West Region News for Education : Product Support Services

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and Excel Services in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 hotfixes

LShort — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:47:00 GMT

Microsoft has recently addressed an issue in Excel 2007 and Excel Services in Office SharePoint Server 2007 through the following hotfixes: · Excel 2007 hotfix package: October 3, 2007 ( KB 943075 ) · Excel Services in Office SharePoint Server 2007 hotfix...(read more)

Technical Readiness for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 - June 7, 2007

jolumia — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:08:00 GMT

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Windows Server 2003 Service Pack Information

Top 10 Reasons to Install Windows Server 2003 SP2

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/sp2/top-reasons.mspx

Security Updates/Hotfixes

Windows Server 2003 SP2 will get all of your Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional x64 Editions up to date with the latest Security Bulletin updates and Hotfixes, ensuring the highest level of security, reliability, stability, manageability, supportability and compatibility.

Deploy your operating systems more effectively

Building upon our previous deployment solutions, Windows Deployment Services (WDS) offers customers a complete ‘out of the box’ provisioning solution. WDS provides organizations with manageable image store, remote booting, PXE boot support, and more; all in a greatly improved management interface. WDS also uses the new file-based Windows Imaging Format (WIM) which facilitates deployments on Windows Vista and Windows Server “Longhorn”.

Improved networking performance

Windows Server SP2 offers solutions to network traffic challenges in an era of the multi-Gigabit Ethernet. Increases to CPU resources required to handle high network traffic can potentially inhibit scaling and effectively reduce the performance gains that are possible with increased link speeds. Windows Server 2003 SP2 Scalable Networking Pack (SNP), introduces technologies that helps organizations cost-effectively scale network-based applications to meet growing demands. The Scalable Networking pack Increases network and application performance by freeing up CPU cycles and more efficiently using processor resources. More information on the Scalable Networking Pack can be found at www.microsoft.com/snp

Improved manageability for IPsec

Server and Domain Isolation are key security benefits offered on Microsoft Networks. By using Active Directory, domain memberships and group policies, Server and Domain Isolation allows companies to logically segment their networks. This means that you can restrict non-domain computers which aren’t managed at a corporate level (lab computers, guests or other unsecure systems) from communicating with non- domain members. Service Pack 2 improves Server and Domain Isolation by reducing the IPsec filter set that needs to be managed from potentially hundreds of filters to as few as 2 filters. More information on Server and Domain Isolation can be found at www.microsoft.com/sdisolation.

Utility improvements

Making common tasks easier, SP2 introduces customer-driven improvements to the Domain Controller Diagnostics tool (DCDIAG) and MS Configuration (MSCONFIG) tool. SP2 also has an updated Access Control List (ICACLS) program to allow for greater flexibility when backing up Access Control Lists.

Management tools made easier

SP2 includes the Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC 3.0). MMC provides a framework that unifies and simplifies day-to-day system management tasks on Windows by providing common navigation, menus, toolbars, and workflow across diverse tools. MMC tools (called snap-ins) can be used to administer networks, computers, services, applications and other system components. MMC does not perform administrative functions, but hosts a variety of Windows and non-Microsoft snap-ins that do.

Single install experience

It patches both the R2 and non-R2 versions of Windows Server 2003. This reduces the amount of patch management for an organization.

Support for additional languages

Service Pack 2 will be released in 9 additional localized languages for Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions including: German, French, Korean, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, Spanish, Italian, Russian and, Portuguese (Brazilian).

Performance improvements

Service Pack 2 offers performance improvements for Windows Server 2003 running as a Virtual Server guest under high Advanced Processor Interrupt Controller (APIC) rates. It also improves SQL Server performance under intensive workloads. Both of these improvements lead to more efficient data processing.

Manage new wireless settings without the hassle

SP2 provides the ability to manage the WPA2 protocol for wireless networks. This supports and simplifies the process of discovering and connecting to wireless networks in your home or on the road.

Notes at the time of Release

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is released. The SP2 update can be applied to all Windows Server 2003 products and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

Before installing this service pack please read the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Technical Library covering:-

What’s new in Windows 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows 2003 SP2 installation and deployment guide
Installing and deploying updates for Microsoft Windows server 2003
Readme for Windows 2003 SP2
SP2 Release notes

SP2 on the Download Center

Download this version of SP2 if you need to deploy it to multiple servers over a network.

