SunnyB

Assure that the dns servers are still assigned (network connection / internet protocol / DNS servers. Make sure that port 53 has not been blocked either in the firewall, TCP/IP filtering or via IPSEC. Check under Group Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Template / Network / DNS Client, for valid DNS servers.

You will never convince the Microsoft believers that all they have been told by Microsoft is not necessarily true or good or in their best interest. They have grown up with Microsoft and hold their knowledge base as a bible or banner outlining the proper way to live. Their belief that a company as large as Microsoft can't possibly be wrong puts them in the same category as the ENRON ahareholders that were shafted hard. If they want to use NTFS, or leave every service running or upgrade to Vista just because Microsoft says that's the PROPER way, then let them follow along like good little sheeple. The truth will surface soon enough and they will either learn by their mistakes or continue into oblivion.

Actually, I do think MS is out for nothing but profit and control, disregarding the end-user in all but the most notable cases. Microsoft advertises Windows as if it were the end-all, do-all of computing software when in reality it is only a glorified DOS who's primary utility is to offer an underlying system for running real software and I'm not just talking about multimedia programs. The alternative I chose is to use the OS I need and change or modify it to act the way I want it to act. Like disabling unused or unnecessary options or services that are annoying, cumbersome, security risks or resource heavy. 1. Most services that are set to manual will be started by other MS services even if they are not needed or wanted. QOS RSVP is one example. 2. The average user doesn't even know about the Error Reporting Service much less know how to restrict it's scope. 3. Average users don't have multiple computers or have any need to use a VPN connection which negates the need for Remote Access. 4. Netbios has always been a security risk. The people who complain about that one are the average Joe computer user that has no idea that it can be disabled. I'll bet big dollars that 75% of all computer users have no idea that they have multiple ports opened and listening on the internet, just waiting to be exploited. Ports 25, 123, 135, 445, 500, 137, 139, 1389 plus countless others. Most of these listening ports can be closed by disabling their respective services. Even if it saves no resources it serves to close unnecessary, exploitable ports on the internet. That in itself is reason enough to disable them.

Now, what do you think your customers do? They won't know to go in and configure their service back. More likely than not, they will either call you and complain since it was you/your shop who "fixed" their computer. Since it would be your shop causing the problem, do you think they'd return to your shop in the future if you broke their computer by tweaking it? No, they won't be back; and believe me, they'll tell their friends too. As much as you may think you're helping them, you're actually hindering them and their computer experience. While they may think it's a problem with the OS, it was actually the one who disabled the services which should be left alone. None of this is flaming dude, it's common sense and the truth. It's only the truth from the standpoint of a MS fanboy. All that stuff you're spouting is rubbish. Common sense says that more services uses more resources. Anything other than that is either a lie or plain foolish. Hindering their computer experience is accomplished by allowing you or MS to decide which needless services run continually in the background. The operating system is not the reason for the computer but a tool to host the real reason for the computer. The supported software and/or hardware. Clipbook > A security risk to have your clipboard shown to whomever. Computer Browser > totally unnecessary even in a network Distributed Link Tracking Service > Without a domain it's useless. Error Reporting Service > Great if you want YOUR computer reporting everything to MS Indexing Service > A resource hog that does nothing to speed access to anything Internet Connection Firewall > A worthless POS. Zonealarm Free is 10x better. Messenger Service > Go ahead and tell everyone that this one is good?? Net Logon > Most average users do not need this service. NT LM Security Support > Using telnet great, otherwise a waste. Performance Logs / Alerts > What average user even knows what this does, or cares. QOS RSVP > Average users don't use QOS but Windows Mgmt starts it anyway. Turn it off. Remote Access etc, etc > Again the average user won't use this. If you want to, your problem. Server Service > If you don't have a network, File and Print sharing over TCP is a really bad idea. UPNP > Security risk on any computer. SSDP > Only needed for UPNP. TCP/IP Netbios Helper > Netbios over TCP has always been a risk. Everybody except MS says so. Telnet > 90% of MS users don't have a clue what it is or how to use it. Uninteruptable Power Supply > If you don't have one it's useless. Upload Manager > No network, not necessary. Windows Time > Get a F**king watch. Turn this off. Maybe you should stop telling people to do something just because MS said so. Your computer security or "computing experience" is not high on their list. Their profit, IP and desire to control everything you do online is their agenda. I hope this doesn't jeopardize your quarterly MS stock divident.