Archive for the ‘Windows’ category

Computer Security, and I mean physical security, not network security

June 5th, 2010

We have had a few incidents of gear getting stolen lately, including a laptop, computer bag, desktop, and the RAM out of a machine.  It should serve as  reminder that anytime someone could just walk off with almost anything.  The one that got me was when the RAM was taken out of a machine in a lab.  Someone has to know a little to get that RAM out and know what to do with it after.  There are some security cable locks and such you can use.

Kensington Memory Lock – http://bit.ly/9pgtKJ

It is a keyed lock system with cables that use a super duty glue to stick to a desk and then to the desktop or monitor.

Kensington ComboSaver Notebook Lock – http://bit.ly/d71Lch

Most notebooks have a hole in the side for this type of lock.  If you visit the link you will see how it connect to a notebook.

There are also security screws you can use on desktops to prevent the insides being removed, but it’s doesn’t do a whole lot of good when the whole tower is walked off with.  Just use common sense, lock your door when you leave, if you are leaving for a longer period of time move the laptop out of plain sight.  Chances are small something will disappear, but you don’t want it to be your $1,800 Macbook Pro.

Initializing the Root folders to display – Active directory issues

June 5th, 2010

So I ran across this error recently.  We use Microsoft’s AD product for server and have several drive that get mapped when we log in.  A user was getting this error.  

initializing the root folders to display

Turns out this is an issue when you have those mapped drives.  If you go to My Computer, check to see if the network drives show as disconnected.  If they do, that’s usually the cause of this issue.  Double click those network drive and see if this error message stops showing up.  I’ll bet it does.  Now, it you continue to have this issue, there are other issues with those drives not staying connected you need to check out.  That’s for another day….