the hardware ID… not had any success… not totall happy with the process yet.

Why not use the popular PS module? It'll grab the hash and register it in Autopilot.

Otherwise, I have a script I made somewhere made to be ran from USB that will take the hash, send it to an Azure Storage Table to await processing by an Azure Function that registers it into autopilot if you're looking for a fully automated solution other than running the script itself.

We have this wonderful security policy- we turn off powershell scripting- i have to got through a very manual process…

I found a set up, which I think I linked previous- that didn’t work… but it is possible I missed something on it. I’ll have to see if I can spin up my laptop here at the hotel and read back my comments to verify…

With scripting turned off- and literally Policed by systems being scanned a third party for script, it’s a bit frustrating.

Then the only thing to do is to reimage every device using an ISO or image with the Autopilot profile baked in. Make sure the Autopilot profile is set to register devices in Autopilot. If they want bullshit policies that actually decrease security, then it's going to get inconvenient for everyone.

That’s an interesting option. Might you have details on that?

It looks like that PowerShell module you were looking into not so long ago may work. I did it manually instead of using that, I forget now why I decided to do it that way, maybe it was cleaner I forget. But essentially all you need to do is create an Windows installer ISO of an up to date Win10/11 install with the Autopilot profile xml in a specific Windows folder.

I'd share the ones I made but they are Win10/11 enterprise with activation and autopilot profile baked in. I can share the procedure I created though, but won't get a chance until later today or tomorrow... if that PS module method is of no interest to you.

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@obsolesce said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@jt1001001 said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

End of year PTO for me. Rethinking home office layout as 2022 we will be shifting gears and i will need some bench space for working on Autopilot deployment. Our E5 licenses were approved so major security overhaul next year

Autopilot - been trying to sort out a USB option to run the hardware ID… not had any success… not totall happy with the process yet.

Why not use the popular PS module? It'll grab the hash and register it in Autopilot.

Otherwise, I have a script I made somewhere made to be ran from USB that will take the hash, send it to an Azure Storage Table to await processing by an Azure Function that registers it into autopilot if you're looking for a fully automated solution other than running the script itself.

We have this wonderful security policy- we turn off powershell scripting- i have to got through a very manual process…

I found a set up, which I think I linked previous- that didn’t work… but it is possible I missed something on it. I’ll have to see if I can spin up my laptop here at the hotel and read back my comments to verify…

With scripting turned off- and literally Policed by systems being scanned a third party for script, it’s a bit frustrating.

Then the only thing to do is to reimage every device using an ISO or image with the Autopilot profile baked in. Make sure the Autopilot profile is set to register devices in Autopilot. If they want bullshit policies that actually decrease security, then it's going to get inconvenient for everyone.

@gjacobse said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

@jt1001001 said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

End of year PTO for me. Rethinking home office layout as 2022 we will be shifting gears and i will need some bench space for working on Autopilot deployment. Our E5 licenses were approved so major security overhaul next year

Autopilot - been trying to sort out a USB option to run the hardware ID… not had any success… not totall happy with the process yet.

Why not use the popular PS module? It'll grab the hash and register it in Autopilot.

Otherwise, I have a script I made somewhere made to be ran from USB that will take the hash, send it to an Azure Storage Table to await processing by an Azure Function that registers it into autopilot if you're looking for a fully automated solution other than running the script itself.

@skyetel said in Skyetel is Hiring:

insure

I noticed this in the job posting as well:

https://askanydifference.com/difference-between-insure-and-ensure

@breitenberg said in Gaming PC Setup:

it is cheaper to build a gaming PC rather than buying a pre-built gaming PC. ... In most cases, the more expensive a prebuilt PC is, the more the cost of assembly and profit margin of the seller will be. Therefore, it is indeed cheaper to build a PC.

