sync: auto-sync from HOWARD-HOME at 2026-06-29 14:23:40

Author: Howard Enos Machine: HOWARD-HOME Timestamp: 2026-06-29 14:23:40
2026-06-29 14:24:12 -07:00
parent 602c5e5bd6
commit 00af39d369
12 changed files with 2873 additions and 3 deletions
--- a/clients/rednour/session-logs/2026-06/2026-06-29-howard-legalasst-zip-hang-wp5-win11.md
+++ b/clients/rednour/session-logs/2026-06/2026-06-29-howard-legalasst-zip-hang-wp5-win11.md
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+# Rednour Law — LEGALASST explorer hang on .zip + WordPerfect 5 save error + Win11 plan
+
+## User
+- **User:** Howard Enos (howard)
+- **Machine:** Howard-Home
+- **Role:** tech
+
+## Session Summary
+
+Diagnosed an explorer.exe stability problem on **LEGALASST**, the legal assistant's
+workstation at Rednour Law (Carla Skinner's box; active local account `emma`, profile
+`C:\Users\Ale`, OneDrive `carla@rednourlaw.com`). Reported via Carrie Rednour: explorer
+repeatedly hung/crashed when "opening files or messing with files." Work was driven over
+GuruRMM (agent `18825ea7-df58-47bb-b492-822cb16fb5ec`); the office subnet was initially
+unreachable from HOWARD-HOME because Tailscale was stuck in `NoState`, which cleared on its
+own shortly after.
+
+Established via the Application event log that explorer was **hanging (AppHang Event 1002),
+not crashing** — there were no Event 1000 / faulting-module records. Hangs were firing
+several times per hour on 2026-06-29 and continued after a 10:52 reboot. The `.NET Runtime`
+Event 1022 "profiling API attach" errors (201 of them) were ruled out as benign noise — no
+`COR_PROFILER` env var is set, so nothing is being injected into explorer via that path.
+
+Narrowed the cause by elimination. Blocked the Adobe shell extensions (Acrobat context-menu
+ CoreSync overlays) via the Microsoft "Blocked" CLSID list and restarted explorer — no
+change, so Adobe was ruled out and reverted. Mapped drives X/Y/Z (→ `\\rednourcarrievirt`,
+the cloned Carrie host) were healthy (`Status OK`, no SMBClient errors). The only
+non-Microsoft DLLs actually loaded in explorer were the AMD Vega driver
+(`amdihk64/atidxx64/aticfx64/atiuxp64`), but there were **zero display-driver TDR events**,
+so the GPU driver was not crash-recovering. OneDrive sync was healthy and its overlay was not
+even loaded. Howard then supplied the decisive clue: the hang happens **only when opening
+`.zip` files**, Word/PDF open fine, and the failing zip is on the **local desktop** (not
+OneDrive, not a network share). That isolated the fault to the **built-in Windows Compressed
+Folders handler** (explorer's zip-as-folder namespace). `zipfldr.dll` is intact and validly
+signed, so the hang is environmental, not a corrupt handler DLL.
+
+Howard installed **7-Zip 26.02** as a workaround — it opens the same zips fine because it is
+a standalone app that never invokes explorer's zip namespace. He will set 7-Zip as the
+default for `.zip` (and `.7z`/`.rar`, currently unassociated) via the 7-Zip GUI. A second,
+separate issue on the same machine was reported: saving from **WordPerfect 5** returns "not
+enough free space" regardless of save location, despite Howard verifying ample free space.
+The plan is to **upgrade LEGALASST to Windows 11**, which is expected to resolve the
+zip-handler hang by rebuilding the shell/system files (and applies the pending SFC repair);
+the team will test a local zip with the built-in handler after the upgrade. All diagnostic
+changes were reverted and the box was left clean.
+
+## Key Decisions
+
+- Diagnosed live over GuruRMM rather than waiting for on-site access; used `user_session`
+  context for HKCU/OneDrive/shell-folder reads and SYSTEM context for HKLM/event-log reads.
