Category: News
AVD Adding users to Remote Desktop User Group
Hi all,
From my understanding AVD uses port 443 (HTTPS) to connect users to their virtualized environment. However, I have noticed that AVD automatically adds users to the Remote Desktop Users Group, which is meant originally for port 3389 (RDP). I spoke with a Microsoft Support Specialist regarding this and it was mentioned this was used as a break-glass method in case users cannot connect through 443. My question is then, is it necessary to have users added to the Remote Desktop Users Group? And is there any way we could stop the automation in adding users to that group?
Best Regards
Xerxes
Hi all, From my understanding AVD uses port 443 (HTTPS) to connect users to their virtualized environment. However, I have noticed that AVD automatically adds users to the Remote Desktop Users Group, which is meant originally for port 3389 (RDP). I spoke with a Microsoft Support Specialist regarding this and it was mentioned this was used as a break-glass method in case users cannot connect through 443. My question is then, is it necessary to have users added to the Remote Desktop Users Group? And is there any way we could stop the automation in adding users to that group? Best RegardsXerxes Read More
Standardization on the lowest sku for App Service Plan
Hi,
Do you know if it’s possible to standardize on the lowest SKU of an App Service Plan Premium V3 (P0v3) and then purchase reservations? Would these reservations be usable on P2v3 and P3v3, provided that the VM type is the same within all the SKUs?
Hi, Do you know if it’s possible to standardize on the lowest SKU of an App Service Plan Premium V3 (P0v3) and then purchase reservations? Would these reservations be usable on P2v3 and P3v3, provided that the VM type is the same within all the SKUs? Read More
Cannot activate Windows 11, anyone please help me out?
I cannot activate Windows 11 with my product key purchase online, anyone please help me out?
I cannot activate Windows 11 with my product key purchase online, anyone please help me out? Read More
How to fix QuickBooks Desktop multi user mode not working after window update?
Troubleshooting Solutions : QuickBooks Desktop multi user mode not working
Check Network Connectivity: Verify that all computers are connected to the same network. Ensure stable internet connectivity and that the network isn’t overloaded or experiencing interruptions.
Update QuickBooks: Ensure that all installations of QuickBooks Desktop are updated to the latest version. Updates often include patches and fixes for known issues, including those related to multi-user mode.
Restart QuickBooks and Computers: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues. Close QuickBooks on all computers, shut them down, then restart both the computers and QuickBooks.
Check Hosting Settings: Ensure that only the server or host computer is set to host multi-user access. Other computers accessing the company file should have hosting mode turned off. To check this, go to File > Utilities > Host Multi-User Access.
Verify File Permissions: Confirm that all users have the appropriate permissions to access and modify the company file. Check both the file permissions within QuickBooks and the permissions set by the operating system.
Use QuickBooks Database Server Manager: Run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the server or host computer. This tool helps manage multi-user access to the company file and can identify and resolve connectivity issues.
Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Check the firewall and antivirus settings on all computers. Ensure that QuickBooks and its related processes are allowed through the firewall and are not being blocked by antivirus software.
Exclude QuickBooks Folders from Antivirus Scans: Add QuickBooks installation folders and the company file location to the exclusion list of your antivirus software. This prevents the antivirus from interfering with QuickBooks operations.
Repair QuickBooks Installation: If none of the above solutions work, try repairing the QuickBooks installation on all computers. This can help resolve any corrupted files or settings causing the multi-user mode issue.
Contact QuickBooks Support: If the issue persists after trying the above steps, it may be necessary to contact QuickBooks support for further assistance. They can provide advanced troubleshooting steps or escalate the issue if needed.
Remember to back up your company file before making any significant changes or repairs to ensure you don’t lose any important data. By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the QuickBooks Desktop multi user mode not working and restore smooth functionality for all users.
Troubleshooting Solutions : QuickBooks Desktop multi user mode not working Check Network Connectivity: Verify that all computers are connected to the same network. Ensure stable internet connectivity and that the network isn’t overloaded or experiencing interruptions.Update QuickBooks: Ensure that all installations of QuickBooks Desktop are updated to the latest version. Updates often include patches and fixes for known issues, including those related to multi-user mode.Restart QuickBooks and Computers: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues. Close QuickBooks on all computers, shut them down, then restart both the computers and QuickBooks.Check Hosting Settings: Ensure that only the server or host computer is set to host multi-user access. Other computers accessing the company file should have hosting mode turned off. To check this, go to File > Utilities > Host Multi-User Access.Verify File Permissions: Confirm that all users have the appropriate permissions to access and modify the company file. Check both the file permissions within QuickBooks and the permissions set by the operating system.Use QuickBooks Database Server Manager: Run the QuickBooks Database Server Manager on the server or host computer. This tool helps manage multi-user access to the company file and can identify and resolve connectivity issues.Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Check the firewall and antivirus settings on all computers. Ensure that QuickBooks and its related processes are allowed through the firewall and are not being blocked by antivirus software.Exclude QuickBooks Folders from Antivirus Scans: Add QuickBooks installation folders and the company file location to the exclusion list of your antivirus software. This prevents the antivirus from interfering with QuickBooks operations.Repair QuickBooks Installation: If none of the above solutions work, try repairing the QuickBooks installation on all computers. This can help resolve any corrupted files or settings causing the multi-user mode issue.Contact QuickBooks Support: If the issue persists after trying the above steps, it may be necessary to contact QuickBooks support for further assistance. They can provide advanced troubleshooting steps or escalate the issue if needed. Remember to back up your company file before making any significant changes or repairs to ensure you don’t lose any important data. By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the QuickBooks Desktop multi user mode not working and restore smooth functionality for all users. Read More
EOL,EOS and EEOS DATE’S
Hii all
Can somebody share me the EOL,EOS,EEOS dates for the sysinternals products
Hii all Can somebody share me the EOL,EOS,EEOS dates for the sysinternals products Read More
How do I convert MBR to GPT without losing data?
