How to get the files from GAC in Windows

This is what I think about since I started working on Windows. I don't know how to see the Windows GAC files and get them for other use. For example, sometimes I deploy the files to GAC location and then want to move the same dll to some other server. But, as usual, the original files missed from the file system. The only location I can get them is GAC. But, don't know how to get the files from GAC. This is a big question and resolved my my colleague Phani recently. I was surprised and felt very happy after the resolution he found and now I am utilizing it very efficiently.
There is a command available in Windows for doing the task. "subst".

The command will create a virtual folder of all GAC files to a separate drive. Below is the syntax:

subst Z: C:\windows\Assembly

When you go to the my computer you will find a new drive under the regular drives. Just go inside and you can see all the GAC files. The folder GAC_MSIL is what your all files reside in. Copy the dll's you needed and paste them in some safe location for backup.

To remove the Z drive from machine, then use below command.

subst Z: /D

All credits goes to Phani and take a look at this post from him for more information. Enjoy some nice tips and rare findings from the blog. Read More...

How to know what process is using which port in windows

I believe this is going to be a very helpful post to most of the readers. So many times I need to know about this. This is a great tip to resolve so many problems. So, it is one of my hot tips for identifying the problems.

We usually install third party software like Skype, TeamViewer etc. in the windows OS, then they will default take some port numbers available. Then there are chances they will create some problem as explained below. [This is why we need to take care of installing software on the servers or production machines. We should install if and only if we really need them. :)] Below is the complete scenario.

1. I have service 1 which is not running right now and I have assigned port number 80 for the service. 
2. I have installed the third party software and assigned port number 80 or by default it has taken port number 80 without knowing me. 
3. Now, there is a need to start service 1 in my system and use it.
4. But, it never starts. Because the same port number is already allocated to something else process... So, in this situation we can't find the problem very easily. 

We need to do some investigation here. Below is the process we need to follow. First we need to find out what all processes using which port. And then find out the result process list and take further action.

Finding which process is using which port number:

1. Open command prompt by going to Windows --> Run or [Start + R]. 
2. Type cmd in there and hit enter.
3. Now, you came up with command prompt window.
4. Type the syntax exactly as shown. netstat -aon | findstr 0.0:80

In the above syntax a means active, o means include process ID's and n means the port numbers in the result. findstr is the attribute in the command to find out only the strings which has the string given. It only finds which has the given string matched to shorten the result.

Below is the sample output I got when I used the command.

The result order is, TCP protocol,  port, listening status, process id. The last column is the process id.

Find out what is the process from process id:
Now, it is the time to find out what is the process  which has the ID 4?
To know the process and their ids we have two options. Either go to the windows task manager  --> services tab and you can see all the processes with their process ids or from command prompt.
Use the command tasklist | findstr 4. It will list all the processes which has 4 in it as shown below. See all and check everything and find out what you need.

Hope this post helps to solve the problems. Enjoy the nice series of posts. Read More...

Hardware virtualization check in WINDOWS – How to

Today at my work, I want to install VPC for Windows server 2008 64-bit. I don’t have any idea on how to install WS 2008 on VPC, because VPC by itself won’t support. It need Hyper-V installed on the server. So, googled and found some good free tools or utilities to check the hardware compatibility for the virtualization. Below are the tools used to find them out in simple way.

1. SecureAble: It is a simple tool which is really very light weight and shows us the system bit version, Hardware D.E.P support and hardware virtualization support. Download it here.

2. Cpu-z [CPUID]: which gives you complete hardware details. Download it here.

Check them to test your hardware.

I think, now you got to know how to check hardware compatibility for virtualization.

Read More...