+- Used the Microsoft **Shell Extensions\Blocked** CLSID list (reversible) to test-disable
+  Adobe/7-Zip shell extensions instead of deleting registrations — clean revert path.
+- Treated the `.NET 1022` errors as noise after confirming no `COR_PROFILER` was set, instead
+  of chasing the profiler-injection theory.
+- Did **not** hand-write a per-user UserChoice association hash for `.zip` (hash-protected;
+  a wrong hash leaves a broken "how do you want to open this?" prompt). Howard opted to set
+  the default in the 7-Zip GUI; no DefaultAssociations policy was pushed.
+- Concluded the Win11 in-place upgrade is the right fix for the zip-handler hang (rebuilds
+  shell/system files) rather than further low-level surgery on a Win10 22H2 EOL box.
+
+## Problems Encountered
+
+- **Office subnet unreachable from HOWARD-HOME** — Tailscale daemon RUNNING but backend stuck
+  in `NoState`; a service restart did not clear it, but it came up on its own shortly after.
+- **Orphaned RMM diagnostic process** — the first diagnostic command timed out server-side at
+  120s (a `HKLM\...\Classes\*\shellex` wildcard scan), but the agent's child `powershell.exe`
+  (PID 1048) kept running on the endpoint for 10+ minutes, churning CPU. This was the
+  "PowerShell that's been running" Howard noticed. Killed it (SYSTEM context). Logged as
+  friction.
+- **`$pid` reserved-variable collision** — used `$pid` as a variable in a remote script; `$PID`
+  is the automatic current-process-id variable, so the `.zip` ProgID read returned garbage
+  (16044). Re-ran with a non-reserved name. Logged as friction.
+- **Mis-assumption corrected** — initially assumed LEGALASST was the cloned machine; Carrie's
+  machine was the one cloned (to host `rednourcarrievirt`), LEGALASST is the legal assistant's
+  (unchanged) box. Logged as a correction.
+
+## Configuration Changes
+
+Net change to the endpoint: **none** (all diagnostic changes reverted; box left clean). During
+the session, on LEGALASST:
+- Added then removed Adobe (4 CLSIDs) and 7-Zip shell-extension CLSIDs in
+  `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked` (Blocked list now
+  empty).
+- Restarted explorer.exe several times (user_session).
+- Killed orphaned diagnostic process PID 1048.
+- Howard installed 7-Zip 26.02 (standalone; he will set `.zip`/`.7z`/`.rar` defaults).
+- Howard ran `sfc /scannow` — found and repaired corruption (0 unrepairable); repair pending
+  a reboot to load.
+
+Repo: this session log; Rednour wiki record update pending (`/wiki-compile client:rednour`).
+
+## Credentials & Secrets
+
+None discovered, created, or rotated this session.
+
+## Infrastructure & Servers
+
+- **LEGALASST** — legal assistant workstation, Rednour Law "Main Office" site. Win 10 Pro 22H2
+  (build 19045, **EOL**), AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (Vega 8 iGPU), **5.9 GB RAM**, LAN 192.168.10.213.
+  GuruRMM agent `18825ea7-df58-47bb-b492-822cb16fb5ec`. Active local account `emma`, profile
+  `C:\Users\Ale`. OneDrive account `carla@rednourlaw.com`; Documents redirected to
+  `C:\Users\Ale\OneDrive - Rednour Law\Documents`. Leftover **SyncroLive.Agent.Runner** still
+  running.
+- AMD GPU driver: 31.0.12027.9001 (2023-03-29). 7zFM.exe 26.02 at `C:\Program Files\7-Zip\`.
+- `zipfldr.dll` = 10.0.19041.1, signature Valid (handler is intact).
+- Mapped drives (user `emma`): X: `\\rednourcarrievirt\Time Matters Shared Files`, Y:
+  `\\rednourcarrievirt\Timeslips`, Z: `\\rednourcarrievirt\Documents` — all `Status OK`.