I’m currently facing an issue where I need to convert a disk from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) without losing any data stored on it. The disk in question contains important data that I cannot afford to lose or corrupt during the conversion process. I’m looking for the safest and most effective method to do this. Can anyone recommend reliable tools or provide a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth conversion?
I’m currently facing an issue where I need to convert a disk from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) without losing any data stored on it. The disk in question contains important data that I cannot afford to lose or corrupt during the conversion process. I’m looking for the safest and most effective method to do this. Can anyone recommend reliable tools or provide a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth conversion? Read More
How to Resolve QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069?
Troubleshooting Solutions: QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069
QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069 typically occurs when there is an issue with accessing or modifying company files. Here are some troubleshooting solutions to resolve this error efficiently:
Update QuickBooks Desktop: Ensure you are using the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop. Updates often include bug fixes and patches that can address error codes like 6069. Go to the “Help” menu and select “Update QuickBooks Desktop” to install any available updates.Restart QuickBooks and Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches. Close QuickBooks Desktop and restart your computer. Then, relaunch QuickBooks and check if the error persists.Run QuickBooks File Doctor: QuickBooks File Doctor is a tool designed to diagnose and repair common QuickBooks issues, including company file errors. Download and run QuickBooks File Doctor from the official Intuit website. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan and fix any detected issues.Check for Data Damage: Data damage within the company file can trigger error code 6069. Use the “Verify Data” and “Rebuild Data” utilities in QuickBooks to identify and repair any data damage. Navigate to the “File” menu, select “Utilities,” and then choose “Verify Data” followed by “Rebuild Data.”Disable Antivirus and Firewall: Sometimes, antivirus or firewall settings can interfere with QuickBooks processes, leading to errors. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall programs and check if the error persists. Remember to re-enable them after troubleshooting.Restore Backup: If the error occurred after making changes to the company file, try restoring a recent backup to revert to a stable state. Go to the “File” menu, select “Utilities,” and then choose “Restore Backup.” Follow the prompts to select the appropriate backup file and restore it.Check File Permissions: Ensure that you have sufficient permissions to access and modify the company file. Navigate to the location where the company file is stored and verify the file permissions. If necessary, adjust the permissions to allow full access.Recreate Company File: As a last resort, recreate the company file if all other troubleshooting steps fail. Create a new company file and re-enter the data from scratch. Be sure to backup the existing company file before proceeding with this step.
By following these troubleshooting solutions, you should be able to resolve QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069 and resume normal operations without any further interruptions. If the error persists despite these efforts, consider reaching out to QuickBooks support for additional assistance.
Troubleshooting Solutions: QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069 typically occurs when there is an issue with accessing or modifying company files. Here are some troubleshooting solutions to resolve this error efficiently:Update QuickBooks Desktop: Ensure you are using the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop. Updates often include bug fixes and patches that can address error codes like 6069. Go to the “Help” menu and select “Update QuickBooks Desktop” to install any available updates.Restart QuickBooks and Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches. Close QuickBooks Desktop and restart your computer. Then, relaunch QuickBooks and check if the error persists.Run QuickBooks File Doctor: QuickBooks File Doctor is a tool designed to diagnose and repair common QuickBooks issues, including company file errors. Download and run QuickBooks File Doctor from the official Intuit website. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan and fix any detected issues.Check for Data Damage: Data damage within the company file can trigger error code 6069. Use the “Verify Data” and “Rebuild Data” utilities in QuickBooks to identify and repair any data damage. Navigate to the “File” menu, select “Utilities,” and then choose “Verify Data” followed by “Rebuild Data.”Disable Antivirus and Firewall: Sometimes, antivirus or firewall settings can interfere with QuickBooks processes, leading to errors. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall programs and check if the error persists. Remember to re-enable them after troubleshooting.Restore Backup: If the error occurred after making changes to the company file, try restoring a recent backup to revert to a stable state. Go to the “File” menu, select “Utilities,” and then choose “Restore Backup.” Follow the prompts to select the appropriate backup file and restore it.Check File Permissions: Ensure that you have sufficient permissions to access and modify the company file. Navigate to the location where the company file is stored and verify the file permissions. If necessary, adjust the permissions to allow full access.Recreate Company File: As a last resort, recreate the company file if all other troubleshooting steps fail. Create a new company file and re-enter the data from scratch. Be sure to backup the existing company file before proceeding with this step.By following these troubleshooting solutions, you should be able to resolve QuickBooks Desktop Error Code 6069 and resume normal operations without any further interruptions. If the error persists despite these efforts, consider reaching out to QuickBooks support for additional assistance. Read More
Buying reservations for App Service Plan
Hi,
I have a question regarding the purchase of reservations for the App Service Plan. Does it work similarly to VMs? Meaning, if I have a premium V3 App Service Plan that can scale the number of VMs up and down, but I know that the average number of VMs on that specific App Service Plan is 2-3. Do I then purchase 2-3 reservations of premium V3, or does one reservation cover all instances?
