Fix: Problem Installing HP OfficeJet 6500 on Windows 7

Problem: 
When trying to install the printer while connected to the network using wire to wireless connection, you get errors during installation process.
if you check your System Event Log  you notice some DCOM errors 10016 saying stuff like this (Hebrew):

‏‏הגדרות ההרשאה המהווה ברירת מחדל של המחשב אינן מעניקות הרשאת הפעלה מקומית עבור יישום COM Server עם CLSID‏ 

{10DA4F3C-CC99-4190-BE4D-58330754E882}

 ו- APPID‏ 

{7DDEFEA6-98EE-4F13-A25B-EC83D9BC5541}

 ל- SID של המשתמש NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE‏‏ (S-1-5-19) מהכתובת LocalHost (באמצעות LRPC). ניתן לשנות הרשאת אבטחה זו באמצעות כלי הניהול 'שירותי רכיבים'.

Another example (English):

The machine-default permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{10DA4F3C-CC99-4190-BE4D-58330754E882}
 and APPID
{7DDEFEA6-98EE-4F13-A25B-EC83D9BC5541}
 to the user NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE SID (S-1-5-19) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.”

On the other hand, it you try to install using a USB connection, everything goes well.

Solution:

As HP recommends, make sure you have your Antivirus & Firewall disabled to avoid conflicts.

1. Uninstall the HP OfficeJet 6500 software, if already installed.  This will require a reboot, do so before proceeding
2. Launch the Component Services administrative tool
   You should be able to locate this tool from the Search bar of the Start menu
3. With the Component Services window open
   1. Expand the Component Services console listed on the left side
   2. Expand Computers under Component Services
   3. Right click My Computer and choose Properties
4. Select the COM Security tab
5. Under the section titled “Launch and Activition Permissions” click the Edit Default…button
6. Click the Add button
7. Enter “Local Service” in the field provided and click OK
8. With the Local Service account selected, place check marks next to Local Launch and Local Activition under the Allow column
   

   Launch and Activation Permissions
9. Click OK
10. Click OK again
11. A warning may appear alerting you that you are about to change DCOM settings, clickYes
12. Close the Component Services window
13. Install the HP OfficeJet 6500 software

HowTo: Disable warning "The Publisher Could Not Be Verified" When Running Network Programs

Disable the message from appearing warning you that “The Publisher Could Not Be Verified” when you run certain files from a network drive or network share:

Solution:
In Internet Explorer > Internet Options > Security > Local internet > Sites > Advanced
add file://systemname where systemname is equal the local server that runs the application and and file will now run off of that server.

Tool: How to Recover Routers Passwords & Settings

A new tool from the best freeware site Nirsoft.net was just published that allows you to recover valuable information from a saved backup configuration files of network routers.


Description

Most modern routers allow you to backup the configuration of the router into a file, and then restore the configuration from the file when it's needed.
The backup file of the router usually contains important data like your ISP user name/password, the login password of the router, and wireless network keys.
If you lost one of these password/keys, but you still have a backup file of your router configuration, RouterPassView might help you to recover your lost password from your router file.

This utility works on any version of Windows, starting from Windows 2000 and up to Windows 

Supported Routers

Due to large amount of router models available in the market, it's impossible to support all of them.
For now, RouterPassView supports a limited number of router models, and I'll gradually add support for more routers in future versions. Also, be aware that even if your router is not in the list, you can still try to open your router backup file with RouterPassView, because some routers are sold with different brand name, but they still use the same software/chipset of other routers.Here's the list:

• Linksys WRT54GL, and possibly similar models.
• Edimax BR6204WG, and possibly similar models.
• Siemens ADSL SL2-141, and possibly similar models.
• Dynalink RTA1025W, and possibly similar models.
• NETGEAR WGT624, and possibly similar models.
• ASUS WL-520g, and possibly similar models.

Test Results...