•	x86 on Download Center

•	x64 on Download Center

•	XP x64 on Download Center

•	ia64 on Download Center

SP2 Standalone ISO-9660 CD Image File on the Download Center

Download this version of SP2 if you want to create your own CD.

•	x86 ISO Image on Download Center

•	x64 ISO Image on Download Center

•	XP x64 ISO Image on Download Center

•	ia64 ISO Image on Download Center

Related Resources

· Windows Server 2003 SP2 Home Page http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/sp2.mspx .

· List of Updates in Windows Server 2003 SP2 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914962 .

· SP2 FAQ http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/sp2/faq.mspx .

· Some scenarios to review Knowledge Base Article 932600 .

· System Preparation tool for W2K3 SP2 Deployment (SysPrep) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=93f20bb1-97aa-4356-8b43-9584b7e72556&DisplayLang=en .

· System Preparation tool for W2K3 SP2 Deployment (SysPrep x64) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c2684c95-6864-4091-bc9a-52aec5491af7&DisplayLang=en .

· Descriptions of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Support Tools http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;926027 .

· The KB Analyzer Tool (Oobmig.exe) is available to restore trust to out-of-band updates after you install Windows Server 2003 SP2 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=931941 .

· Hotfix Scan Tool for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Deployment http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931940/.

Known Issues

Known issues with Windows Server 2003 SP2 have been published to the Release notes.

Release Notes for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/ed5382af-e819-4d33-ace0-225d31b7ab751033.mspx?mfr=true

Below is a compiled list of other know issues that may or may not appear on the Release Notes page mentioned above.

Internet Explorer

The original release notes for SP2 indicated that “If you installed Internet Explorer 7 after installing Windows Server 2003 SP1, you must uninstall Internet Explorer 7 before you install Windows Server 2003 SP2." This was incorrect or at least misleading. This is not a problem for installations of SP2 on an existing Windows Server with IE7. It is only an issue for those who upgrade to SP2 via slipstreamed media (because Windows Server 2003 shipped with IE6 originally). This is similar to any other out-of-order update that is generically described in http://support.microsoft.com/?id=823836.
The release notes have been corrected and now read as follows:

You do not need to uninstall Internet Explorer 7 prior to installing Windows Server 2003 SP2.

If you have previously installed Internet Explorer 7 on a computer running Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and are now installing Windows Server 2003 SP2 using Microsoft Update, the downloadable SP2 update from the Microsoft Download Center, or the SP2 update CD, your computer will retain Internet Explorer 7 as expected.

If you have previously installed Internet Explorer 7 on a computer running Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and are now installing the integrated version of Windows Server 2003 SP2 (that is, the full operating system integrated with the service pack), the computer will have Internet Explorer 6 as the default browser in Windows Server 2003 SP2. You will need to reinstall Internet Explorer 7.

Custom hotfixes

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932132

Custom hotfixes that were created in the last few months and recently installed may need to be removed and updated:
Certain Windows Server 2003 hotfixes have been repackaged to be compatible with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2):
Recommended Action: Please review the list of hotfixes in the KB article above. If any have been installed within the NASDAQ environment, they will have to be uninstalled and updated per the instructions in the KB article.

TCPIP receive scaling issue

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927695/en-us

In case someone encounter any network related issues

Task scheduler Acct issue

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933550/en-us

Note this issue will arise only if you uninstall SP2 for some reason

Help service issue

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937055/en-us

No hotfix. Configuration change is needed

Support tools update

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926027/en-us

WMI corruption prevention issue

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933061/en-us

Several Security Updates not showing up in Windows Update / Microsoft Update:

If you know that your Windows Server is missing some security updates but you notice that WU/MU or WSUS is not showing you those updates as long as SP2 is selected, this is expected behavior. That is because these security updates are superseded by Win2k3 SP2. So, MU/WU will show SP2 as being necessary and not the superseded updates. The only way to get MU to show the superseded updates is to hide Win2k3 SP2.

