Deploy a System Recovery Image

This walkthrough describes how to deploy a recovery solution to reinstall the factory image in the event of a system failure. Windows® Recovery Environment (Windows RE) supports several recovery scenarios. This topic describes two sample recovery solutions: using Windows RE with Windows Setup as the primary recovery tool, and using Windows RE with a custom recovery solution.
In Windows® 7, you can install a Windows RE image on any primary NTFS partition that is on the same disk as your Windows installation, provided the partitions is one of the following types:

• MBR disks Type 0x7 or type 0x27. If type 0x27, it must be at the beginning of the disk.
  
• GPT disks   Contains the PARTITION_MSFT_RECOVERY_GUID attribute.
  

For more information about partition requirements, see Understanding Disk Partitions.

In This Topic

1. Setup-based Recovery Solution
   
   
2. Custom Recovery Solution
   
   

Setup-based Recovery Solution

The setup-based solutions provide the end user an option to use Windows RE to reinstall the factory image in the event of a system failure.

Prerequisites

To complete this walkthrough, you need the following hardware and software:

• Bootable Windows PE media with the ImageX tool. This can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, or another bootable media. For more information, see Windows PE Walkthroughs.
  
• A reference image of a Windows 7 image (.wim). For more information, see Capture Images of Hard Disk Partitions by Using ImageX.
  
• A destination computer with the Windows and system partitions applied, and an empty recovery partition. For more information, see Apply Images by Using ImageX.
  

Step 1: Configure the recovery partition

In this step, you configure a setup-based recovery solution by using the same Windows 7 image you deployed and the default Windows Recovery image that is contained in the Windows partition.

1. Start the destination computer by using a Windows PE bootable media.
   
2. Connect the computer to the device or network location containing the Windows 7 image:
   
   
   net use n: \\server\share\
   

3. Move the default Windows Recovery image (Winre.wim) from the Operating System partition to the System partition (S:).
   
   
   mkdir S:\Recovery\WindowsRE
   move C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\winre.wim S:\Recovery\WindowsRE
   

   Note
   You can store the Winre.wim file on any drive, but you must place it in the following directory structure: \Recovery\WindowsRE.

4. Configure Windows to recognize the default Windows Recovery image (Winre.wim):
   
   
   C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc.exe /setreimage /path S:\Recovery\WindowsRE /target C:\Windows
   

5. Copy your Windows 7 image (.wim) file to the recovery partition (R:).
   
   
   copy N:\images\my-windows-partition.wim R:\
   

6. Rename the image file to Install.wim.
   
   
   rename R:\my-windows-partition.wim R:\install.wim
   

   Note
   You can store the Windows recovery image in any folder, but the file must be named install.wim.

7. Configure Windows RE to recognize your Windows 7 image (.wim) file.
   
   
   C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc.exe /setosimage /path R:\ /target C:\Windows
   

Step 2: Test your recovery solution

In this step, you start the destination computer to verify that the recovery tool can be started.

1. Remove the CD-ROM and any USB drives.
   
2. Start the destination computer and complete Windows Welcome.
   
3. Click Start, click Control Panel, click System and Security, click Backup and Restore, and then click Recover system settings or your computer.
   
4. Click Advanced recovery methods and then click Reinstall Windows
   
5. Follow the on-screen instructions. The computer restarts.
   
6. Verify that the computer starts in Windows RE. The system reinstalls Windows by using the image that you placed in the recovery partition. When the installation is complete, you have the option to restore other files you have backed up.
   

Custom Recovery Solution

By using a custom recovery solution, you can integrate a non-Microsoft recovery solution with Windows RE. In the event of a failure, an end user can restore their computer to a factory image by using a non-Microsoft solution.

Prerequisites

To complete this walkthrough, you need the following software and hardware:

• Customized Windows RE image, as described in step 4 of Walkthrough: Create a Windows RE Image.
  
• Technician computer. For more information, see Building a Technician Computer.
  
• Bootable Windows PE media with the ImageX tool. This can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, or another bootable media. For more information, see Windows PE Walkthroughs.
  
• A reference Windows 7 image stored on an external location, such as a network share or an external USB hard drive.
  
• A destination computer with the Windows and system partitions applied, and an empty recovery partition. For more information, see Apply Images by Using ImageX.
  

Step 1: Configure the Recovery Partition

In this step, you configure your custom recovery solution and the default Windows recovery image that is contained in the Windows partition.