That's not completely true currently. If I want to build a gaming PC with an RTX 3090, that alone will cost me at the very least $3k for an off brand card... Yeah just the card itself. However, I could order a pre-built gaming pc with that card for about the same price or just a little more. Some even less.

I finally got to the store today to pick up a mini-B (mini usb) cable to connect the telescope mount to the Raspberry Pi.

I was able to get it configured and working. That was one of the biggest things I was worried about because I've seen so many people having issues with the Prolific PL2303 drivers and R-Pis in general. The mount's hand controller uses a built-in serial to usb interface. But with Astroberry, it was fairly simple and worked.

I already got the Fuji camera working with the Pi a few months ago while I was waiting for the telescope on backorder.

Now that the biggest hurdles are overcome, I just need to wait a little longer for the t-adapter to arrive. Winter here is the cloudy/rainy season The t-ring already came. In the meantime, I'm going to have to wait for some clear nights to be able to align the scope properly and really give this a thorough test with the Pi.

The Barlow and the 8-24mm eye piece should arrive around the same time as the t-adapter. That should be some fun viewing as well.

@hobbit666 said in Gaming PC Setup:

@scottalanmiller hope that's not a SSD that would cost a fortune

Went with install windows on the NVMe drive, then used the other two as the cache for the spinners with AMD StoreMI thingy.

Using only what you have, the SSD cache for the large spinners is the best option. That's cool you have the option to do that.

That said, I'd rather just get a decent Samsung 1TB m.2 SSD and be done with it. Ya if you have 8TBof games, that won't work, but that is more rare. I probably have a few TB of games, but they are steam games and other similar where if I want to play it, I'll install them then. I don't need all 10000 games installed or stored on my HDD at once lol.

I finally was able to see the moon this morning! It's been too cloudy since I got the new telescope. I'm still waiting on the t-adapter, Barlow, and 8-24mm eye piece to arrive, but looks awesome nonetheless. Once I get the t-adapter I can hook up the Fuji and get much better pics.

And from a couple nights ago I was able to see Saturn and Jupiter. Bad shaky cell phone Pic.

@hobbit666 said in Gaming PC Setup:

@obsolesce said in Gaming PC Setup:

@hobbit666 said in Gaming PC Setup:

@obsolesce said in Gaming PC Setup:

Personally, I'd not use HDD in any PC anymore, no matter the size. I'd choose to have a single 128gb SSD over 2 1TB spinners any day, and upgrade the SSDs when needed or even initially.

Not going to install much on 128gb now a day

I know, besides the point. I'd rather do what I can with a 128 vs 2tb spinner. Of course I'd immediately get something bigger than 128,but I was just making a point.

I know what your saying but this is what I'm working with

So would you say maybe just use the 2x 240gb ssd (Raid)
Going to keep one 2tb as she wants to get into youtube/twtich etc so will need some storage for video editing

If it was my setup, I'd use them as individual drives, havi g a and D:. If space starts to get low, then I'd install games on the other one. I don't know of any games that do not let you specify the location to install.

If you did raid, then you're stuck with 240gb. If you did raid 0 then your failure chance is double and all is gone. I personally don't mind 2 separate drives.

Its up to you to do how you like.

@hobbit666 said in Gaming PC Setup:

@obsolesce said in Gaming PC Setup:

Personally, I'd not use HDD in any PC anymore, no matter the size. I'd choose to have a single 128gb SSD over 2 1TB spinners any day, and upgrade the SSDs when needed or even initially.

Not going to install much on 128gb now a day

I know, besides the point. I'd rather do what I can with a 128 vs 2tb spinner. Of course I'd immediately get something bigger than 128,but I was just making a point.

@hobbit666 said in Gaming PC Setup:

Need some advice on how to configure this guy for the kid.
ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING II
Amd Ryzen5 3600
16gb ram (will have to check speed)
RTX 3060 ventus 2x 12g oc

So the big question is this, I ordered this without HD's as I have x2 240gb ssd. But it came with x2 2tb.