Windows Server 2003 SP2 Hotfix Regression Scan Tool

Microsoft has released a tool that can be used to scan Windows Server 2003 machines to determine if they have had any post-SP1 hot fixes installed that could cause regression errors. This tool is detailed in KB 931940 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931940) and the tool is available at : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=EFF8438F-8CC9-43EB-85C7-14DFCC099EE8&displaylang=en. Below are some other details:

BACKGROUND

For Windows Server 2003 SP2, there are 26 specific hotfixes that must be reinstalled either before or after you install the service pack. To install Windows Server 2003 SP2, the recommended procedure is to first install the reissued hotfixes. Then, install Windows Server 2003 SP2 at a time that is convenient for you. The hotfixes will automatically migrate to the SP2 version of the hotfix.

If Windows Server 2003 SP2 is installed without replacing these hotfixes, the installation will complete successfully. However, the behavior fix that is previously provided by the hotfix will not be present after SP2 installation.

This issue does not affect any Windows Server 2003 hotfixes that are available publicly, either from the Microsoft Download Center or from the Windows Update Web site. This includes Windows Server 2003 security updates. This issue is limited to these 26 hotfixes that were made available only from Microsoft Customer Support to specific customers. Microsoft typically informs these customers when we deliver these hotfixes.

For more information, please review the following KB article:

Certain Windows Server 2003 hotfixes have been repackaged to be compatible with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932132

INTRODUCTION

You can use this tool (HotfixScanTool.vbs) to scan for hot fixes that may regress when you install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2). You can also use this tool to determine regressed hotfixes after you install Windows Server 2003 SP2.

MORE INFORMATION

The Hotfix Scan Tool is a Visual Basic script file. After you install the tool, the HotfixScanTool.vbs file is located in the %windir%\System32 folder.

The Hotfix Scan Tool behaves differently depending on whether you run this tool in a pre- or post- SP2 installation:

· Pre-SP2 Install:

o Displays list of hot fixes that may regress

o Blocks installation of SP2

· Post-SP2 Install:

o Displays list of regressed hot fixes

The Hotfix Scan Tool writes its output to a text file called ComputerName_log.txt in the folder where the tool is running.

There are several command-line switches that can be used to further assist you:

· /d Unblock the installation of Windows Server 2003 SP2.

· /v Log more detailed information in the output text file.

· /q Run in quiet mode. In quiet mode, the tool logs information only. No output is displayed.

· /help Display the syntax of this tool.

· /? Same as /help.

· /h Same as /help.

Author:tulliog

Microsoft Product Support Policy on Virtualization

jolumia — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:02:00 GMT

The following Knowledge Base articles are authoritative AFAIK

Microsoft Virtual Server support policy

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897613

Windows Server System software not supported within a Microsoft Virtual Server environment

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897614

Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615/

Microsoft Support Lifecycle Update - April 2007

jolumia — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:36:00 GMT

Lifecycle Website: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/

Lifecycle Top-5 Things You Should Know:

1. MSL Policy provides a minimum of five years of Mainstream and five years of Extended Support

2. Extended Support phase includes security updates at no additional cost (on latest service pack) and fee-based incident support

3. Extended Support phase includes the option of Extended Hotfix Support (EHS)

4. After the five-year Extended Support phase, products are not supported, but Custom Support may be available

5. Customers are encouraged to stay current on service packs, which minimizes their risk to security exploits or loss of support.

NOTE: “Extended support is not offered for Consumer, Hardware, Multimedia, and Microsoft Dynamics products.”

Upcoming Critical Product Transitions

Transitioning from Mainstream Support to Extended Support

· Visual Studio .NET 2002 – July 10, 2007

Transitioning to Non-Support

· Exchange Server 2003 SP1 – January 9, 2007

· Windows Server 2003 SP0 (RTM) – April 10, 2007

· Windows XP Embedded SP1 – April 10, 2007

· SUS 1.0 and SUS 1.0 SP1 – July 10, 2007

· SQL Server 2000 SP3a – July 10, 2007

Transitioning from Mainstream Support to Non-Support

· Great Plains 7.5 – January 9, 2007

· Great Plains 8.0 and 8.0 Standard – October 9, 2007

Support Extended

· Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 – Mainstream Support Extension

· Exchange Server 2003 SP1 – extended until January 8, 2008

· Exchange Server 2003 – April 14, 2009

· Windows XP – April 14, 2009

Other Announcments and Information

Major/Minor Product Support Policy

In the past, Microsoft has supported products in the same product family by using the same support timeline. In the majority of the cases, the support timeline has not been an issue, as products in the same family have been released around the same time. However, when minor products have been released at a later date, customers have experienced confusion in determining the support end date. Microsoft is clarifying the policy around the release of these minor products today.