Hi, I have a question regarding the purchase of reservations for the App Service Plan. Does it work similarly to VMs? Meaning, if I have a premium V3 App Service Plan that can scale the number of VMs up and down, but I know that the average number of VMs on that specific App Service Plan is 2-3. Do I then purchase 2-3 reservations of premium V3, or does one reservation cover all instances? Read More
Sharepoint number input is stored differently based on logged user
Hello, all!
I have a SharePoint list shared with some users.
We use the list to store decimal numbers.
In my country, the comma is used as the decimal separator.
To add and edit data to the Sharepoint list, we use a custom Powerapps list form, not the default Sharepoint list form.
All users have the same locale region set to (portuguese Brazil).
The decimal separator is set as comma for all users in Windows Control Panel.
The profile setting in Delve is the same for all users (portuguese Brazil).
The Sharepoint site region configuration is set to (portuguese Brazil).
There is no custom json column formatting code in the list.
The problem is that when some users add numbers to the list, the numbers are stored differently from the expected pattern.
Below, an example of how numbers are stored when I input them (that is how they should always be stored). Decimal numbers with 2 decimal places after comma:
I don’t know why, but when some users insert the same numbers, they are stored as if they don’t have a comma. In the example below, as you can see, numbers around twelve have been stored representing more than one thousand
Initially, I thought it could be just a viewing issue, but a spike could be seen in the chart generated by the list data, because the historical values changed from around twelve to more than one thousand.
For some other users the Sharepoint list stores the numbers properly, but without the comma separating integer from decimal part and it also changes the dates, increasing one day for all of them.
See below the same Sharepoint list viewed in two different machines with the same Windows and user configurations:
Please, if someone can help me…
Thank you!
Hello, all! I have a SharePoint list shared with some users.We use the list to store decimal numbers.In my country, the comma is used as the decimal separator.To add and edit data to the Sharepoint list, we use a custom Powerapps list form, not the default Sharepoint list form. All users have the same locale region set to (portuguese Brazil).The decimal separator is set as comma for all users in Windows Control Panel.The profile setting in Delve is the same for all users (portuguese Brazil).The Sharepoint site region configuration is set to (portuguese Brazil).There is no custom json column formatting code in the list. The problem is that when some users add numbers to the list, the numbers are stored differently from the expected pattern. Below, an example of how numbers are stored when I input them (that is how they should always be stored). Decimal numbers with 2 decimal places after comma: I don’t know why, but when some users insert the same numbers, they are stored as if they don’t have a comma. In the example below, as you can see, numbers around twelve have been stored representing more than one thousand Initially, I thought it could be just a viewing issue, but a spike could be seen in the chart generated by the list data, because the historical values changed from around twelve to more than one thousand. For some other users the Sharepoint list stores the numbers properly, but without the comma separating integer from decimal part and it also changes the dates, increasing one day for all of them.See below the same Sharepoint list viewed in two different machines with the same Windows and user configurations: Please, if someone can help me…Thank you! Read More
Changing the Topic Name in DDS Dictionary have no effect in AutoGenerated XML file
Hello, everyone. I want to create the DDS Application with DDS Blockset.
I have changed the Topic Name in DDS dictionary which was created from default dictionary.
However, when I examine the XML file which was generated automatically, I find that the Topic Names were still ‘Circle’ and ‘Square’.
Could anyone give some advice about how to change the Topic Name effectively?Hello, everyone. I want to create the DDS Application with DDS Blockset.
I have changed the Topic Name in DDS dictionary which was created from default dictionary.
However, when I examine the XML file which was generated automatically, I find that the Topic Names were still ‘Circle’ and ‘Square’.
Could anyone give some advice about how to change the Topic Name effectively? Hello, everyone. I want to create the DDS Application with DDS Blockset.
I have changed the Topic Name in DDS dictionary which was created from default dictionary.
However, when I examine the XML file which was generated automatically, I find that the Topic Names were still ‘Circle’ and ‘Square’.
Could anyone give some advice about how to change the Topic Name effectively? dds blockset, simulink, code generation MATLAB Answers — New Questions
Matlab spawn a lot of InstallMathWork process abnormally and cause system load too high
I’m trying out the example code from https://www.mathworks.com/help/5g/ug/nr-cell-search-and-mib-and-sib1-recovery.html from a remote ubuntu desktop through anydesk. At the same time I tried to edit the code inside vscode via ssh. The system load is not very high at most 2 and only use about one or two cores at the start, even I’m running the examples.
But after I have leave everything running there for quite a long time. There will automatically spawn a lot of InstallMathWork process, and the number of processes is gradually increasing. Eventually, it will have a lot of InstallMathWork process running in the background and eats up all the CPU cores, the system load increase to very high eventually.
