Computer Software Questions

[Wyosteve]

I'm looking for some recommendations for Web sites that answer computer software questions (preferably free). Having a couple of problems with Outlook and of course the Microsoft Knowledge base is of no help whatsoever.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

What level of problem are you having? Are you using outlook at home, or are you setting it up with Exchange on an office server?

 

[Wyosteve]

Using it through an in-office Exchange 2003 Server. The issue is that on a couple of my Outlook 2000 machines running XP, when new messages arrive, they are not displayed until the user clicks on another folder or goes to Contacts or Calendar and back to Inbox. This ones got me.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Oh well, to advanced for me to answer :erm:

 

[Ignacio]

The issue is that on a couple of my Outlook 2000 machines running XP,

If it's not a local workstation setting the users have fiddle with recently--a 6 year old version of software now 2 full versions behind the current operating system it's running. I can't imagine that's helping. I thought I remember Office 2000 not being supported on XP SP2.....or perhaps they might be partially if you're running SP3 on the Office part.

 

[NoCage]

I've known of other situations like yours (Exchange Server 2003, client running XP & Outlook 2000) that had sporadic machines do exactly what you describe. Like Ignacio suggested, get the latest Office 2000 service pack and hope... otherwise upgrade to a newer Office version. Besides, staying current with all of Microsoft's products is cheap. (NOT!!!).

 

[dcarver]

Try it with the Web client... OWA... If that works then it helps clarify/reduce the problem..

 

[Wyosteve]

Thanks for the feedback folks. I went in and updated XP with Windows Update and then did all the office updates. SP3 is out now. Jeez it's hard to keep up with those people. Long story short, that fixed the problem.

Again, thanks to all.

Steve

 

[dcarver]

good for you!

and remember.. every 2nd tuesday of the month is patch tuesday..

 

[radman]

I put SP2 on my gamer-and 15 minutes later dumped it. The mess it made of my video defies description.

 

[Wyosteve]

Good old Microsoft. I think I know why I have gray hair.

 

[radman]

I have a little game for MS haters thats fun. Beat Up Microsoft

 

[Wyosteve]

radman,

Thanks, now I feel much better.

Steve

 

[kindofblue]

I thought I remember Office 2000 not being supported on XP SP2.

Ignacio,

I've got Office 2000 on 2 XP SP2 PCs and they run just fine. But then I don't use Outlook. <_<

 

[Bounce]

Thanks for the feedback folks.  I went in and updated XP with Windows Update and then did all the office updates.  SP3 is out now.  Jeez it's hard to keep up with those people.  Long story short, that fixed the problem. 
Again, thanks to all.

Steve

Do your updates as soon as they are out. Check no less than monthly. They plug so many holes in M$ stuff all the time that it's vital to stay current if you're going to maintain even the slightest level of security against exploitation in an office environment.

When helping someone else, make checking for updates the first thing you do.

 

[dcarver]

for outlook stuff i use slipstick.com

 

[Wyosteve]

Bounce,

Yeah, try to keep up as much as possible. With 40 machines to watch over, it can become a full time job. And I'm the only IT guy. Guess I need to work about 60 hours a week. NOT! It's starting to warm up and there's an FJR in the garage that really needs some exercise.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[dcarver]

WyoSteve, I understand. I have 60 MS servers to manage. Automation is the key. If you haven't already, look at Windows Software Update Services (WSUS). Essentially, one server contacts MS for the updates, the admin approves the patches as he sees fit, then automagically the clients contact the WSUS server and recieve their updates. I have an AD domain so group policies control when the clients contact WSUS, reboot time if needed, etc. To our users, it as seamless as possible. There are approximately 7,000 client machines in the domain.

I also use Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) to monitor the health of all servers / clients and managed AV via Symantic.

Sorry if you already knew all this.

 

[Wyosteve]

dcarver,

Thanks for the info. Was sort of familiar with old SMS but it was expensive and a pain in the ass for our little operation. Have just three servers to deal with, but automating client updates would be a great way to go. Get so busy with day to day stuff, it is hard to get away and learn some new stuff.

Thanks again,

Steve