Looking my initial thought was to use AMD StoreMI where you use the SSD as cache for the most frequently accessed stuff.

But would there be any benifit of make RAID 0 out of the pairs instead. Then maybe using the StoreMI and use the SSD Raid as cache for the HD Raid?

Or just pull some drives out and not use them

Personally, I'd not use HDD in any PC anymore, no matter the size. I'd choose to have a single 128gb SSD over 2 1TB spinners any day, and upgrade the SSDs when needed or even initially.

@dbeato said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@obsolesce said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@notverypunny said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@obsolesce said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@obsolesce said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

they generally come with AV and other crap you don't want at purchase

Oh I see, that sucks. Are the company devices being bought from Walmart or something?

Seriously?

I order these from DCW. I haven't had a laptop not come with at least some third party AV in ages...

I suppose one of the reasons to not order Dell/HP, or at least not the default stuff.

Can't speak to HP, but with Dell, unless you get setup with their imaging program (you provide them with your desired stock image and it's $$$ from what I recall) they're sending you their stock OEM image with a significant amount of bloat-ware. In a corporate / enterprise setup consistency is king so it's normal that you want to reimage with something that's tested and known to play nice in your environment.

Business class devices shipping with trial anti-virus software that is well known to be much worse than the default Windows Defender? That alone is reason enough not to go with that manufacturer (still not a showstopper, as automation can fix that in later steps). If you need to touch a device before an end user gets it, you're wasting a ton of time and money. That's decades old procedures... having your IT department receive the device, reimage, configure, maintain images, and all the requirements that go along? That is a huge waste of resources.

Wouldn't you rather have a device sent directly from CDW to the end-user, without needing a special image, ready to go for the user and the work environment... managed, configured, secured, and compliant as part of the OOBE?

Dell charges a bit more for imaging with your Intune AutoPilot profile but can be arranged and most Dell with Windows Professional and up licensing barely come with bloatware as far as I have been working with them.

CDW and many other CSPs will register them in Autopilot for you for a couple dollars extra, OEMs can do it too, there's no need for a custom image. For some special purpose orders, sure, but not typically needed.

@notverypunny said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@obsolesce said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@obsolesce said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

they generally come with AV and other crap you don't want at purchase

Oh I see, that sucks. Are the company devices being bought from Walmart or something?

Seriously?

I order these from DCW. I haven't had a laptop not come with at least some third party AV in ages...

I suppose one of the reasons to not order Dell/HP, or at least not the default stuff.

Can't speak to HP, but with Dell, unless you get setup with their imaging program (you provide them with your desired stock image and it's $$$ from what I recall) they're sending you their stock OEM image with a significant amount of bloat-ware. In a corporate / enterprise setup consistency is king so it's normal that you want to reimage with something that's tested and known to play nice in your environment.

Business class devices shipping with trial anti-virus software that is well known to be much worse than the default Windows Defender? That alone is reason enough not to go with that manufacturer (still not a showstopper, as automation can fix that in later steps). If you need to touch a device before an end user gets it, you're wasting a ton of time and money. That's decades old procedures... having your IT department receive the device, reimage, configure, maintain images, and all the requirements that go along? That is a huge waste of resources.

Wouldn't you rather have a device sent directly from CDW to the end-user, without needing a special image, ready to go for the user and the work environment... managed, configured, secured, and compliant as part of the OOBE?

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@obsolesce said in windows based FREE imaging app:

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

they generally come with AV and other crap you don't want at purchase

Oh I see, that sucks. Are the company devices being bought from Walmart or something?

Seriously?

I order these from DCW. I haven't had a laptop not come with at least some third party AV in ages...

I suppose one of the reasons to not order Dell/HP, or at least not the default stuff.

@dashrender said in windows based FREE imaging app:

they generally come with AV and other crap you don't want at purchase

Oh I see, that sucks. Are the company devices being bought from Walmart or something?