I have checked that I’m already updated to the latest version manually and checked there’s no newer versions available. My current matlab version is R2024a Update 2 (24.1.0.2578822) 64 bit (glnxa64) April 9, 2024
Below is the screenshot from top and htop.I’m trying out the example code from https://www.mathworks.com/help/5g/ug/nr-cell-search-and-mib-and-sib1-recovery.html from a remote ubuntu desktop through anydesk. At the same time I tried to edit the code inside vscode via ssh. The system load is not very high at most 2 and only use about one or two cores at the start, even I’m running the examples.
But after I have leave everything running there for quite a long time. There will automatically spawn a lot of InstallMathWork process, and the number of processes is gradually increasing. Eventually, it will have a lot of InstallMathWork process running in the background and eats up all the CPU cores, the system load increase to very high eventually.
I have checked that I’m already updated to the latest version manually and checked there’s no newer versions available. My current matlab version is R2024a Update 2 (24.1.0.2578822) 64 bit (glnxa64) April 9, 2024
Below is the screenshot from top and htop. I’m trying out the example code from https://www.mathworks.com/help/5g/ug/nr-cell-search-and-mib-and-sib1-recovery.html from a remote ubuntu desktop through anydesk. At the same time I tried to edit the code inside vscode via ssh. The system load is not very high at most 2 and only use about one or two cores at the start, even I’m running the examples.
But after I have leave everything running there for quite a long time. There will automatically spawn a lot of InstallMathWork process, and the number of processes is gradually increasing. Eventually, it will have a lot of InstallMathWork process running in the background and eats up all the CPU cores, the system load increase to very high eventually.
I have checked that I’m already updated to the latest version manually and checked there’s no newer versions available. My current matlab version is R2024a Update 2 (24.1.0.2578822) 64 bit (glnxa64) April 9, 2024
Below is the screenshot from top and htop. load too high, installmathwork MATLAB Answers — New Questions
Sharepoint Delta API 429 error due to unknow reasons
Hi All,
We are getting 429 rate-limited responses from Graph API when fetching SharePoint via Delta APIs. The rate limited requests don’t resolve even after waiting for specified time and retrying for 3 times, so such requests fail causing data losses. If we are sending more requests than the allowed rate limit, we will get that reason in headers, but here no such reason is given which suggests that we don’t exceed rate limits and its some other unknown issue.
As mentioned in the document highlighted in the this link; https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/general-development/how-to-avoid-getting-throttled-or-blocked-in-sharepoint-online#ratelimit-headers—preview there could be other reasons that could lead to rate limits.
We make sure that we don’t request the calls that exceed the count mentioned in RateLimit-Limit header. This makes it even harder to identify the exact cause.
Any support related to this is appreciated!!
Hi All, We are getting 429 rate-limited responses from Graph API when fetching SharePoint via Delta APIs. The rate limited requests don’t resolve even after waiting for specified time and retrying for 3 times, so such requests fail causing data losses. If we are sending more requests than the allowed rate limit, we will get that reason in headers, but here no such reason is given which suggests that we don’t exceed rate limits and its some other unknown issue.As mentioned in the document highlighted in the this link; https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/general-development/how-to-avoid-getting-throttled-or-blocked-in-sharepoint-online#ratelimit-headers—preview there could be other reasons that could lead to rate limits. We make sure that we don’t request the calls that exceed the count mentioned in RateLimit-Limit header. This makes it even harder to identify the exact cause. Any support related to this is appreciated!! Read More
Chat window opens on top of meeting window when clicking on Teams icon in dock (MacOS)
When I’m on a Teams video call and I’m working on another app, if I click the Teams icon in the MacOS dock, it brings up the Teams chat window on top of the Teams video call window. So I have to minimise the chat window to see the video window.
This is because there is a separate window for chats as for a video meeting (and yes I have checked my settings and I have selected that new chats and incoming notifications are opened in the main window, not a new separate window)
I can’t even resize the chat window so that even if it’s on top it’s small because of this window resizing bug. That would have been a nice workaround.
When I’m on a Teams video call and I’m working on another app, if I click the Teams icon in the MacOS dock, it brings up the Teams chat window on top of the Teams video call window. So I have to minimise the chat window to see the video window. This is because there is a separate window for chats as for a video meeting (and yes I have checked my settings and I have selected that new chats and incoming notifications are opened in the main window, not a new separate window) I can’t even resize the chat window so that even if it’s on top it’s small because of this window resizing bug. That would have been a nice workaround. Read More
How to remove cached guest account data from teams
Hi.
We have a problem with cached external organization guest account data with some of our users. The problem is that users from an external organization have been using our teams with guest accounts and everything was fine until this external org had to start a new tenant while continuing to use their old domain suffix.
Obviously their old guest accounts stopped working in our tenant after they switched in to their new tenant, but the problem is that even after we have deleted their old guest accounts from our Entra ID some of our users are not able to invite them as new users. The old guest profiles of this external org are cached somewhere in our users teams and when they try to invite users from this external organization again, the teams client (Desktop and Web) just digs up the old guest account info from somewhere and the invitations fail. If some one who has not been working with the users from this external org before are able to invite users from that org.
We have tried to clear the teams cahce (both the classic and the new) but that doesn’t clear those old guest account infos from the users teams. Of course we could invite them from the Teams management portal etc, but there are lots of them and the best solution would be that we get that cached guest account info cleared from the users that are affected by this, becaouse they are the ones who know who to invite and in to which team.