1. Start the destination computer by using your Windows PE bootable media.
   
2. Connect the computer to the device or network location containing the Windows 7 image:
   
   
   net use n: \\server\share\
   

3. Move your custom Windows RE image (Winre.wim) to the recovery partition (R:).
   
   
   Mkdir R:\Recovery\WindowsRE
   Move N:\images\winre.wim R:\Recovery\WindowsRE\
   

   Note
   You can store the Winre.wim file on any drive, but you must place it in the following directory structure: \Recovery\WindowsRE.

4. Configure your custom Windows RE image and specify that when the F1 key (scan code = 0x3b00) is pressed during startup, Windows RE and the custom recovery application launch:
   
   
   C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc.exe /setreimage /path R:\Recovery\WindowsRE /target C:\Windows /bootkey 3b00
   

   For other examples of keyboard scan codes, see REAgentC Command-Line Options. For more about customizing the bootstrapping process, see Custom Bootstrap Actions.
   
5. Configure the operating system to recognize the custom recovery tool you included in your Windows RE image:
   
   
   C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc.exe /setosimage /customtool /target C:\Windows
   

Step 2: Test your recovery solution

In this step, you start the destination computer to verify that the recovery tool can be started. In addition, you verify that the custom factory recovery application can be launched from the Windows RE menu.

1. Remove the CD-ROM and any USB drives.
   
2. Restart the computer.
   
3. Start the destination computer and complete Windows Welcome.
   
4. Restart the computer. Immediately after POST, hold down the F8 key. The Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
   
5. Select Repair your computer and then press Enter. Windows RE starts.
   
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a keyboard layout and provide credentials.
   
7. Verify that a link to your custom recovery application appears on the Windows RE menu.
   
8. Restart the computer.
   
9. Immediately after POST, hold down the F1 key. Windows RE starts.
   
10. Verify that your custom recovery application launches automatically.

Windows 10 Release Date, Free Upgrade News: New Features Revealed By Microsoft

Microsoft Corp. has announced that Windows 10 will be available for free to certain Windows users as it released more information on its latest operating system.

Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Microsoft's operating systems group, said Windows 10 would be free for those who currently use Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.

After the new operating system is released, those who want to upgrade free of cost will have one year to take advantage of the offer. However, some editions will be excluded, Belfiore said during a demo of the operating system on Wednesday.

The demo was attended by a select audience and members of the Insiders testing program, who will be the first to get Windows 10 in the coming week. At the demo, the consumer portion of the operation system was previewed.

Meanwhile, the much anticipated preview of Windows 10 for mobile devices, earlier scheduled to take place on Wednesday, was pushed to February.

It was also announced that a number of features previewed during Wednesday's demo will not make it to a build that will be released soon. Instead, the new features will be incorporated into the build gradually over four to five months.

Among the new features pointed out by Belfiore was Cortana, the digital assistant which is already available on Windows phones and will now come to the desktop version of the software. Cortana will be featured adjacent to the start button on the desktop's taskbar and can be given commands via text or voice input. The assistant can answer basic questions about the weather, search the web for specific answers, and find files on the local machine, OneDrive account and even on a business network, all based on natural language questions.

Cortana also works along with the new web browser codenamed Spartan which will allow users to highlight and note details on a web page and then share the full page including comments with other users. Spartan will also feature a reading mode, which will remove all ads from a webpage and only leave the text.

In addition to the new features of Windows 10, Microsoft also unveiled the Windows HoloLens headset, Windows Holographic for 3D imaging in the operating system and the HoloStudio application which can be used to create holograms.

While an exact date for Windows 10's release has not yet been confirmed, many reports are touting that the new OS will be available from October 22, 2015.

Dynamics GP Smartlist is empty on one client computer

MS Dynamics GP Smartlist is empty on one client computer only. However, when I log on to another computer with the same user. It is working fine. The problem is on the on the local computer. I already uninstall and reinstall GP 10 still it didn't work.

Solution:

1. Compare the Dynamics.set file of the system that works and not working.

2. Check the language for Unicode under Region and Language and compare the same with the working one. Please refer the following window where the unicode language is selected.


It solved the issue when I changed the language to English.

Creating Window RE Using Windows AIK

Create Windows RE using the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK).

These instructions are also included in the Windows AIK. Please note that the ReadMe file that accompanies the Windows AIK contains an important update to the instructions.

