The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed

First, let me say… I get about 10 to 20 unique hits on this post every day. We are not alone! Below, I describe a fix to the relationship. But I want to know THE CAUSE of the broken relationship! If you can help, please post a comment. -Thank you

Newest post – 2/5/2010
OK, now I’ve got it on Windows 7!
Win7 has been running flawlessly for about three months. I was in the middle of testing various Antivirus solutions… I uninstalled Microsoft Security Essentials, and attempted to install Symantec Endpoint Protection. The setup cursed me, saying a previous operation required a reboot before I could install SEP. I rebooted, logged in, and was presented with a “Temporary Profile” error. I rebooted and the Log in gave me, “The security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust relationship”

Now, I know from previous experience (below) I could disconnect from the network (Cable and WiFi) and fix it like I did in Vista. But this time I got a quick fix with F8, Safe Mode (without network), System Restore to prior to Microsoft Security Essentials uninstall and all was good.

Some info I liked from a TechNet post:
“First some basics you most likely already know.
1. Computers are security principals just like users
2. Computers authenticate to the domain on startup
3. Computers change their password every 30 days by default
4. Restore Points restore the computer password present at the time of the restore point
5. If the local password and the domain password are not the same the computer must re-join the domain”

Older notes:

Additional note… I have had it! Goodbye Vista. Hello Windows 7. I got this error AGAIN on my desktop. I didn’t fix it this time. I moved directly to Windows 7. Now, the three machines that were running Vista are now on 7. Date 11/19/2009

Problem: The Vista user can log onto the machine with cached credentials (NIC disconnected and WiFi off), but not when connected to the LAN. ERR, It worked for the last year, just fine. Oh well…

You may also get this error: ”The security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust relationship.”

As the error indicates, the relationship between the client/server is broken. Let’s fix the relationship.

Kill and rejoin the Domain… (with PC rename in between)
On the DC:
Delete the offending Computer Account that resides in Active Directory.
Delete the Computer’s IP Lease(s) in DHCP
On the client (with no connection to LAN):
Log onto the local machine (not the Domain) as an Admin.
Unjoin the Domain by joining a “TEMP” workgroup. Reboot required. Log into TEMP workgroup as the Admin.
Rename the Computer. Reboot required.
Log into the Local Machine, now rejoin the Domain. Reboot required. Login into the Domain.
Test network access and life is good. The Computer exists in AD and DHCP.
Rename the Computer back to what I originally wanted. Reboot required.
Test network access and life is still good. The new Computer name is in AD and DHCP, as expected.

Come on people, this post gets tons of views. Give me some feedback!

Office 2010 Pro beta

Test my Internet Speed

www.whatismyip.com displays your (public side) IP Address and other tools and tips including “How to trace an Email” and “Internet Speed Test

Other choices include ww.speedtest.net , http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest and www.speakeasy.net

Use Speedtest Pro on iPhone ($0.99)

iPhone forgets Bluetooth pairing

Power Off then On

hold the Sleep and Home buttons in until it asks, “Slide to power off”. And slide…

Then hold the Sleep button in to turn on.

Windows cannot start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service.

Windows XP SP3. Can’t get Windows Firewall to fire up. I get “Windows cannot start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service.” and Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is displayed in the Services list, but I cannot start this service.

Here’s the fix:
From http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920074

Call the “Setup API InstallHinfSection” function to install Windows Firewall

To install Windows Firewall, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
  2. At the command prompt, type the following command line, and then press ENTER:
    Rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection Ndi-Steelhead 132 %windir%\inf\netrass.inf
  3. Restart Windows,
  4. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
  5. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
    Netsh firewall reset
  6. Click Start, click Run, type firewall.cpl, and then press ENTER. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click On (recommended), and then click OK.

Still not working…

Then from http://forum.oscr.arizona.edu/showthread.php?t=2284

1. From the Command Prompt, enter:

netsh winsock reset

2. After receiving a confirmation, reboot

I can start the service and firewall now.