Moving forward, Microsoft products will be classified as either major or minor products. Minor products will take on the support timeline of the major product, while major products will always restart the Microsoft Support Lifecycle clock. Microsoft will continue to publish the support timeline of all products on the external site http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle.

The illustration below depicts the Support Lifecycle of a major product (Windows Server 2003) and a minor product (Windows Server 2003 R2) and details the minor product following the same support timeline as the major product. While Windows Server 2003 R2 was released over a year after Windows Server 2003, as a minor product it follows the same support lifecycle as the main release.

Security Update Download Process

Under the Security Update Download process, Microsoft previously provided security updates for Business and Developer products via Microsoft Update during the five years of the Mainstream Support phase, and the first two years of Extended Support. The remaining three years of Extended Support required customers to obtain the security updates from the Microsoft Download Center rather than via Microsoft Update.

With the clarification to the Security Update Download process, the Extended Support phase has been modified to include Microsoft Security Updates via Microsoft Update for the full five years of Extended Support. Due to technical limitations in Microsoft Office 2000, updates for customers will not be available via Microsoft Update, which will remain an exception to this updated policy.

Support for Internet Explorer 6 continues following the release of Internet Explorer 7

With the debut of Windows Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft wants to make sure that you understand that support for Internet Explorer 6 will continue, based on the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy.

Under the Microsoft Support Lifecycle, Internet Explorer is supported as a component of the product with which it shipped. The support timelines for Internet Explorer will be inherited from the shipping product and its service packs. This means:

· Versions of Internet Explorer that shipped as a part of the operating system will be supported with the support lifecycle of the operating system.

· Updates to Internet Explorer that are shipped as a part of the operating system service packs will be supported as part of that service pack. Customers must upgrade to a supported operating system service pack to continue to receive support for Internet Explorer.

There will be no change to how Internet Explorer 6 is supported. The following operating systems have Internet Explorer 6 installed and will follow the lifecycle of the operating system: Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

Versions of Internet Explorer 6 that shipped as a part of the operating system or its associated service packs will continue to follow the support lifecycle of the operating system. Any updates to Internet Explorer 6 that are shipped as a part of the operating system service packs will be supported as a part of the service pack. Customers must upgrade to a supported operating system service pack to continue to receive support for Internet Explorer.

Details about Internet Explorer can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifesupsps/#Internet_Explorer. The Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy continues to provide five years of Mainstream Support and five years of Extended Support for Business-Developer products, whereas Consumer products receive five years of Mainstream Support.

SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE) Users Encouraged to Upgrade to SQL Express

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE) will not be supported on Windows Vista. Microsoft recommends that all customer migrate their MSDE applications to SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SQL Express) at the earliest opportunity. Technical guidance and migration resources are available to help make this transition and SQL Express is free to download, deploy, and redistribute.

As the plan of record, MSDE Mainstream Support (on supported Operating Systems released before Windows Vista) will continue until April 8, 2008 (extended support until April 8, 2013). Additional information can be obtained at MSDE Mainstream and Extended Support Retirement Dates.

Support WebCast: Deploying Microsoft Windows 2000 Updates for daylight saving time (DST) changes for worldwide use - January 18, 2007 10am PST

jolumia — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:01:00 GMT

Folks,

There will be a webcast provided for DST changes on Windows 2000. This may be very beneficial to our customers who will be applying the manual fixes for Windows 2000 per - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914387

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Support WebCast: Deploying Microsoft Windows 2000 updates for daylight saving time changes for worldwide use Event ID: 1032324210

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032324210&EventCategory=2&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

Language(s):	English.
Product(s):	Office, Windows, Windows Vista.
Audience(s):	Architect, Business Decision Maker, Business PC User, Business Professional, Developer, Education, Government, Home PC User, IT Professional, Other, Partner, Student, Technology Decision Maker.

Duration:	60 Minutes
Start Date:	Thursday, January 18, 2007 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)


Event Overview
This Support WebCast introduces the daylight saving time changes for calendar year 2007. This session also provides an overview of why the changes are needed. This WebCast specifically focuses on Microsoft Windows 2000. It talks about the registry changes and the time zones that are being updated. This WebCast also tells how to confirm that the updates have been applied, and then provides information about testing and rollback procedure.