Note: If you install Windows RE using the Windows OPK, please continue to follow the instructions in the Windows OPK. Those instructions remain unchanged. Use these instructions only if you do not have access to the Windows OPK.

Step 1: Copy Windows PE from the Installation Media
The version of Windows PE that ships with the Windows AIK does not contain the components required to support Windows RE. However every Windows installation disk contains Windows RE that can be used for recovery of Windows Vista. Therefore, we will use the Windows RE from the Windows installation media.

1. On your technician computer, click Start, point to All Programs, then Windows AIK, and then click Windows PE Tools Command Prompt.
   The menu shortcut opens a command prompt window and automatically sets environment variables to point to all the necessary tools.
2. Create a directory for the Windows PE image and a mount point

            mkdir c:\winre_image
            mkdir c:\winre_mount

3. Copy the Windows PE image from the installation media using ImageX

            imagex.exe /export /boot e:\sources\boot.wim 2 c:\winre_image\winre.wim “Windows Recovery Environment”

4. Mount the image using ImageX

            imagex /mountrw c:\winre_image\winre.wim 1 c:\winre_mount
Step 2: Add Windows RE shell script
The Windows PE we copied in step 1, does not launch Windows RE automatically. In this step, we will create a script called winpeshl.ini that will launch the Windows RE shell at startup.

1. By using a text editor, create a file called winpeshl.ini that contains the following text:

    [LaunchApp]
    AppPath=x:\sources\recovery\recenv.exe

2. Copy this file to \Windows\System32 directory in your mounted Windows RE directory. For example,

              copy winpeshl.ini c:\winre_mount\Windows\System32
Step 3: Add mass-storage drivers (optional)
If necessary, you can include third-party drivers (.inf) in your Windows RE image by using the peimg.exe /inf command. For example,
    peimg.exe /inf= C:\winre_x86\mount\Windows
        Where  is the location of the. inf file.
Step 4: Add custom tools to Windows RE (optional)
You can customize Windows RE shell by creating an .xml file called WinREConfig.xml. WinREConfig.xml enables you to define custom support and diagnostic tools within Windows RE. This step is optional. For more information, refer to the Windows RE documentation in the Windows AIK.
Step 5: Save changes to the image
Unmount the image by using ImageX. For example,
    imagex.exe /unmount /commit c:\winre_mount

The WinRE.wim file is now ready to be deployed on the harddisk or a WDS server. 

Dell: How to restore your Windows 7 computer to factory settings

  You may need to restore your computer to factory settings to fix some computer problems or crashes or to clear your personal information from the system.

Follow these instructions to reset your computer using the Dell Factory Image Restore that come from the factory on your computer.

Notes:

• This process only sets the C: drive back to factory settings and leaves the other partitions alone.


• If you have deleted the Dell Factory Image Restore partition, then the option to use the Dell Factory Image Restore will not appear and you will have to reinstall the Operating System manually or from a backup. For more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base articles, How to manually reinstall Windows 7 on a Dell computer? (when you have installation disks) or My Dell Computer Did Not Come With Disks.

Warning: Restoring your computer to the factory settings will remove all files and programs except those it came with. You will lose all personal files, including photos, emails and programs, if you do not back up your files and data

To restore your Windows 7 computer to factory settings

1. Back up important files and data. If you do not back up your files, you will lose them.
2. Turn off your computer.
3. Disconnect everything but the monitor, keyboard and mouse. This includes your:
   • scanner
   • printer
   • modem or network cables
   • mobile phone and tablet
   • USB flash drive or other external hard drive
4. If your laptop is docked, remove it from the docking station.
5. When the Dell logo appears on the screen, press F8 several times to open the Advanced Boot Options menu.
   Note: If the Advanced Boot Options menu doesn't open, wait for the Windows login prompt. Then restart the computer and try again.
6. Use the Arrow keys to select Repair Your Computer and then press Enter.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, select a keyboard layout and click Next.
8. On the next screen you can log in as a local user or the Administrator.
   Note: Use the drop down menu to the right of User name: to select the local user or the Administrator account and enter the password for that account. If you have not set up a password on the local user account leave the password space empty and click OK.
9. Depending on your configuration, you may need to select Dell Factory Tools and then Dell Factory Image Restore.
10. Click Next to open the Confirm Data Deletion menu.
11. Select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box and click Next.
    
