Replies

1. REM = remark, or human readable bit that the machine ignores.

2. Yes, after the equal sign. You can use any valid path, e.g. \server1share1folder1subfolder1

3. Migration is really a 2 step process. 1. copy all the data, which takes a long time. 2. copy files that have been updated post copy. The other steps, like security, are to allow you to fix all the broken permissions you will encounter during the migration – I’ve never had a clean migration and I’ve done lots.
Perform the migration steps one at a time and peruse the error log after each step. Fix any errors and run that step again until all is well.

4. If you don’t know, you don’t have any – this is for archive programs like Symantec Enterprise Vault.

5. Restore from the archive program to the new server.

cheers, Paul

Thanks Paul

I have set up a small test LAN and used the Alternate Command to copy across the data initially from one server to another, only problem is the date modified for all Folders are not same as original but the date on which they were created? All files have the correct date modified!

Will running step 4 sort that out or have I missed something?

Kev

Ouch!
Set up the recovery server as a copy of the original and mirror the data, preferably overnight, using Robocopy on the recovery server.
To use the recovery server, rename it as the original server so users don’t have to re-map – don’t forget to turn off Robocopy.

cheers, Paul

Thanks Paul,

I found the link to Robocopy quite enlightening, couple of questions though (Never used Robocopy before!).
1. I assume that REM before each line stops that command from running?
2. In the setlocal area what would need to be changed for a different Server: the portion after the equals sign and what format would it need to be in?
3. Could I run the Alternate command first, and then when finished REM that out and then use step 4 to complete the data Migration?
4. How could I tell if the server has any offline files?
5. If I have, how do they get copied across to new Server.
Sorry for all the questions but trying to expand my knowledge and understand the processes involved.
Kev

The way I do server config to allow easy recovery.
1. Use RAID disks. These can be removed from dead hardware and installed as-is in new hardware from the same manufacturer.
2. Create a RAID 1 array for the OS and programs.
3. Use the rest as RAID 5 for data.

With this plan you can do a BMR in a couple of hours, then plug the data disks in and you’re away.

cheers, Paul

Thanks Paul

1. Already using RAID disks.
2. OS and Programs on RAID 1 array.
3. Data on RAID 5 array.

Unfortunately we cannot afford to have additional new hardware to same spec as original due to financial constraints. Recovery Server is a medium spec core i7 machine (16Gb RAM) with 2 x 2TB HDDs 1 for OS and another for data, which is ok on a temporary basis.

Kev

HowToGeeks guide linked from here, Channel 9 video.

Thanks for posting the link, will have to get my learning head on!

Kev

Microsoft says the 2GB of virtual address space is shared by Excel, the workbook, and any add-ins running in the same process.

It might be worthwhile to download Sysinternals Process Explorer and run it on that workstation.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/processexplorer

When the issue occurs, you will be able to see what is loaded and what is being used.

You will also be able to attach the debugger to the process, and create a dump for analysis.

I have downloaded and installed Process explorer, must now wait until the fault rears it’s ugly head again.

As this is a new tool for me do you know where i could find some instructions etc…

Kev

Continuing the elimination process then, I’d plug this particular PC into a network location where another PC opens the network files properly . . .

Sherlock Holmes “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” !

I have already done so when i changed the port that the PC was using for a port that was used by a known good PC and then replaced the Switch when the fault re-occurred!

Irrespective of which port on this network switch the PC is connected to the fault still occurs.

Kev

So, to eliminate further possibilities (eg the network between the PC and the server), what happens if you copy the files to the PC and open them from there ?

Copied files to PC all open up fine; Network versions don’t always cause this error for this one user. No one else has this problem!

I have replaced the switch -fault still apparent, changed ports on the original and replacement, -fault still apparent, Network cable replaced -fault still apparent!

Kev

Are you using the 32-bit, or 64-bit version of Office 2010?

32-bit version OS is 64bit.

Aware that 32-bit has a maximum memory of 2GB but, spreadsheets are only Kb in size and user never has more than 3 open at any one time.

Kev

My questions were surmising it could be:

1. A network issue – if there’s a network hardware problem, that would persist through all the software changes you’ve made.

2. Corruption in the Office installation.

1. If it was a network issue then all the other users would see that also, complete Workstation change would rule out network hardware problem.

2. “repaired office installation” This was carried out on both original workstation and new workstation!

Kev

Physical memory is only one part of the resources puzzle, Pushing the Limits of Windows describes a few more – get a thermos of coffee ready before you sit down to read it.

Back with Win3-9x, there were a couple of tiny files that were used to keep track of, iirc, files that had been opened/used in the current session, when they became full, an OOR error would crop up, the only way to fix it was a reboot. I worked on one machine that we could get to hit the Win9x limit of 2x 128k with the aid of MS Office inside 15 minutes… things have improved a lot since then but those optional columns in TaskMan’s Processes tab might come in useful.

I worked with one forum user more recently who had HP bloatware bogging down the machine, ~20k Handles open post -boot (nowhere near the limit but indicative that something was wrong, the System total was only ~34k) just for the 4-5 HP processes, that was on W7.

I have “minimised background application start-ups” to bare minimum in fact they are a lots less than everyone elses.

Kev

This is somewhat a touchy subject with some folks but here goes:
The mention of resources goes back at least to Win3.1 [my first computer] and usually refers to the swap file or paging file/Virtual Memory. I use the recommended setting, in Help, about virtual memory, of 1.5 times the physical RAM and never have a problem but larger functions as spreadsheets, databases, video editing, etc., could benefit from a larger setting. At the present time with 8GB RAM and 2 HDDs I put 2GB on the C: drive and 10-12GB on the D: drive. Some programs look for the paging file on the same drive as the OS.

I have used the default settings for the swap file which work well on the other 6 similar machines!

Kev

Are the spreadsheets local or accessed across the network ?

When you say “built complete new machine” does that mean a fresh installation of Office 2010 ?

PS you need to keep your lipstick well away from the Registry :rolleyes:

The spread sheets are all across the network.

“Complete new machine” means different workstation, different brand, and different hardware.
Looks like my grammar check is misbehaving?

Kev

All our Workstations are imaged using Windows 7 System image to a dedicated Server so that side shouldn’t present a problem.

Kev

We have just upgraded most of the Workstations so there will be limited (None probably) funds for any further upgrades. I was looking at upgrading before the end of the free upgrade period, find it hard to belive that MS have’nt sorted this upgrade mechanism out yet!

Kev