-Tomi Aaltonen
Hi. We have a problem with cached external organization guest account data with some of our users. The problem is that users from an external organization have been using our teams with guest accounts and everything was fine until this external org had to start a new tenant while continuing to use their old domain suffix. Obviously their old guest accounts stopped working in our tenant after they switched in to their new tenant, but the problem is that even after we have deleted their old guest accounts from our Entra ID some of our users are not able to invite them as new users. The old guest profiles of this external org are cached somewhere in our users teams and when they try to invite users from this external organization again, the teams client (Desktop and Web) just digs up the old guest account info from somewhere and the invitations fail. If some one who has not been working with the users from this external org before are able to invite users from that org. We have tried to clear the teams cahce (both the classic and the new) but that doesn’t clear those old guest account infos from the users teams. Of course we could invite them from the Teams management portal etc, but there are lots of them and the best solution would be that we get that cached guest account info cleared from the users that are affected by this, becaouse they are the ones who know who to invite and in to which team. -Tomi Aaltonen Read More
Help with V Look Up
Hi,
I’m an average skilled Excel user and I’ve used v-lookups before but just can’t seem to get this one right, if anyone can help please that would be amazing.
In Worksheet 1, I have a company name (F2). If this company name matches the same company name in Worksheet 2 (E1), I want to populate cell I2 in Worksheet 1 with a website from the same row as the company name in Worksheet2 (which is in C1). Would anyone know the formula I need to use?
Thank you
Hi, I’m an average skilled Excel user and I’ve used v-lookups before but just can’t seem to get this one right, if anyone can help please that would be amazing. In Worksheet 1, I have a company name (F2). If this company name matches the same company name in Worksheet 2 (E1), I want to populate cell I2 in Worksheet 1 with a website from the same row as the company name in Worksheet2 (which is in C1). Would anyone know the formula I need to use? Thank you Read More
Recommend me a best Twitter video downloader for PC
I’m looking for recommendations on the best Twitter video downloader for PC. I often find interesting videos on Twitter that I’d like to save for offline viewing, but I’m not sure which software or tool is the most reliable and efficient for this purpose. Ideally, I need something that can handle downloads quickly, maintains the quality of the videos, and is easy to use. If anyone has experience with a good Twitter video downloader or can suggest tools they’ve had success with, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you!
I’m looking for recommendations on the best Twitter video downloader for PC. I often find interesting videos on Twitter that I’d like to save for offline viewing, but I’m not sure which software or tool is the most reliable and efficient for this purpose. Ideally, I need something that can handle downloads quickly, maintains the quality of the videos, and is easy to use. If anyone has experience with a good Twitter video downloader or can suggest tools they’ve had success with, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you! Read More
Exporting Specific Calendar Entries to a Project
I want to create a workbook that’s an annual overview of various meetings/dates.
The information would ideally be extracted from Outlook automatically but I need certain rules to be applied – e.g. if ‘meeting 1’ moves, then there’s an alert that it will affect ‘meeting 2’ which (for example) needs to happen 2wks prior, and ‘meeting 3’ which needs to happen 1wk post.
I’m thinking that the workbook needs to be treated as a project, but I’m not sure the best way to achieve what I want (or even if it’s possible!)
I’d be extracting from Outlook using names of meetings – e.g. ‘Board Meeting’ – and these would automatically populate into my workbook showing month/date/detail.
Any help on this is very much appreciated!
I want to create a workbook that’s an annual overview of various meetings/dates.The information would ideally be extracted from Outlook automatically but I need certain rules to be applied – e.g. if ‘meeting 1’ moves, then there’s an alert that it will affect ‘meeting 2’ which (for example) needs to happen 2wks prior, and ‘meeting 3’ which needs to happen 1wk post.I’m thinking that the workbook needs to be treated as a project, but I’m not sure the best way to achieve what I want (or even if it’s possible!)I’d be extracting from Outlook using names of meetings – e.g. ‘Board Meeting’ – and these would automatically populate into my workbook showing month/date/detail.Any help on this is very much appreciated! Read More
How to Choose the Right Reserved Instance in Azure
What is a reserved instance and why use it?
A reserved instance is a way to prepay for a certain amount of compute capacity in Azure for a fixed period of time, either one or three years [1]. By doing so, you can save up to 72% compared to the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) price, depending on the type and size of the instance. Reserved instances are ideal for workloads that have predictable and consistent usage patterns, such as production environments, databases, or web servers.
While Reserved Instances offer a cost-effective solution for consistent workloads, it’s important to understand the flexibility and limitations they present. Currently, you can cancel reservations with no penalty fee, subject to a cap of $50,000 per 12-month period. However, there might be an upcoming 12% cancellation fee for canceling reservations [2]. Additionally, virtual machine reservations are not limited to a single product; Instance Size Flexibility allows you to apply your reservation to any virtual machine within the same flexibility group, enhancing adaptability to changing needs [3]. However, this flexibility is exclusive to VM instances.
For non-compute resources like SQL databases, reservations remain exchangeable, providing further versatility. The introduction of Microsoft’s Savings Plan for Compute presents an even more flexible option, allowing for significant savings without the rigidity of traditional Reserved Instances [4].
