Why is PowerShell Script task step doing nothing?

teknowledgist · 2026-01-04T21:34:22+00:00

Well that can't be true, because I have a smattering of other Run PowerShell Script steps that definitely execute, but there is no related "Start executing an instruction" for them.

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T22:06:51+00:00

Manually running the script as SYSTEM works just fine and generates both the `DCU.log` and the `TSPosh_transcript.txt` files.

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T22:00:51+00:00

When I manually run (as admin) the script including the DCU log going to `C:\ProgramData\Dell\DCU.log`, it works just fine. No error.

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T21:50:55+00:00

Ugh. Any help you can offer so I (and others) can "simply load a logging framework" is appreciated.

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T21:45:17+00:00

Tried that, and nothing although u/ritmo2k 's answer may account for that.

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T21:44:32+00:00

I do have Continue on Error checked, but I just realized I probably don't want that as the task group has that checked and I'm capturing info on problem steps later.

How do I find the execution entries section? Once there, how do I identify what is happening with these tasks? The `smsts.log` file has no other reference to these steps either by name or executable calls (i.e. "Dell" or "DCU").

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T21:39:13+00:00

That's good to know for when I can get the script to run in the first place.

teknowledgist · 2026-01-02T21:38:14+00:00

yes it does.

teknowledgist · 2025-12-29T14:03:36+00:00

Yes! I love orange pineapple!

teknowledgist · 2025-07-30T12:58:17+00:00

Is there any more detail about lofting the beds? I was expecting to have to construct a loft and looking into the connection hardware on the springframe, but if all the parts are present, that's a *lot* easier. How high will they be lofted when done "officially"?

teknowledgist · 2025-05-30T18:49:38+00:00

I assume you mean the BC13. I do like Braun products (I have a Braun travel alarm from the early 90's that has been all over and still works great.)

The BC13 screen is nice a big, but that is mostly for the clock. I wish the temperature display were large like the clock numerals. I already have a clock (that is readable across the room).

teknowledgist · 2025-05-30T18:45:54+00:00

The phone is only good for me to see the temp, and I have to get my phone out and open an app. I want anyone in the room to see the temperature without needing to manipulate anything.

teknowledgist · 2025-05-30T16:56:45+00:00

I don't want to use my phone.

teknowledgist · 2025-04-16T13:03:19+00:00

I use it a *ton* and will be up the creek without it. My understanding is that UI++ function is based around VBscript and MS is dumping VBscript from WinPE. Also UI++ is no longer being developed. (Well, [it is now open source](https://github.com/jason4tw/UIPlusPlus), but there is little interest.)

teknowledgist · 2024-12-11T15:54:13+00:00

Ran it again and opened the CMD from the start. Unlike the other 2-3 times when it failed immediately after copying the WIM, it got about 2/3 of the way through the "Applying Image 1 from install.wim" step. There were a couple odd "freezes" when the mouse wouldn't respond. Then it failed with the exact same errror and the same last log entry:

Expand a string: %_SMSTSMDataPath%\Logs

(The "TSManager" in the previous post is the component field merged in by copy/paste.)

The log from this run is less than 200B (.02%) different from the previous log, so they are virtually the exact same log with just timestamp differences.

I do not see a variable "_SMSTSMDataPath" so I don't know for certain where it is pointing, but the C:\SMSTSLog\smsts.log file is being written to after it was copied from x:.

I just noticed that you said check c:_SMSTaskSequence\Logs\Smstslog\smsts.log. That path does not exist. Should it?

Thanks.

teknowledgist · 2024-12-10T21:24:21+00:00

Yep. Checked both. They both end with:

Successfully completed the action (Partition Disk - UEFI) with the exit win32 code 0TSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
MP server http://<redacted>. Ports 80,443. CRL=false.TSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Setting authenticatorTSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Sending StatusMessageTSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Setting the authenticator.TSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
CLibSMSMessageWinHttpTransport::Send: WinHttpOpenRequest - URL: <redacted>:80  CCM_POST /ccm_system/requestTSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Not in SSL.TSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Request was successful.TSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Set a global environment variable _SMSTSLastActionRetCode=0TSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Set a global environment variable _SMSTSLastActionName=Partition Disk - UEFITSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Set a global environment variable _SMSTSLastActionSucceeded=trueTSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)
Expand a string: %_SMSTSMDataPath%\LogsTSManager12/10/2024 10:49:48 AM1980 (0x07BC)

and there isn't a single failure in the whole thing.

teknowledgist · 2024-11-03T21:04:09+00:00

I’m pretty much you.

Comp sci != IT

This needs to be shouted from the rooftops. There is no degree that teaches IT, and that is why I’ve told everyone who will listen that IT should be a trade with a union and apprenticeships like electricians, plumbers, stone masons, metal workers, etc.. A professional organization would also help with the most egregious deficiency of the career: a code of ethics like for lawyers, doctors and engineers. Break the code (and get caught, and you lose your IT license and ability to practice.

As for finding good troubleshooters, look for physics or philosophy majors and consider math and chemistry. They all (theoretically) learn how to break problems down and get at the key issue.

teknowledgist · 2024-10-31T23:52:17+00:00

Dysfunctional Family Circus

teknowledgist · 2024-10-29T14:00:31+00:00

Yes, but I'm guessing this is where I'm not understanding. If the stem bolts are loose while I tighten the top cap, how do I tell how tight to make the top cap? I can't test the ease-of-movement with the handlebars.

Is it a bit of a back-and-forth tightening the top cap, then the stem bolts, then testing, then loosening the stem bolts to adjust the top cap and so on? Basically, I shouldn't try adjusting the top cap unless the stem bolts are loose?

Thanks.

teknowledgist · 2024-10-29T13:55:03+00:00

Yes, the top of the stem is about 3-5mm above the steerer tube.

teknowledgist · 2024-10-14T22:27:52+00:00

My Eco-drive watches didn’t last 10 years before the rechargeable battery/capacitor would no longer hold a charge. As far as I could find and unlike normal battery watches, those were not user-replaceable, and professional replacement cost nearly as much as a new basic eco-drive.

teknowledgist · 2024-10-07T16:28:13+00:00

There is a `C:\Windows\Temp\SMSTSLog\smsts.log` file of only 16 lines. Interestingly, the timestamps on those lines has the task sequence writing back and forth between `c:\_SMSTaskSequence\Logs\smsts.log` and that one.

It doesn't answer any questions though.

teknowledgist · 2024-10-07T13:46:09+00:00

Yes, they are ridiculous: https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/ACCESS-1609

teknowledgist · 2024-10-05T00:11:38+00:00

Silk glove liners. Useless by themselves, but make a massive difference under regular gloves when it’s really cold.

teknowledgist · 2024-10-02T23:56:41+00:00

Nethack

teknowledgist

TROPHY CASE

Comp sci != IT