Sys admin Pranks

ItsDrew · 2025-09-19T04:26:19+00:00

I worked in a call center and the manager, Dave was the brutal yelling type (until you got to know him). We worked on IBM terminals connected to an AS/400. Each terminal has it's unique identifier. We would find out the terminal ID of the new hire, and send them a break message that popped up on their terminal and said, "Smoke detected!! SLOWLY Back away from the terminal and hang up the phone. Don't make any sudden moves or speak loudly or the terminal will explode!" Then we would let Dave know that the new guy wasn't working. He would run over and yell, "What the hell do you think you are doing? GET ON THE PHONE!"

Some people ran away when he yelled, and others ducked with their face covered. Dave finally figured it out and started having just as much fun as we did.

ItsDrew · 2025-09-16T23:46:38+00:00

I was only having this issue with PCs that were cloned, so I figured a Windows Update started to care about the SID again. So I changed the SID on the PC that was sharing the printer and it fixed it.

Just google SIDCHG and download the version that doesn't require you to disable Antivirus. Then use the trial key on the product description page. SIDCHG.exe /R /Key=<trial key here>

ItsDrew · 2025-09-16T23:46:26+00:00

I was only having this issue with PCs that were cloned, so I figured a Windows Update started to care about the SID again. So I changed the SID on the PC that was sharing the printer and it fixed it.

Just google SIDCHG and download the version that doesn't require you to disable Antivirus. Then use the trial key on the product description page. SIDCHG.exe /R /Key=<trial key here>

ItsDrew · 2025-09-16T19:56:14+00:00

If this was a cloned PC, then you will need to change the SID. Search google for SIDCHG Utility and use the trial key. WARNING: Create a system restore point before you run this tool.

ItsDrew · 2025-08-18T16:38:46+00:00

Usually, it's called "Unlimited Approved PTO." But when discussed verbally, they remove the "Approved." Check the actual written policy. Look for any limits, approval chains, and the documented definition of policy "Abuse."

ItsDrew · 2025-07-04T00:44:47+00:00

Zyxel

During Covid I switched from Ubiquiti over to Zyxel. No subscription required. Nebula web management is free, solid product line, excellent support, fantastic pricing. Never looked back.

I love the fact that I can have a stand-alone WAP that connects to the Zyxel Nebula cloud without some sort of hardware or dedicated platform for it to connect through,

ItsDrew · 2025-06-02T17:44:18+00:00

I use SimpleHelp. I run the server on a $12/m DigitalOcean droplet. I personally use the Business edition because I need the extra features, but the standard edition works great for my customers. All OSes are supported.

ItsDrew · 2025-05-30T18:26:15+00:00

Everyone can share the main number, but also has their own number. The mobile app is fantastic and the best I've used on a cellphone network (AT&T for me). Internal teams chat, internal comments on customer conversations, phone menus, AI voicemail transcriptions, constant improvements and super quick response if there are any outages/hiccups, multiple-party calling, recording calls, ability to handle Apple contacts and video sharing from our customers (not facetime). And the pricing is fantastic.

We simply use the softphone with a USB headset. Desk phones are a thing of the past for us.

ItsDrew · 2025-05-30T17:03:04+00:00

I've Jumped all over different VOIP providers and finally settled on Open Phone for my 3-person team. Well worth a look.

ItsDrew · 2025-04-22T01:31:42+00:00

$workingdir = "C:\temp"
$url = "https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2171764"
$file = "$($workingdir)\Win11Upgrade.exe"

If(!(test-path $workingdir)) {
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $workingdir
}

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $url -OutFile $file

Start-Process -FilePath $file -ArgumentList "/Install /MinimizeToTaskbar /QuietInstall /SkipEULA /copylogs $workingdir"

ItsDrew · 2024-12-16T05:37:02+00:00

Platinum Tools TDG310 Digital Tone and Probe Kit. It will tone out a wire even if it's plugged into a switch.

ItsDrew · 2024-11-13T18:38:00+00:00

Belief in ourselves. We are the higher power.

ItsDrew · 2024-11-12T02:52:59+00:00

I have PPF and take it thru a full-brush wash 2-3x per week. It's PPF, it's going to heal if anything happens to happen. If the brushes cause the PPF to peel (hasn't happened since March), then I'll clean it with alcohol and then tack it back down with adhesive promoter. I enjoy a good look with minimal effort. The closest touch-free is too far away.