Data Recovery from USB thumb drive

Data Recovery

Presentations:
Wow. Check out Scott Moulton at http://myharddrivedied.com/presentations/
or http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperFlyFlippingA#p/p

Instructions: thanks Scott
Recovery solution by the numbers, 85% with software, 15% hardware
15% Hardware breakdown, 10% electronics (easy), 4% head/platter (hard), 1% motor (screwed)

Laws According to Scott
- Do not be emotionally attached
- Damaged drive does not do the same thing twice
- Persistence is not futile
- Time is not your friend
- Free space is your friend
- Heat is not your friend
- Everyone on eBay is your friend

Steps Before opening drive
- Try everything you can before opening
- Inspect the board. Feel for heat
- Try different connectors; USB, Firewire, IDE
- Try different OSs; Knoppix, Windows, OSX, etc.
    MACDrive $49 on a Windows system
- Try sideways, upside down, etc
- Try extra cooling (peltier drink cooler)

Parts:
Get identical drive on ebay or just the $40 board at http://onepcbsolution.com/

Software:
DDrescue (linux)
FTK Imager (Win) at http://www.accessdata.com/downloads.html

Monitor Disk Space – Free

From NetWrix – Server disk space is a critical resource that must be closely watched to prevent potential server downtime and failures. How many times have you gotten unexpected errors, lost data, and downtime just because the free space slowly went below an acceptable level?

NetWrix Disk Space Monitor is a FREE tool for IT professionals to keep track of server disk space on domain controllers, file servers, SharePoint servers, Exchange servers, database servers and others. The product centrally monitors the free disk space of specified servers and sends daily reports and alerts about low disk space conditions based on configured thresholds.

Product features:

  • Monitors multiple servers at a time.
  • Sends daily reports about all servers running below certain disk space thresholds.
  • Can be configured and put into use easily.

Recover deleted files, Free with Recuva or NTFS Undelete

NTFS Undelete further down…

Check out Recuva here (free):

Now, look at NTFS Undelete:

As published by Atola Technology:

NTFS Undelete is free and open source software that allows you to recover deleted files. It recovers files directly from hard drive, and it will work even if you empty Recycle Bin.

Before downloading NTFS Undelete, please consider the following:

When you delete a file, its content physically remains intact on the media, but the occupied space becomes marked as free. Next file saved to the disk may overwrite the contents of the deleted file.

It is very important to make sure that no application writes to the drive or partition where deleted file is located since every new file (even a small one) may overwrite the deleted file.

Tips. What you should do, when you realized that the file you need is deleted:

  1. Do not open or close files and applications.
    Many applications create temporary files which may overwrite and corrupt your deleted files.
  2. Depending on your system configuration, you should perform one of the following actions: 
    1. If deleted files were located on the system disk (usually disk “C:”), or if you have only one logical disk in the system, you should not install any software into the system since it will most likely overwrite your deleted file. We provide an ISO image with NTFS Undelete. You will have to use another computer to burn that image to a CD or DVD. Then just run NTFS Undelete directly from CD.
    2. If your deleted files are not located on the system disk, then you can use NTFS Undelete Windows Installer to install the software as usual.

     

  3. Run NTFS Undelete application and locate deleted file you’d like to restore.
  4. Always recover files to another disk or partition. Do not recover files to the same partition they were located, otherwise files you are recovering may get corrupted and unrecoverable.
  5. That’s it, now you have your files back!

Securely Wipe Data with Free Eraser

Heidi Computers' Eraser

Heidi Computers’ Eraser is a free utility that securely wipes data (US DoD 5220.22-M spec)

  • It works with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.
  • Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 can still be used with version 5.7!
  • It works with any drive that works with Windows
  • Secure drive erasure methods are supported out of the box
  • Erases files, folders and their previous deleted counterparts
  • Works with an extremely customisable Scheduler

Securely Wipe Data with Free Heidi Computers’ Eraser – Find Download here

Find Windows Product Key with Free Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware open source utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key). It allows you to print or save your keys for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007 family of products. It also has a community-updated configuration file that retrieves product keys for many other applications. Another feature is the ability to retrieve product keys from unbootable Windows installations.

Find Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder download here

Don’t forget!
The optional config file – this functionality lets you pull a key stored in the registry for any software. A sample config file is included in the zip and can be seen here:
Latest CFG

WinAudit Free PC Audit and Inventory Software

WinAudit Free PC Audit and Inventory SoftwarePC audit and inventory of software, licenses, security configuration, hardware, network settings…

  • Easy to use
  • No setup
  • Csv/html/pdf/xml
  • E-mail
  • Database export
  • Command line
  • Fully documented
  • Free for any use!
  • Find WinAudit Download here

    iPhone forgets WiFi password

    Symptom: Shortly after joining my WiFi network, it reverts back to the 3G network and has “forgotten” the WiFi password I gave it.

    Solution: Go to Settings, General, Reset, Reset Network Settings and confirm. Rejoin your WiFi and all will be good.

    Note: I have also read that some iPhones struggle if you have disabled your SSID Broadcast.

    Can’t uninstall Vipre Antivirus


    I tested the Vipre software with the free 30 day trial. Seemed to work fine. Small footprint and straight forward. I only threw a couple of known threats at it…

    No issue, until I tried to uninstall it! Vipre is listed in my Windows 7 Add/Remove Programs, but does nothing when I select it.