It’s also crucial to note that while SLAs are not inherently included with Reserved Instances, they don’t typically influence the purchasing decision as customers do not generally expect SLA coverage from them. Instead, the focus is on the cost benefits provided.
Moreover, existing discounts on Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) pricing through a Microsoft Azure consumption Commitment (MACC) need careful consideration, as these may overlap with Reserved Instance discounts, which do not stack [5]. Customers must evaluate their current PAYG discounts against the potential savings from Reserved Instances to make an informed decision. This comprehensive approach ensures that customers can maximize their investment while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to evolving business requirements.
Therefore, before you decide to buy a reserved instance, you need to carefully evaluate if this is the right solution for your needs, and if you can get the most value out of it. In this article, we will guide you through the steps you should take to make an informed decision, and provide you with some tips and best practices along the way.
Step 1: Evaluate if this is the right solution
The initial step involves evaluating whether your workload is appropriate for a reserved instance. This assessment is influenced by various factors, including the product type, usage pattern, scalability needs, and your application’s design.
A prevalent issue that many businesses encounter is that their cloud applications, designed or migrated by external partners, may not be optimized for the cloud environment. For instance, they may have merely rehosted their applications, which entails transferring them from on-premises servers to cloud-based virtual machines (VMs) without altering the code or architecture. This could lead to overprovisioning, underutilization, or subpar performance of the cloud resources.
However, it’s important to note that refactoring, which involves modifying applications to leverage cloud-native features and services, is just one approach to rationalizing your digital estate [6]. The Cloud Adoption Framework mentions five strategies for rationalization, often referred to as the “Five R’s”: Rehost, Refactor, Rearchitect, Rebuild, and Replace [7].
In our example, we focus on refactoring. This could involve using containers, serverless functions, managed databases, or Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings. The result could be reduced costs, improved efficiency, or enhanced scalability of your cloud resources. For instance, instead of using a VM with SQL Server, you might find it beneficial to use Azure SQL Database, a fully managed and scalable relational database service. Or, rather than using a scale-up design (increasing the size of your VMs to handle more load), you might benefit from a scale-out design (adding more VMs to a Virtual Machine Scale Set (VMSS), a group of identical VMs that can automatically scale up or down based on demand).
Ultimately, it’s crucial to ensure that you choose the right product and configuration for your needs over the next one to three years, and that you’re not paying for more than what you need. This involves collaborating with your partner or internal solution architects to review your application design and identify any opportunities for optimization or modernization. You should also consider your application’s future plans and roadmap, and how they might impact your cloud resource needs. Remember, refactoring is just one way to do it, and the best approach depends on your specific circumstances and requirements.
Step 2: Monitor and right size
The second step is to monitor and right size your cloud resources, based on their actual usage and performance. This will help you avoid wasting money on unused or underused capacity and ensure that you are getting the optimal level of service for your workload.
To do this, you can use Azure Advisor, which is a free tool that provides personalized recommendations for improving your cloud resource utilization, security, reliability, and performance [8]. Azure Advisor analyzes your resource configuration and usage data, and suggests actions that you can take to optimize your cloud resources. For example, it can help you identify VMs that are running consistently low on CPU or memory, and recommend resizing or shutting them down. It can also help you identify VMs that are not using the latest generation of hardware and recommend upgrading them to benefit from better performance and lower costs [9].
However, it’s important to note that Azure Advisor does not analyze every resource type for right-size recommendations. It is focused mostly on VMs/VMSS. For the products Azure Advisor does not provide right-size recommendations, customers should look at the Azure Monitor metrics for those resources and assess whether they are being used in an optimal manner. Additionally, Azure Advisor also provides reservation recommendations, which can help you determine what Azure reservation you should purchase.
You should also monitor your usage patterns, and see if they vary over time [10]. For example, is your workload running 24/7, or does it have peak and off-peak hours, days, or seasons? If your workload is not running continuously, you may benefit from using Azure DevTest Labs, which is a service that allows you to create and manage development and test environments in the cloud and automate policies and schedules for starting and stopping your VMs [11]. This way, you can save money by only paying for the VMs when they are in use, and avoid paying for them when they are idle. However, this option is not suitable for customer-facing or business-critical applications, which need to be always available and responsive.
Step 3: Check if you can actually reserve the product
The third step is to check if you can actually purchase a reserved instance for the product and configuration that you want. Not all Azure products and services are eligible for reserved instances, especially those that are in preview or have dynamic pricing. You can review the Azure pricing page or the Azure pricing calculator to see if the product you want is available for reservation, and what are the options and prices for different terms, regions, and sizes [12].
You should also check if you have any internal policies or restrictions that may limit your ability to deploy and purchase a reserved instance [13]. For example, some enterprises may have a list of allowed SKUs, which are the specific identifiers of the products and configurations that they can use in the cloud. If your desired product or configuration is not on the list, you may need to request an exemption or an update to the policy, before you can proceed with the reservation. Otherwise, you may encounter errors or delays when trying to deploy or purchase the reserved instance.
It’s important to note that Azure Advisor provides reservation recommendations, which can help you determine what Azure reservation you should purchase. Additionally, you can refer to the official documentation for a list of products available for reservation purchase and the eligible Azure offers.