I've tested it on a file saved on an Edimax BR6204wg and this is the result:

The utility easily recovered the login password, Wireless encryption type and secret key, and also my ISP VPN and DynDNS settings (which I've erased from the screenshot..).

Cool indeed!!

Download from here.

More information here.

Fix: Network, Internet, Winsock, TCP/IP Connectivity issues in Windows XP & Vista

Network connectivity issues can be complex to troubleshoot.
I will try to list my troubleshoot guide for basic connectivity issues:

1. Physical Connectivity:


Although it is obvious, on most times people only check it last...
go through all your networking gear: from the jack on the wall to the Network RJ45 on your PC.
- Release & reconnect all the cables from the all to the network equipment and your computer.
- if connected to ADSL, make sure you have a Phone-Filter on all your phone-jacks using the same line.
- if you use a modem, check it is Sync'ed (ADSL/Cable Link LED is On & Steady)
- try restarting your Router, Hub/Switch. sometimes there's more then one device forming the network. for
   example, a router & a modem on one floor and another switch & Wireless AP on a second floor.
- check to see if you have LED lights on the Network-Card on your PC and on the Network device.
- make sure the network cables are firmly attached and have their safety-latch intact.

2. Resetting your TCP/IP, WinSock & Network Card Settings
Windows uses protocols, drivers & software to operate the network magic. we need to make sure everything  is setup correctly and not broken.
- Reset the TCP/IP Protocol:  
     In Windows XP SP2 and above (Including Vista) we can use this command: netsh int ip reset log.txt
- Reset the WinSock:
     In Windows XP SP2 and above (Including Vista) we can use this command: netsh winsock reset
- Tools: On older versions of Windows we can use some tools to help us to the fix: WinsockFix , NetRepair

- Reset the Network Card:
  a. Make sure your TCP/IP settings are correct: 
      Control Panel>Network Connection>Local Area Connection>R-click and Properties>Internet
      Protocol TCP/IP Properties > make sure the IP address and DNS settings are set to Automatically or
      Manually according to your network setup. if you're not sure you can always write down the current
      setup, try the opposite and later undo the changes it's not working.

      While you're there, make sure you have all the networking component setup. for most Microsoft-Based
       Networks you should see (at least) 3 components:
       Client for Microsoft Networks, File and Printer Sharing Service, Internet Protocol TCP/IP

  b. Try repairing the connection by: Control Panel>Network Connection>Local Area Connection>r-click
      and choose Repair. the Repair process is equal to Releasing & Renewing the IP and clearing the DNS &
      ARP cache. you can also to it manually from the CMD is your wish to make it manually:
        CMD> ipconfig /release
        CMD> ipconfig /renew
        CMD> ipconfig /flushdns

  c. Try Uninstalling/Reinstalling the network device from Device Manager
       (r-click My Computer>Manage) the plug & play process makes it quick and easy and the result is a
       network card that resets to defaults settings.


If nothing works...
Try having another PC/Laptop connect to the same cable and see if it works
Try temporarily-disabling and Firewall, Antivirus, VPN/Proxy Software running.
Check your connectivity with different software (maybe the IE is broken but Skype works fine...)

Of course there are many more things to check but these are the most important basics you need to know.
I haven't even written about nothing regarding Ping, Tracert, localhost, host file and many other useful information, but these will probably come in a later post :)

Helping a friend/customer setup a Wireless Router on the Phone

Any ITPro that had to guide a user on how to setup or troubleshoot a PC problem on the phone, knows the frustration of trying to explain the user where to click or understand from his description what he see on the screen.

In such cases I recommend on using the original manufacturer's user guide that is usually downloadable from the web. the user-guide usually contains screenshots of the menus and settings.
Check out: Edimax, Linksys, Belkin, LevelOne
TP-Link even created an online simulator for popular models: TL-WR541G , TL-WR542G


Another helpful site is PortForwarding.com which gives instructions and screenshots of various routers on how to open specific ports for an application/service.