    I found this Sunbelt Software tool that removes Vipre:
    VIPRE ANTIVIRUS REMOVAL TOOL

    Moving on to test PCMAG Editors Choice for free Antivirus: Panda Cloud

    Panda Cloud Antivirus – Free is PCMag Editors Choice (not mine)

    Uninstalled January 5, 2009
    Gave it a month. Easy install. Caused no problems. Ran quietly in the background. Too quietly! OK it worked nicely and found a few well-known virus’, but performed terribly on a zero day variant. Symantec had this one nailed within hours. Panda took a acouple days to get around to neutralizing what it now calls trj/CI.A
    Nice, clean uninstall. Was using 235MB of my 2GB ram
    Goodbye Panda
    Going to continue recommending Microsoft Security Essentials (free) to Family PC clients. Uses 74MB of my 2GB ram
    While using Symantec Endpoint Protection 11 on Corporate LAN.

    Installed December 7, 2009

    Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition 1.0 – by PCMAG.com

    Every time new or newly mutated piece malware bursts forth, security vendors have to boil it down into a signature that lets their antivirus products recognize and remove the threat. Given the accelerating pace of malware creation, we could be headed for a singularity—virus signature databases so big they implode into a black hole! Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition 1.0 (free for personal use) aims to head off disaster by pushing its malware detection activity into the cloud, eliminating the need for local signatures. Panda likes to call it “the first antivirus without an update button.” It’s a powerful defender against malware attacks—and it’s free.

    Free Antivirus and Antispyware reviewed by PCMagazine

    Every computer needs protection. But what if you’ve got no money for security software? Don’t worry–there’s power security software and services that can keep you safe, for free.

    RAM Notes

    RDRAM (RAMBUS) 184 pin (underlined common in my experience)

    CRIMM
    PC600
    PC600 ECC
    PC700
    PC700 ECC
    PC800 40ns
    PC800 40ns ECC
    PC800 45ns
    PC800 45ns ECC
    PC1066
    PC1066 ECC

    RDRAM 232 pin

    PC1066
    PC1066 ECC
    PC3200 ECC

    -Must be installed in identical pairs
    -40 and 45ns pairs may be mixed
    -CRIMMs required for empty slot pairs
    -Much too expensive, retail. Use Top Rated Sellers on ebay

    DDR 100 pin SODIMM

    PC2100
    PC2700

    DDR 172 pin MicroDIMM

    PC2100
    PC2700

    DDR 184 pin DIMM

    PC1600 ECC Registered
    PC2100
    PC2100 ECC
    PC2100 CL2
    PC2100 CL2 ECC
    PC2100 CL2.5 ECC Registered

    DDR 200 pin SODIMM

    PC1600
    PC2100
    PC2700
    PC2700 ECC
    PC3200

    DDR 208 pin DIMM

    PC2100 ECC Registered

    DDR 276 pin DIMM

    PC2100 ECC Registered

    DDR 278 pin DIMM

    PC2100 ECC

    DDR 294 pin DIMM

    PC1600 ECC Registered

    DDR
    PC1600
    PC2100
    PC2700
    PC3200

    DDR2
    PC2-3200
    PC2-4200
    PC2-4300
    PC2-5300
    PC2-5400
    PC2-6400
    PC2-8500
    PC2-8600

    DDR3
    PC3-6400
    PC3-8500
    PC3-10600
    PC3-12800

    ECC and Non-ECC can be mixed

    memoryten.com for memory check utility or cpuid

    Earth911.com – where to recycle

     

     

     

    Find Recycling Centers by Zip Code at www.earth911.com

    Word 2007 crash on Windows 7

    You install an automatic update for Microsoft Office Word 2007 on a Windows Vista (or Windows 7) -based computer and then restart the computer. If Word 2007 was running when the computer was restarted, you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

    • The mouse does not work when you use Word.
    • You cannot open a Word document from the Search window in Windows Vista.
    • You cannot open a Word document from Windows Desktop Search.
    • Word crashes when you try to start or exit Word.
    • Word crashes when you open the Open dialog box.
    • Word crashes when you save a document.
    • Word crashes when you close a document.

    To resolve this problem, delete the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data registry subkey. Close regedit and start Word.

    More detail here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940791

    Alpha Antivirus, rogue

    Client got tricked by Alpha Antivirus and proceeded to download and install! Lucky she stopped when it asked for credit card info.

    AlphaAntivirus

    She has McAfee properly installed and running. It was CLUELESS!
    I really was not optomistic about repair.
    Malwarebytes (free) did an awesome job!