    Note: The restore process begins and may take five or more minutes to complete. A message appears when the operating system and factory-installed applications have been restored to factory condition.
12. After the restore operation is complete, click Finish to restart the computer.
13. Restore any data or programs you want from back up files.

Create a maintenance backup plan in SQL Server 2008 R2 using the wizard

Check SQL Server Agent service

Verify that the SQL Server Agent service is running and set to automatic. The maintenance plan depends on this service to run.

1. On the server, open the Run dialog box, type in services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find the SQL Server Agent service in the list and double-click it.
3. Cick the Recovery tab, and set the failure value to Restart the Service.
4. On the General tab, select Automatic as the startup type, and then start the service.

Create the maintenance plan

1. Launch the SQL Management Studio and log in.
2. In the Object Explorer pane, go to Management > Maintenance Plans, right-click Maintenance Plans, and select Maintenance Plan Wizard.
   
3. On the welcome page of the wizard, click  Next.
4. On the Select Plan Properties page, specify a name for the plan, select  Separate schedules for each task, and then click Next.
5. On the Select Maintenance Tasks page, select the Back Up Database (Full),  Back Up Database (Differential), and Back Up Database (Transaction Log) check boxes, and then click Next.
   
6. On the Select Maintenance Task Order page, leave the order as shown, and then click Next.

Define full backup settings

On the Define Back Up Database (Full) Task page, set up the full backup  according to the following instructions.

1. Select the databases that you want to back up (typically All user databases).
2. Specify when you want the backups to expire. In the following example, 14 days is specified.
   Note: This setting overwrites the oldest backup file for rotation.
3. Select your backup media (typically Disk).
4. Specify a location (either Default or as assigned by you) for your backup files.
5. Select the Verify backup integrity check box.
6. To configure the scheduling options for this task, click Change near the bottom of the page.
   
7. In the Job Schedule Properties dialog box, select Recurring for the Schedule type.
8. Specify the frequency of the backup. The following example shows full backups running on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Alter this to fit your backup plan.
9. Adjust the daily frequency according to when your backup needs to run.
10. Under Duration, adjust the Start and End dates. In the example No end date is selected.
    
11. Click OK.
12. On the Define Back Up Database (Full) Task page of the Maintenance Plan Wizard, click Next.

Define differential Backup Settings

On the Define Back Up Database (Differential) Task page, set up the differential backup according to the following instructions. The settings are similar to the settings for the full backup.

1. Select the databases that you want to back up (typically All user databases).
2. Specify when you want the backups to expire.
3. Select your backup media (typically Disk).
4. Specify a location (either Default or as assigned by you) for your backup files.
5. Select the Verify backup integrity check box.
6. To configure the scheduling options for this task, click Change near the bottom of the page.
7. In the Job Schedule Properties dialog box, select Recurring for the schedule type.
8. Specify the frequency of the backup. For example, you could choose to run differential backups on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
9. Under Duration, adjust the daily frequency according to when your backup needs to run.
10. Adjust the Start and End dates.
11. Click OK.
12. On the Define Back Up Database (Differential) Task page of the Maintenance Plan Wizard, click Next.

Define transaction log backup settings

On the Define Back Up Database (Transaction Log) Task page, set up the transaction log backup according to the following instructions.

1. Select the databases that you want to back up (typically All user databases).
2. Do not select the Backup set will expire check box.
   Expiration of transaction log backups is configured in the next section, “Set up the transaction log cleanup task."
3. Select your backup media (typically Disk).
4. Specify a location (either Default or as assigned by you) for your backup files.
5. Copy the path for the backup file and paste it to Notepad. You will need to refer to this path in later steps.
6. Select the Verify backup integrity check box.
7. To configure the scheduling options for this task, click Change near the bottom of the page.
   Note : You need to determine transaction log backup intervals based on transaction log growth. It might be necessary to run the transaction log backups at  shorter intervals to prevent transaction logs from growing.
8. In the Job Schedule Properties dialog box, select  Recurring for the Schedule type.
9. Specify the frequency of the backup. In the following example, the transaction log backups are running daily.
10. Adjust the daily frequency. In the following example, this is set to run every hour.
11. Under Duration, adjust the Start date and End date fields.
12. Click OK.
13. On the Define Back Up Database (Transaction Log) Task page of the Maintenance Plan Wizard, click Next.
14. On the Select Report Options page, specify how you want to save the details of the maintenance plan, and then click Next.
15. On the Complete the Wizard page, click Finish.
16. On the Maintenance Plan Wizard Progress page, click Close.
17. When you are returned to the SQL Server Management Studio main window, press F5 to refresh the maintenance plan with the new settings.
    The new maintenance plan is listed under Maintenance Plans in the Object Explorer pane.