Microsoft Product Support and Customer Services

jolumia — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:56:00 GMT

Personal Support

http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance

Select a product to see support options that may include no-charge and paid phone- and Web-based support options.

Small Business Support Center

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/support/technical.mspx

Small Business E-mail, Individual Chat and Phone Support by Product

http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance&ln=en-us

IT Pro, Developers and Partner Support

Microsoft Services Partner Advantage
A comprehensive, flexible, and cost effective program to help partners of all sizes effectively develop, deploy, and support Microsoft solutions.

Microsoft Support for Partners
Get help for you and your customers.

Professional Support
Take advantage of phone- and Web-based options for developers, IT professionals, and partners.

Professional Support Problem Resolution Requests:

Professional Support	Business-hours Support-Call Now for $245 U.S.	Business-critical After-hours Support for $490 U.S.**	OR Submit an Online Request for $99 U.S.	OR Call to Order a 5-Pack Phone Support Contract for $1,225 U.S.
Developers	(800) 936-5800	(800) 936-5800		(800) 936-3500
IT Professionals	(800) 936-4900	(800) 936-4900		(800) 936-3500
Partners (resellers/consultants)	(888) 456-5570	(888) 456-5570		(800) 936-3500
Microsoft Certified Partners	(888) 677-9444	(888) 677-9444		(800) 936-3500
Original Equipment Manufacturers	(800) 936-2197			(800) 936-3500
System Builders	(888) 456-5570			(800) 936-3500

Professional Support Advisory Services

Microsoft Advisory Services is a remotely-delivered, consultative support option that adds the element of proactive support, providing a comprehensive result beyond your break-fix product maintenance needs.

Microsoft Advisory Services provides short-term advice and guidance for problems not covered by Problem Resolution Service as well as requests for consultative assistance for design, development and deployment issues. For specific information about the types of Advisory Services available, visit the Advisory Services Web page.

	Professional Support	Call Now for $210/hr.
	Advisory Services	(800) 936-5200

Enterprise Support

Microsoft Businesses Premier Support
Provides premium-level support and a designated Technical Account Manager to help define custom support options that align strategically with your IT landscape.

Software Assurance
Use problem resolution support and self-help resources for your qualifying Microsoft server products.

Mid-Size Business Support

Microsoft Services Essential Support
Prepackaged support options including phone and online access to a pool of skilled Technical Account Specialists and 24x7 Problem Resolution Support.

Microsoft Dynamics Support
Get the most from your specific Microsoft Business Solutions with multi-tiered support for MBS customers.

Software Assurance
Use problem resolution support and self-help resources for your qualifying Microsoft server products.

Comparison of Premier and Essentials Support

Premier Support is designed to provide customizable, personalized support services for your organization. This is a typical choice for large businesses.

Essential Support helps cover your foundational support requirements with a prepackaged offering. This is a typical choice for midsize businesses.

Key Benefits

· Proactive Services

· Support and workshops

· Problem Resolution Support

· 24x7 coverage

· Critical situation escalation

· Rapid onsite support

· Knowledge Transfer

· Proactive information distribution

· Microsoft Premier Online

· TechNet with Online Concierge

· Direct Relationship

· Designated account representative

· Remote or onsite

Which support option is right for you? See a comparison chart of options.

Self Help Support

TechNet Support
Tap into online support geared to the needs of IT pros.

MSDN Support
Get online support designed specifically for developers using Microsoft technology.

Technical Communities

May provide blogs, technical chats, webcasts, user groups, forums, and newsgroups to help you solve your problem.

Product Lifecycle Support

Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle policy provides consistent and predictable guidelines for product support availability at the time of product release.

Product Activation Support

Support is available through the Worldwide Activation Call Centers

Microsoft Customer Services

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csshome

Online Services and Programs

•	MSN Internet Access

•	Subscribe to Hotmail

•	Subscribe to Microsoft Newsletters

•

More...

Product Information and Purchasing

•	Purchase Products Online

•	Contact the Microsoft Rebate Center

•	Description of Product Activation

•	Frequently Asked Questions about Product Activation

•	Software or Hardware Replacements

•

More…

Education and Certification

•	Become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

•	Online Training (Support WebCasts)

•	Find a Course

•	Training and Certification

•	Register for an Event in the U.S.

•