When evaluating the potential savings from purchasing a reservation, carefully consider any existing discounts on Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) pricing through a Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC). MACC discounts apply to PAYG prices, while discounts provided by Reserved Instances (RI) are usually fixed. Customers must evaluate their current PAYG discounts against the potential savings from Reserved Instances to make an informed decision. This approach ensures that customers can maximize their investment while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to evolving business requirements. However, this only applies to large enterprises with big commitments. Many SMEs might benefit in most cases from the RI discount provided for a 1-year term. Customers can choose to pay monthly or upfront, it’s up to them. There is no additional discount for paying upfront.
Step 4: Calculate the break-even point
The fourth step is to calculate the break-even point, which is the point in time when the reserved instance pays for itself, compared to the PAYG price. This will help you understand how long you need to use the reserved instance to get the full value of your investment, and if it makes sense for your workload and budget.
To calculate the break-even point, you can use the following formula:
Break-even in months = Reserved instance price / PAYG price
For example, suppose you want to buy a reserved instance for a D2s v3 VM in the East US region, which has 2 vCPUs and 8 GB of memory. The PAYG price for this VM is $0.096 per hour, or $70.08 per month. The reserved instance price for a one-year term is $470.88, or $39.24 per month. Using the formula, we get:
Break-even in months = $470.88 / $70.08 = 6.72
This means that you need to use the reserved instance for at least 6.72 months, or about 7 months, to break even with the PAYG price. If you use it for longer than that, you will start saving money. If you use it for shorter than that, you will lose money.
Step 5: Evaluate your backup and failover strategy
The fifth and final step is to evaluate your backup and failover strategy, and make sure that you have the appropriate level of protection and resilience for your workload. This includes having backups in place for your running instances, in case of data loss or corruption, and having a disaster recovery plan in place, in case of a regional outage or a service disruption.
For backups, you can use Azure Backup, which is a service that allows you to create and manage backup policies and schedules for your VMs, and restore them to a previous point in time, if needed [14]. You can also use Azure Site Recovery, which is a service that allows you to replicate your VMs to another region or availability zone, and fail over to them in the event of a disaster [15]. You can also use Azure Site Recovery to test your failover scenarios, and verify that your workload can run smoothly in the secondary location.
For disaster recovery, you should consider the availability and reliability requirements of your workload, and choose the appropriate design and configuration for your VMs. For example, if your workload is business-critical, you may need to have an active-active configuration, which means that you have two or more instances of your workload running in different regions or availability zones, and load balancing the traffic between them. This way, you can ensure that your workload is always available and responsive, even if one of the locations fails. However, this also means that you need to purchase reserved instances for both locations, and synchronize the data and the configuration between them.
Alternatively, you may have an active-passive configuration, which means that you have one instance of your workload running in the primary location, and another instance in the secondary location, but only the primary one is receiving the traffic. This way, you can save money by only paying for the reserved instance in the primary location, and using the PAYG price for the secondary one. However, this also means that you need to have a mechanism to switch the traffic to the secondary location, in case of a failure, and that you may experience some downtime or performance degradation during the failover process.
It is important to note that depending on your reliability and security requirements, you may need to purchase additional reservations. It is possible to buy Reservations for Azure Backup to optimize costs for Azure Backup Storage with reserved capacity. Another perspective to consider is the need to ensure capacity is available on the secondary location when failing over. A good segue way to refer to On-Demand Capacity Reservations and the need to buy RIs to make Capacity reservations cheaper [16]. For more information, please refer to the official documentation where these options are better described.
The bottom line is that you need to balance the trade-offs between cost, availability, and performance, and choose the best option for your workload and your business objectives. You should also review the Azure SLAs for the products and services that you use, and understand the guarantees and the limitations that they provide. You should also consider purchasing additional SLAs for availability, performance, or support, if you need a higher level of service or assurance.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the steps that you should take before purchasing a reserved instance in Azure, and the factors that you should consider to make the best decision for your workload and your budget. We have also provided you with some tips and best practices to optimize your cloud resource utilization, security, reliability, and performance. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative, and that you have learned something new and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. Thank you for reading, and happy cloud computing!
References
[1] Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances | Microsoft Azure
[4] What is Azure savings plans for compute? – Microsoft Cost Management | Microsoft Learn
[6] Rationalize the digital estate – Cloud Adoption Framework | Microsoft Learn
[7] Cloud rationalization – Cloud Adoption Framework | Microsoft Learn
[8] Introduction to Azure Advisor – Azure Advisor | Microsoft Learn
[9] Reduce service costs using Azure Advisor – Azure Advisor | Microsoft Learn
[10] Azure Monitor overview – Azure Monitor | Microsoft Learn
[11] What is Azure DevTest Labs? – Azure DevTest Labs | Microsoft Learn
[12] Pricing – Windows Virtual Machines | Microsoft Azure
[13] Azure Policy definitions deny effect – Azure Policy | Microsoft Learn
[14] What is Azure Backup? – Azure Backup | Microsoft Learn
[15] About Azure Site Recovery – Azure Site Recovery | Microsoft Learn
[16] On-demand Capacity Reservation in Azure – Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Learn
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I have deployed a Progressive Web App (PWA) for my website priceupdate.com.pk. Now I want to convert it into a Windows Store App and launch the same on Windows Store / Marketplace Store through pwabuilder.com. However, I am not able to get the partner id from Windows Developer Console. Where I can find the same?
