Tag: windows

Sconfig for Windows

Sconfig is a great program on Windows Server 2016 and newer for administration of a server. It is not the only way to administer items like the network, updates, and domain but it is the easiest in command line. I recommend using sconfig when setting up a new Windows server and especially a Windows Core server.

After typing “sconfig” in a windows command line or PowerShell console this is your main screen.

The first option is used to change the domain or workgroup.

The second option allows you to change the computer name.

The third option is for adding local administrators.

The fourth option is for configuring remote management.

Option five lets you change windows update settings.

The sixth option lets you start to download and install Windows updates.

The seventh option is for setting remote desktop.

The eighth option is for changing network settings.

The ninth option brings up the window for date and time. The tenth option is for telemetry settings, do you want to send data to Microsoft?

The eleventh setting is for Windows activation.

The last four options are self explanatory for maintaining the server. I found this useful for managing Windows servers. The next time you spin up a new Windows server use “sconfig” and save some time.

Here is Microsoft’s article on ‘sconfig’: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/sconfig-on-ws2016

Check out my last blog relating to PowerShell here.

Create PowerShell TicTacToe Game

Boredom induces the need to keep my mind busy. Imagine being stuck in a place with access to only a basic windows 10 workstation and heavily content filtered internet. Luckily, PowerShell is still enabled on the workstation. So you decide to spend your time creating a PowerShell TicTacToe game to pass the time.

Caveats and Warnings

This PowerShell TicTacToe game took me total 6 hours to research (Google search all the code formats) and put together. Warning, I tested it sparingly and I missed following basic coding best practices.

Looking back at my work there are areas of code that need to be shortened and more comments. Secondly, I prefer to consolidate code with numerous method calls instead of repeating code lines. However, for a small project that occupied my thoughts and passed the time, to small project was enjoyable.

PowerShell TicTacToe game source code

<# Tic Tac Toe Game
Created by powersjo. 
#>

Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms
[System.Windows.Forms.Application]::EnableVisualStyles()

$Path = "$Home\Documents"
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe)){
    New-Item -Name TicTacToe -Path $Path -ItemType Directory    
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board)){
    New-Item -Name Board -Path $Path\TicTacToe -ItemType Directory    
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\1.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 1.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\2.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 2.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\3.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 3.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\4.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 4.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\5.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 5.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\6.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 6.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\7.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 7.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\8.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 8.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\Board\9.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe\Board -ItemType file -Name 9.txt
}
if(!(Test-Path -Path $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt)){
    New-Item $Path\TicTacToe -ItemType file -Name player.txt
}

Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt '1'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\1.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\2.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\3.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\4.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\5.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\6.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\7.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\8.txt '0'
Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\9.txt '0'

$Form                            = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Form
$Form.ClientSize                 = '380,290'
$Form.text                       = "Form"
$Form.TopMost                    = $false

$Button1                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button1.text                    = ""
$Button1.width                   = 30
$Button1.height                  = 30
$Button1.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(115,64)
$Button1.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button2                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button2.text                    = ""
$Button2.width                   = 30
$Button2.height                  = 30
$Button2.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(187,64)
$Button2.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button3                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button3.text                    = ""
$Button3.width                   = 30
$Button3.height                  = 30
$Button3.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(260,64)
$Button3.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button4                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button4.text                    = ""
$Button4.width                   = 30
$Button4.height                  = 30
$Button4.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(115,111)
$Button4.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button5                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button5.text                    = ""
$Button5.width                   = 30
$Button5.height                  = 30
$Button5.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(187,111)
$Button5.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button6                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button6.text                    = ""
$Button6.width                   = 30
$Button6.height                  = 30
$Button6.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(260,111)
$Button6.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button7                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button7.text                    = ""
$Button7.width                   = 30
$Button7.height                  = 30
$Button7.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(260,157)
$Button7.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button8                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button8.text                    = ""
$Button8.width                   = 30
$Button8.height                  = 30
$Button8.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(187,157)
$Button8.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button9                         = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button9.text                    = ""
$Button9.width                   = 30
$Button9.height                  = 30
$Button9.location                = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(115,157)
$Button9.Font                    = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Button10                        = New-Object system.Windows.Forms.Button
$Button10.text                   = "reset"
$Button10.width                  = 60
$Button10.height                 = 30
$Button10.location               = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(186,207)
$Button10.Font                   = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Label1                        = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.Label
$Label1.text                   = "Turn: Player 1"
$Label1.width                  = 60
$Label1.height                 = 30
$Label1.location               = New-Object System.Drawing.Point(10,10)
$Label1.Font                   = 'Microsoft Sans Serif,10'

