Move a Distribution Point Content Library Between Drives

If you have installed a Distribution Point onto a server and you wish to change the drive that the content is now stored on you can do this by using the "ContentLibraryTransfer.exe" tool that was released within the SyStem Centre 2012 R2 Configuration Manager Toolkit.

Download it here - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=36213 and install the components

ContentLibraryTransfer.exe is a tool that will move a distribution point’s content store from one drive to another. It's a very simple process.

To use the tool, open an administrative command prompt and navigate to the location of the ContentLibraryTransfer.exe tool.

Once there the syntax of the tool is as follows:

ContentLibraryTransfer.exe -SourceDrive D -TargetDrive F

So the above command would move the content from the D drive to the F drive.

If you want to see a log file of what has happened etc you can pipe the results to a text file as follows:

ContentLibraryTransfer.exe -SourceDrive D -TargetDrive F > C:\Results.txt

New PC build for Windows 10

I am currently running an aging Windows 7 PC at home as my main computer, it still has some decent tin inside it unfortunately it's starting to flag alittle when I am doing Photoshop editting of my photography and the storage configured inside is outgrowing my needs as well.

When Windows 10 preview was released back in October 2014 I fell in love and started about reading up on what I needed to do to build a good PC that could take care of my techie needs and Photoshop requirements.

While reading up on how to spec a PC for Photoshop use I learnt the Photoshop uses the memory and then uses available HDD space when it runs out of memory. So I've tried to pick out good quality fast RAM (and will add more later).  later I will add an SSD that can be utilised exclusively to enhance Photoshop's performance (more info on that here  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/memory-performance.html#assigning_scratch_disks)

I've got the following kit:

Memory: 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 CL10 DIMM HyperX Fury Series
Motherboard: Asus Z97-K Socket 1150 VGA DVI HDMI 7.1 Channel HD Audio ATX Motherboard
Network adapter: Asus PCE-N15 adapter
CPU: Intel Core i5 4590 3.30GHz Socket 1150 6MB L3 Cache Retail Boxed Processor
PSU: Antec VP-Series 550W Fully Wired Efficient Power Supply
DVD Drive: Samsung SH-224DB 24X Internal DVD Writer with SATA - OEM
Case: Antec VSP000 Silenced Tower Case - Black
CPU Cooler: Raijintek Aidos Direct Contact CPU Cooler - Black
Graphics Card: Have yet to decide...

Windows 8.1 Troubleshooting

When I was at TechEd Europe last year in Barcelona, I attended one of Sami Laiho's session - Windows 8.1 Black Belt Troubleshooting.  It was ultimately voted the 4th favourite session of the whole event by attendees.

I re-watched it on Channel 9 recently as I had recommended it to a colleague.

https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/Europe/2014/WIN-B329

Take the time to watch, you'll defo learn something. And if you ever get the chance to attend a session with Sami Laiho in person, don't miss it!

Enabling Powershell support in your boot image - SCCM 2012 R2

I am currently running SCCM 2012 R1 CU3 (version 5.0.7958.1401) and was looking to add Powershell support to my Boot Images but was constantly coming up against an error message.

Let me walk you through the process, the error message and solution.

To add Powershell support to your Boot Image, launch your SCCM Console and browse to Software Library > Operating Systems > Boot Images

Right click on the Boot Image you wish to modify and click Properties. Then click on Optional Components.

Click on the Yellow star to add a component

If you type Powershell into the filter it will display three options, select "Windows Powershell (WinPE-Powershell)".  A prompt will come up telling you that you need to enable "Microsoft .NET (WinPE-NetFx)"

If you click OK three times you will be prompted that you have made a change and you need up update the distribution points.  Click YES and the update Distribution Points Wizard will display, let the wizard run.

The Wizard will fail and offer the following error message:

The problem is that when you filter the optional components it hasn't automatically enabled the "Microsoft .NET (WinPE-NetFx)" component that is needed alongside Powershell.  You need to manually add this in also.

So click on Close on the failed distribution wizard.

Right click on the boot image that you wish to modify, select Properties and Optional Components.  Powershell should still be listed, so click on the yellow star and search for "NetFx" and select this and Click OK three times.  Again you will be prompted to update the distribution points.

Allow this to complete and you will be provided with a window saying your boot image has been successfully updated.

The lesson learned here is if you are filtering the optional components, ensure you read any warnings that are shown and manually check the other required components.

Sponsor my abseil - please?

In aid of MacMillan Cancer Care I will be abseiling off the Forth Rail Bridge on the 7th June with several friends.

This event is run in conjunction with the Rotary Club of South Queensferry. The abseil is 165ft from the bridge onto the beach below. Not sure whether I'll be doing the abseil crying, screaming or laughing - no matter what way I complete the abseil it is sure to be a great experience while raising money for a great charity.

If you could spare a few pennies or pounds to sponsor me and this great cause it would be much appreciated.

My JustGiving page is located at https://www.justgiving.com/SazLean

How Microsoft are using SCCM

This interesting 2 part podcast gives you an insight into how Microsoft are utilising SCCM 2012 within their own environment.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/in_the_cloud/archive/2015/03/12/itc-podcast-how-we-use-sccm-at-microsoft-part-1.aspx

http://channel9.msdn.com/Blogs/In-The-Cloud/ITC-Podcast-ep-24-How-we-use-SCCM-at-Microsoft-Part-2

Well worth having a listen.

SQL Saturday #388

SQL Saturday #388 is being held in Edinburgh, Scotland on the 13th June 2015.  SQL Saturday events are great for SQL Professionals and those wishing to learn about SQL.

At the event in June Thomas Sykes will be talking about the rapidly evolving SQL offerings within Azure and how you can use it to host a scalable website.  Definately worth hearing!

The event itself is free to attend, however they are you pay £6 towards food costs.  To register pop over to: https://www.sqlsaturday.com/register.aspx