Set up the transaction Log Cleanup Task

This section demonstrates how to set up a maintenance cleanup task. This task is set to clean up the transaction logs after three days. This setting keeps the one-hour transaction logs for three days, until the maintenance cleanup task deletes the old data. The transaction log cleanup must include a series of three days, which ensures that if you need to revert back to the second differential backup, you can apply the transaction logs from that time period. The goal is to have enough transaction log backups between the full and differential backups.

1. Click the maintenance plan name.
2. In the Design pane, select the Subplan_3.
3. In the Toolbox pane, select Maintenance Cleanup Task and drag it into the transaction log backup area under the Design pane.
4. Right-click on the Maintenance Cleanup Task and choose Edit.
   
5. In the Maintenance Cleanup Task dialog box, select Backup files.
6. Select Search folder and delete files based on an extension.
7. In the Folder text box, enter the path that you pasted into Notepad in the previous task. Ensure that you include the same path that your transaction logs are backing up to.
8. Enter the file extension type, trn.  Do not precede the extension with a period.
9. Select the Include the first-level sub-folders check box.
10. Select the Delete files based on the age of the file at task run time check box, and set the file age to 3 Days.
    
11. Click OK to return to the Management Studio main window.
12. Drag the green arrow from the differential backup task to the maintenance cleanup task.
13. Double-click the connected green line.
    
14. In the Precedence Constraint Editor, set Value to Completion.
    This setting allows the task to become conditional, meaning that if the differential backup did not run, then the transaction cleanup task is not run, or if the backup did run, the cleanup task is run.
    
15. Click OK to return to the Management Studio main window.
    The line should now appear blue.
16. Save your work by selecting Save All from the File menu.
    You have finished setting up your maintenance backup plan. You can adjust your backup plan to your needs, but you should first test it.

Test your setup

After you are done setting up your maintenance plan, verify that it works. You can wait a few days to see if the job completes, or you can force the job to run by performing the following steps.

1. In the Object Explorer pane of SQL Server Management Studio, browse to SQL Server Agent > Jobs.
2. Right-click the maintenance plan and select Start Job at Step.
   This command runs the first section of the maintenance plan.
3. If the job completes without error, run the next step of the maintenance plan and test-run the setup. Repeat this step for all subplans that you created in the maintenance plan.

If all of your steps run without error, your maintenance plan works and you are finished.

Troubleshoot errors by viewing the job history

If any of the jobs fail when testing the maintenance plan, view the job history to see what failed.

1. In the Object Explorer pane, right-click the failed subplan and select View History.
   The Log File Viewer window, which shows the job history, is displayed.
   If the job failed  a red X icon is displayed next to the time that you ran the job.
   
2. Click the row for the failed job.
   Details about the error appear below the table. Scroll or expand the pane to see more information.
3. Troubleshoot the error and repeat the test-job.

When your maintenance plan is reliable, check it in a few days to see if it is running as expected. Verify that the .bak files are being removed after the expiration and that the transaction logs are being cleaned up after three days.

Microsoft office cannot verify the license for the application. A repair attempt failed or was cancelled by the user. The application will shut down

Error message, "Microsoft office cannot verify the license for the application. A repair attempt failed or was cancelled by the user. The application will shut down". I get this error message when opening Office.

Method: 1
Make sure the system service "Office Software Protection Platform Service" is automatic and started.
1. Click on Start, type 'services.msc' (without quotes) in search programs and files box above Start and press enter
2. Locate ‘Office Software Protection Platform Service’list right click on it and click on properties.
3. Under General tab, Startup type, Automatically
4. Click Apply and OK.

Method: 2
You may repair Office 2010 using the link below and check if licensing works fine:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/repair-or-remove-office-2010-HA010357402.aspx

Method: 3
If the above steps fail, run the 'Fix It' tool available for Office suite from the link mentioned below this will remove all the installed components of Office
Note: Before running the ‘fix it’ tool make sure that you have the Office 2010 installation source file and its product key to reinstall it back.
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
Note: If you are using Windows 64 bit operating system, save the ‘Fix it’ on desktop before running it.
Once you have uninstalled Office you may use the installation source file and the product key to reinstall Office 2010 and verify the status.