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Why Is My QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File After Window Update
Troubleshooting Solutions: QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File
QuickBooks is an essential tool for managing finances, but encountering QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File after updating can be exasperating. Here are some troubleshooting solutions to help you resolve this issue and resume your workflow smoothly:
1. Verify System Requirements: Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for running QuickBooks. Check compatibility with your operating system, processor, RAM, and disk space. QuickBooks might crash if your system doesn’t meet these requirements.
2. Install Latest Updates: Sometimes, QuickBooks crashes due to bugs or compatibility issues in the current version. Check for the latest updates from Intuit and install them. These updates often contain fixes for known issues, including those related to crashes.
3. Reboot Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve software glitches. Close all applications, restart your computer, and then try opening QuickBooks again. This basic troubleshooting step can clear temporary files and reset system processes, potentially resolving the crashing issue.
4. Run QuickBooks Repair Tool: QuickBooks comes with a built-in diagnostic tool called QuickBooks File Doctor. Run this tool to scan and repair any issues with your QuickBooks company file. It can fix common problems that lead to crashes, such as data corruption or file damage.
5. Disable Antivirus or Firewall: Sometimes, antivirus software or firewall settings can interfere with QuickBooks operations, leading to crashes. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall and try opening QuickBooks again. If it works without crashing, you may need to adjust the settings of your security software.
6. Check for File Corruption: Corrupted company files can cause QuickBooks to crash. Use the Verify Data tool within QuickBooks to check for file integrity issues. If any problems are detected, follow the prompts to resolve them. You may need to restore a backup copy of your company file if the corruption is severe.
7. Update QuickBooks Database Server Manager: If you’re using QuickBooks in a multi-user environment, ensure that QuickBooks Database Server Manager is updated to the latest version on the server computer. Incompatibility between the server manager and QuickBooks versions can lead to crashes when accessing company files.
8. Reinstall QuickBooks: As a last resort, consider reinstalling QuickBooks to repair any corrupted installation files or configuration settings. Uninstall QuickBooks from your system, download the latest version from the official Intuit website, and reinstall it. Make sure to back up your company files before reinstalling.
9. Contact QuickBooks Support: If you’ve tried all the above solutions and QuickBooks still crashes when opening company files, it’s time to seek assistance from QuickBooks support. Intuit offers various support options, including live chat, phone support, and community forums. They can provide personalized troubleshooting guidance based on your specific issue.
By following these troubleshooting solutions, you should be able to resolve the QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File issue and regain control over your finances. Remember to regularly back up your company files to prevent data loss in case of future issues.
Troubleshooting Solutions: QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File QuickBooks is an essential tool for managing finances, but encountering QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File after updating can be exasperating. Here are some troubleshooting solutions to help you resolve this issue and resume your workflow smoothly: 1. Verify System Requirements: Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for running QuickBooks. Check compatibility with your operating system, processor, RAM, and disk space. QuickBooks might crash if your system doesn’t meet these requirements.2. Install Latest Updates: Sometimes, QuickBooks crashes due to bugs or compatibility issues in the current version. Check for the latest updates from Intuit and install them. These updates often contain fixes for known issues, including those related to crashes.3. Reboot Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve software glitches. Close all applications, restart your computer, and then try opening QuickBooks again. This basic troubleshooting step can clear temporary files and reset system processes, potentially resolving the crashing issue.4. Run QuickBooks Repair Tool: QuickBooks comes with a built-in diagnostic tool called QuickBooks File Doctor. Run this tool to scan and repair any issues with your QuickBooks company file. It can fix common problems that lead to crashes, such as data corruption or file damage.5. Disable Antivirus or Firewall: Sometimes, antivirus software or firewall settings can interfere with QuickBooks operations, leading to crashes. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall and try opening QuickBooks again. If it works without crashing, you may need to adjust the settings of your security software.6. Check for File Corruption: Corrupted company files can cause QuickBooks to crash. Use the Verify Data tool within QuickBooks to check for file integrity issues. If any problems are detected, follow the prompts to resolve them. You may need to restore a backup copy of your company file if the corruption is severe.7. Update QuickBooks Database Server Manager: If you’re using QuickBooks in a multi-user environment, ensure that QuickBooks Database Server Manager is updated to the latest version on the server computer. Incompatibility between the server manager and QuickBooks versions can lead to crashes when accessing company files.8. Reinstall QuickBooks: As a last resort, consider reinstalling QuickBooks to repair any corrupted installation files or configuration settings. Uninstall QuickBooks from your system, download the latest version from the official Intuit website, and reinstall it. Make sure to back up your company files before reinstalling.9. Contact QuickBooks Support: If you’ve tried all the above solutions and QuickBooks still crashes when opening company files, it’s time to seek assistance from QuickBooks support. Intuit offers various support options, including live chat, phone support, and community forums. They can provide personalized troubleshooting guidance based on your specific issue.By following these troubleshooting solutions, you should be able to resolve the QuickBooks Crashes When Opening Company File issue and regain control over your finances. Remember to regularly back up your company files to prevent data loss in case of future issues. Read More