WSUS not syncing correctly in SonicWall environment

I have a client whose Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) was not syncing correctly and therefor computers were not getting updated. The event viewer logs on the server had the following entry:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Windows Server Update Services
Event Category: Synchronization
Event ID: 364
Description:Content file download failed.
Reason: The server does not support the necessary HTTP protocol. Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) requires that the server support the Range protocol header. Source File: /msdownload/update/v3-19990518/cabpool/photolibrary_0da3b50e5b2cdad0a44d21f10d825d8be8d5be3b.cab Destination File: F:\WSUS\WsusContent\3B\0DA3B50E5B2CDAD0A44D21F10D825D8BE8D5BE3B.cab.

Microsoft KB 922330 resolution method 2 was to "Enable HTTP Byte-Range request with Gateway AV" on the SonicWall firewall.

To get to the Sonicwall setting log onto your firewall. After you have logged on, change the URL from /main.html to /diag.html. Click Internal Settings button. Check "Enable HTTP Byte-Range requests with Gateway AV". Click Apply button. Click Close button. Restart is not required.

Test WSUS by manually syncing. Sync should begin.

Thanks to this site for the info http://parkesy.wordpress.com/category/sonicwall/

Excel 2007 Can't Save As 2003 Issue With Specific File

I have one Excel file that is in 2003 format and needs to be saved in 2003 format. The problem I was having was when I saved the file as 2003 using Excel 2007, excel would always crash. This was happening on multiple computers with the file being stored locally. A side note was that if the file is saved as 2007, compatibility pack would also crash.

A fix that i found was to remove Windows Update KB908531. To do this go to Add/Remove Programs and check Show Updates. Scroll down until you fined KB908531 and delete it. Restart your computer.

iPhone demo

I am demoing an iPhone and wanted to share the pros and cons I have experienced. My suggestion is to hold off on getting an iPhone. The iPhone is a consumer phone and business user should avoid it. Within six months there will be plenty of phones that can do just as much as the iPhone like the AT&T Tilt, LG Voyager, or Blackberry 9xxx. Some are out now.

PROS

Aesthetically pleasing
Built apps like YouTube and Google Maps
Built in iTunes can use Wi-Fi
Some screens rotate when phone is rotated from portrait to landscape
8 GB HD.

CONS

Requires iTunes
Uses AT&T Edge network which is extremely slow
Only wireless synchs mail. Does not wirelessly synch calendar or contacts
Mail is synched every 15 minutes and not real time.
Does not have the ability to view MMS pictures.
Keys are very close on touch keyboard
No direct link to Exchange other than with MAPI – most IT departments will not turn this on for security reasons. Workaround is to use 3rd party solution like http://www.synchronica.com/
No OMA ability.
No remote administration options for IT. IT departments need a way to wipe phones and to deploy group policies like passwords.
Cannot install other applications or games.
Safari browser only. No IE, Firefox, or Opera.
Non standard headset jack.
No ability to copy and paste.
No instant messenger. But with a funky keyboard IM would be difficult.
Mail should rotate to landscape mode and allow a wider touch keyboard.
Next generation should have a slider keyboard like the AT&T Tilt has.
No video recording capability.
Short battery life.
Phone gets warm.
Phone is a tad heavy.
8 GB HD.