$Form.controls.AddRange(@($Button1,$Button2,$Button3,$Button4,$Button5,$Button6,$Button7,$Button8,$Button9,$Button10,$Label1))

$Button10.Add_Click({
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt '1'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\1.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\2.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\3.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\4.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\5.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\6.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\7.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\8.txt '0'
    Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\9.txt '0'
    $Button1.Text = ""
    $Button2.Text = ""
    $Button3.Text = ""
    $Button4.Text = ""
    $Button5.Text = ""
    $Button6.Text = ""
    $Button7.Text = ""
    $Button8.Text = ""
    $Button9.Text = ""
    $Label1.Text = "Turn: Player 1"
})

function Cycle-Player{
    $tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
    if($tempPlayer -eq 1){
        Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt '2'
        $Label1.Text = "Turn: Player 2"
    }
    else{
        Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt '1'
        $Label1.Text = "Turn: Player 1"
    }
}

$Button1.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\1.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        if($tempPlayer -eq 1){
            $Button1.Text = "X"
            Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\1.txt '1'
        }
        ElseIf($tempPlayer -eq 2){
            $Button1.Text = "O"
            Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\1.txt '2'
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button2.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\2.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button2.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\2.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button2.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\2.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button3.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\3.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button3.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\3.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button3.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\3.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button4.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\4.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button4.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\4.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button4.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\4.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button5.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\5.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button5.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\5.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button5.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\5.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button6.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\6.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button6.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\6.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button6.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\6.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button7.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\7.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button7.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\7.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button7.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\7.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button8.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\8.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button8.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\8.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button8.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\8.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Button9.Add_Click({
$tempPlayer = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\player.txt 
$tempSpot = Get-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\9.txt
    if($tempSpot -eq 0){
        switch ($tempPlayer){
            1{
                $Button9.Text = "X"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\9.txt '1'
            }
            2{
                $Button9.Text = "O"
                Set-Content $Path\TicTacToe\Board\9.txt '2'
            }
        }
        Cycle-Player
    }
})

$Form.ShowDialog()

In conclusion, the end product is very bare bones. The featured image above gives a screenshot of the finished product. Additionally, feel free to copy and use or improve or disregard the code. Finally, just consider the work an open source contribution to the internet. Thanks for reading.

If you want to check out my previous blog post on code / scripting click here.

If you want to read a different topic try any of my book reviews.

Most of the help I found online was located here at StackOverflow.

I have a new Tic Tac Toe app. You can download the game from the Google Play store here or from the Amazon app store here.

Veeam Backup Service wont Start

Have you ever installed a new Veeam Backup server but then Veeam won’t start? 

I ran into this issue recently can got the error ‘The Veeam Backup Service service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other services or programs.’ However, this does not make sense because the main Veeam backup service needs to run. The first thing I thought to check was the event logs.  I found this:

veeam event viewer error

Veeam wont start and it seemed to be a database issue. However this was a brand new Veeam server and was using a fresh SQL instance. I re-traced the steps I took to configure the server and the last thing I did was add the server to the domain and rebooted. 

After some web searches I found and option to check the registry. Apparently sometimes Veeam doesn’t update if you install Veeam before you add the server to the domain. 

regedit search

First go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Veeam > Veeam Backup and Replication and verify that SqlServerName is correct and not some random windows generated name.

regedit sql server name

Second go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Veeam > Veeam Backup Catalog and verify the CatalogSharedFolderPath is correct. 

regedit veeam catalogsharedfolderpath

After that the service should start up like normal. Now the event log about the database issue makes sense because of the registry setting for the SQL server name. I hope this saved you some trouble in case Veeam wont start. 

Check out my Veeam Engineer Study guide here.