There are times when an ESX server will need the Management Service restarted.   Usually this is when the ESX host is grayed out and the guest machines are “disconnected”.

To restart the service, log onto the console and execute the following:

# service mgmt-vmware stop
# service mgmt-vmware start (can take up to 1 minute before fully online)
OR
# service mgmt-vmware restart

In order to successfully run these commands they will have to be executed as root (or using sudo)

This is an update to a previous post about the MS live Sign-In assistant causing Java programs to stop functioning. Microsoft released an update to the Windows Live Sign-In Assistant.  

The update is listed as an optional update through Microsoft Update as “Update for Windows Live Sign-In Assistant (KB 947449)” .     At this moment MS does not have anything on the support site for this KB.

After downloading this update and re-enabling the IE application plug-ins, Java Applications are functioning as expected.   I can’t say they are functioning well because after all, it is Java we are talking about.

I could probably go on for hours on how I dislike Java but I won’t.   I am sure a quick Google search would reveal many blog postings that would share my opinion.   A week or so ago, I started to realize that one my applications that relied on Java stopped working.   I don’t really get into this program too much so I couldn’t really see what was wrong.     I just got a gray screen, nothing else. 

After getting a gray screen, I did what most people would do.  Upgrade Java (again), but I still got the same results.    When I checked my Java installation out on Sun’s Java site, It gave me the following error saying  "Several Java Virtual Machines running in the same process caused an error." (See Picture.)

I thought something was wrong with the installation of my machine, I was starting to consider re-formatting my machine.  I decided to give one Java one more chance and tried to bring up the Java Console within Internet Explorer to see if it could give me any clues.   I was greeted with the following error saying "The Java Runtime Environment cannot be loaded" (see Picture).  A reformat seemed more likely as each moment passed.

In a last ditch effort, I did another Google search and came up with this forum post pointing to MS Live stopping Java.  The forum also talks about changing memory settings, which didn’t help me.  It ended up, that the Windows Live Sign-in add-on  in IE7 was causing the failure.   I disabled the plug-in within IE7 in the Internet Options.   On the Programs tab select "Manage Add-ons" and find the 2 Windows Live Sign-On items and disable them using the radio button on the bottom of the window.

I was close to a reformat but Google saved me once again.   I don’t know why Live stopped Java from running but I know how to fix it.    Hopefully if you have this problem, this posting helps you fix the problem and lets you avoid the pain I went through.

It goes without saying that identity theft is a big problem these days.  The ads for companies that say they can help protect you are all over talk radio.  Chances are, you know someone that has been a victim of identity theft or credit card fraud.

Everybody should know how to prevent identity theft and know what to do when it does happen.   A lot of people want to sell you a information on how to do this but why pay for it when you can get it for free? 

Here are some recommended reads:

• ID Theft: What It’s All About (711 KB, 36 pg)  – A fairly short informational pamphlet from the FTC.  It gives a brief introduction to ID theft and provides some options on how to protect yourself.
• Identity Theft (452 KB, 22 pg) – Brought to you by the Federal Reserve of Boston, this booklet gives a good introduction to what identity theft is, and how it happens.   It also provides information on how to prevent ID theft and what to do if you find that you are a victim.  There is a companion video along with the booklet, available here.
• Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number (218 KB, 8 pg) – Someone illegally using your Social Security number can steal your financial identity and your money. Find out how to prevent identify theft, how to report it if you suspect it, and if you can get a new Social Security number if you are a victim.

Happy reading…

It seems as if every time I am writing a script or program that interfaces with either a mail or FTP server.  I run to my friend Google to find out what status codes I should be looking for.   A person would think they would be committed to memory by now, but they would be wrong.

So I did the next best thing, I collected them from around the ‘Net and created a new Resources section of this site.  There you will find:

• FTP Status Codes
• SMTP Status Codes
• Extended SMTP Status Codes
• HTTP Status Codes

I will be adding to this list as the need arises so check back.  

For those who have tried Docs and Spreadsheets from Google will be happy to find out that they have been updated.   The new interface is much more visually appealing as well as easier to navigate. 

The old tags system has been replaced with folders that you can drag and drop your documents in to keep organized. 

As  a Google Apps for domain user I am pleased to see these changes implemented.   The interface didn’t seem to flow for me, but the sharing features have been invaluable to my consulting ventures. 

Go Google..  good work.

Here is a good bit of news, Google has made it easier for larger organizations to migrate to Google Apps.   They released that they are providing tools that will allow you to migrate from an IMAP mail system to Google Apps.   Of course, the only problem is that you will need to subscribe to the Premier or Education Edition.

I have been using Google Apps for my personal e-mail accounts for some time now an have to say that this was a big deal.  I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to move my e-mail from my old provider to Google without changing the timestamp on the e-mail. 

Although it isn’t available for the regular users of Google Apps right now, maybe it will be soon…

I came across this message earlier today when I was trying to re-key a SSL certificate for a project I am working on.  After I got over my frustration, I found the error quite funny.    If the only success I had was to get an error the message is correct.

 Well, my frustration didn’t stop there.  I thought I would call GoDaddy and see what the issue was.   Unfortunately he said it was a client side issue and he couldn’t help me.  Not the greatest tech support call I have had lately.  After hanging up and waiting a few minutes, I tried it again and it magically started working.   <sarcasm> Obviously it was something with my computer</sarcasm>

All in all not the greatest tech support experience, but with discount prices I should expect discount services.

Technorati Tags: Go Daddy – SSL – Errors – Funny Error Messages

I came across MyIPNeighbors through a posting on Digg and thought it was cool enough to pass on.  It is a reverse IP domain check, in other words it can tell you what domains are hosted on the same IP address…  Your IP neighbor.  I ran it on TRF and found that I have 428 web neighbors.  Some of them are pretty interesting, some are still in development.  I have yet to go through them all, maybe when I get some time.

If you have a shared hosting plan and you would like to see what domains are hosted on your IP, go to www.myipneighbors.com.