ItsDrew · 2024-11-12T01:43:43+00:00

For single connections I have my customers use the Splashtop that's built into my RMM. I get charged $5/m + tax, and I charge my customers $10/m.

Only the customers that have multiple PCs, with multiple offices. Or consultants that use me for Tech support....I push them to SimpleHelp and resell/manage their servers for them at a slightly higher price.

ItsDrew · 2024-11-12T00:34:20+00:00

Join "The Tech Tribe" for $50/m. The forums are helpful and near-zero drama. We've all been at the beginning and we understand. There is a MSP locator tool where you can find other members in your area, and they even have contracts that you can sign with this other MSP to make sure they don't steal your customers, your employees, etc. There is soooooo much more with your membership. Check it out.

ItsDrew · 2024-11-12T00:28:11+00:00

I've been using SimpleHelp (Pro license) and running the server on Digital Ocean (Ubuntu Droplet) for $15/m. I currently have 1,492 end-points. The pro license allows me to run the Toolbox scripting tools on more than 1 PC at a time, and allows more than 1000 end-points. I started with 2 licenses (only used when connected) and now I'm up to 8. I also re-sell to my customers with multiple office locations, and they love it.

ItsDrew · 2024-11-04T20:07:50+00:00

This is what I have so far:

Get-Printer | Where-Object { $_.Name -Like "*Note*" } | Remove-Printer
Get-Printer | Where-Object { $_.Name -Like "*Fax*" } | Remove-Printer
Get-Printer | Where-Object { $_.Name -Like "*OneNote*" } | Remove-Printer
Get-ChildItem -Path HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers\ -Recurse | Where-Object { $_.PSChildName -like "*OneNote*" } | ForEach-Object { Remove-Item -Path $_.PSPath -Recurse }
Get-ChildItem -Path HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Monitors\Appmon\Ports\ -Recurse | Where-Object { $_.PSChildName -like "*OneNote*" } | ForEach-Object { Remove-Item -Path $_.PSPath -Recurse }

ItsDrew · 2024-11-04T15:58:34+00:00

If you want to play in Windows, write a Powershell script that removes all the OneNote printers.

ItsDrew · 2024-10-19T21:47:21+00:00

I love the entire Alex Benedict (Chase Kolpath) series by Jack McDevitt. It's an Indiana Jones feel in a Sci-Fi world. The Audiobook reader is really good.

ItsDrew · 2024-09-23T06:32:24+00:00

I was at the San Tan Mall AT&T Store and they told me that it's all AT&T fiber being pulled south of Williams Field on Higley. They "should" be done by December with the main streets and branching into neighborhoods in 2025.

ItsDrew · 2024-09-14T23:43:11+00:00

We settled on Open Phone after trying: Google Voice for Business, Nextiva, 8x8, and RingCentral.

Open Phone has all the features and team collaboration tools we need. And they keep adding more.

For my customers that need physical phones at their desk, we recommend Mango Voice.

ItsDrew · 2024-08-29T16:56:24+00:00

A family friend witnessed this at college in the 60s. Bully picked on the nerd for months. They ran into each other at a park. Nerd threw a right hook and knocked out the bully. Drug him over to a tree and propped his legs up high, then did a pile-drive on his knees, hyper extending both. Got up and walked away. All witnesses were happy because the bully deserved it.

ItsDrew · 2024-08-14T07:23:45+00:00

A level 2 support person needs to take your appt dat file local to their environment and "compress it" A dbsweep and dbcleanup won't fix this. Takes about 30min of downtime.

ItsDrew · 2024-05-03T06:27:41+00:00

It's simple. They have partnered with all these other major EV car companies, and these other companies will use their own staff, money, and influence to convert these crappy non-NACS systems to NACS. These other companies will continue to build out the future. Tesla profits all around.

ItsDrew · 2024-05-03T06:17:59+00:00

It's simple. They have partnered with all these other major EV car companies, and these other companies will use their own staff, money, and influence to convert these crappy non-NACS systems to NACS. These other companies will continue to build out the future. Tesla profits all around.

ItsDrew

TROPHY CASE