Convert Server 2016 trial version to licensed version

If you’ve downloaded the trial version of Server 2016 and decided you’d like to just go ahead and put it into to production it’s easy to change the version and save yourself a reinstall of the OS. This article does a good job at explaining the process. The quick version is, at an elevated command prompt enter
dism /online /set-edition:ServerStandard /productkey:WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY /accepteula

That is a KMS key, if you are using a KMS server then you can leave the command as is, if you are using a MAK or retail key just substitute it for the one given. The server will then need to reboot. After you log back in, at an elevated command prompt type: slmgr /ipk WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY and once again use the save key you used in the first command. After that has finished, to activate Windows type the following command:
slmgr /ato

This method worked perfectly for me using a freshly downloaded trial version of 2016 and a MAK key from the volume licensing center.

WordPerfect 11 won’t save in Windows 7 and up

So you have that one user that loves WordPerfect 11 and just can’t live without it. You swap out their machine for nice new Windows 10 box only to find that their favorite app, WP11 in this case, just refuses to save anything once you get it installed. Now I know, it’s really not compatible with Windows 7 and newer operating systems, but can you get it to work without using XP mode? The answer is yes! Simply navigate to the C:/Program Files (x86)/WordPerfect Office 11/Programs/ folder, then locate the PerfectFit Document Management folder and change the name of it to something like “XXPerfectFit Document Management“.  The next time you open WP11 you’ll be saving documents like its 2004 again.

Losing interest in HP…..

Since working to replace /upgrade all our old XP machines I’m running into more and more printer problems with Windows 7 pro 64bit mostly but also some with the 32 bit variety.  Granted some of these are old Laserjet printers, but the latest, an HP LaserJetP1505n has gotten on my last nerve. I’m replacing it with a Brother workgroup laser printer instead of going with another HP. We are almost exclusively an HP shop but between fighting with printer driver problems and HP’s latest move concerning firmware updates (you can read about it here), I’m seriously looking and going a different direction. What direction that is, I’m not sure. But the last thing a one man IT dept. needs is another support subscription to keep up with when other vendors are giving it away for free.

PDF to Word converter

I often have users looking for a way to convert an ancient form or some other document that they only have a paper version of and has been copied and re-copied to death, to something they can edit and update in Word. Its no problem to scan the file to a pdf (that usually looks terrible) and there are lots of free converters online but most of them just convert the document to an image in a Word file, not very useful. This morning I found a site www.onlineocr.net that does great conversions using OCR or Optical Character Recognition, which means it outputs the conversion in an actual text format that you can edit. It supports multiple file formats and languages. You get 25 free credits (or pages) and after that you can purchase credits for very reasonable prices. Give it a try, I have no affiliation just something I ran across that works.

And away we go!

I’ve been kicking around the idea of starting a blog for years. Just a place to put some helpful hints and info that I’ve found while attempting to fix assorted IT related problems, and what ever else may come to mind. Don’t be surprised if there happens to be some random posts from time to time about life, running, hobbies, and even Christmas lights. Thanks for stopping by.