+- GuruRMM server `http://172.16.3.30:3001`; coord `http://172.16.3.30:8001`.
+
+## Commands & Outputs
+
+- Diagnostic dispatch pattern: `POST /api/agents/<id>/command` (powershell, `context`
+  system or user_session), poll `GET /api/commands/<id>`.
+- Key reads: `Get-WinEvent` Application 1000/1002 + ProviderName 'Application Hang'/'.NET
+  Runtime'; explorer loaded modules filtered to non-Microsoft `CompanyName`;
+  `Get-SmbMapping`; `Get-MpComputerStatus`/`Get-MpPreference`; CBS.log `[SR]` parse.
+- AppHang count = 10 in last 3h on 2026-06-29; latest 11:31:02 (post 10:52 reboot).
+- `.zip` association: `HKCR\.zip` (default) = `CompressedFolder`, **no UserChoice**. 7-Zip
+  registered only a `7-Zip.iso` ProgId (no `7-Zip.zip`). `.7z`/`.rar` currently unassociated.
+- SFC (CBS.log): "Verify and Repair Transaction completed... successfully repaired"; 0
+  "cannot repair" entries.
+- Defender: RTP on, no active scan, signatures fresh, `DisableArchiveScanning=False`,
+  `MAPSReporting=2`, `SubmitSamplesConsent=1` (archive + cloud scanning on).
+
+## Pending / Incomplete Tasks
+
+1. **Howard:** set 7-Zip as default app for `.zip` (and `.7z`/`.rar`) via 7-Zip GUI
+   (Tools → Options → System).
+2. **Upgrade LEGALASST to Windows 11** (expected to resolve the zip-handler hang; applies
+   the pending SFC repair). Pre-reqs: enable fTPM + Secure Boot in BIOS (Ryzen 3 3200G is
+   Win11-supported), bump RAM from 5.9 GB, remove the leftover Syncro agent. **Test a local
+   `.zip` with the built-in handler post-upgrade.**
+3. **WordPerfect 5 "not enough free space" on save** — investigate. Leading hypothesis:
+   legacy/DOS-era WordPerfect free-space miscalculation on large-capacity volumes (free-space
+   value overflows → false "disk full"). This is app-level and will **not** be fixed by the
+   OS upgrade; mitigate via DOSBox or directing saves to a SUBST'd small-capacity location.
+   Confirm exact WP version/edition (DOS 5.1 vs Windows).
+4. **If the zip hang persists after the Win11 upgrade:** next lead is Defender archive-scan +
+   cloud (MAPS) lookup stalling the shell when the built-in handler streams zip entries.
+5. Standing P1s (pre-existing): reboot to apply SFC repair; remove prior MSP agents.
+
+## Reference Information
+
+- GuruRMM agent id: `18825ea7-df58-47bb-b492-822cb16fb5ec` (LEGALASST).
+- Rednour tenant: `rednourlaw.com` (`4a4ca18a-f516-478b-99da-2e0722c5dc18`); Syncro customer
+  `1224246`.
+- Wiki: `wiki/clients/rednour.md`. Refresh: `/wiki-compile client:rednour --full`.
+- Reversible shell-ext disable mechanism: `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked` (add CLSID value to block; delete to restore).
--- a/clients/rednour/session-logs/2026-06/2026-06-29-howard-nick-mac-rmm-install-attempt.md
+++ b/clients/rednour/session-logs/2026-06/2026-06-29-howard-nick-mac-rmm-install-attempt.md
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+## User
+- **User:** Howard Enos (howard)
+- **Machine:** Howard-Home
+- **Role:** tech
+
+## Session Summary
+
+Resumed work on getting the GuruRMM agent installed on Nick Pafford's Mac at Rednour Law
+Offices (Rednour's office). The client/site was already onboarded (2026-05-29), so the goal
+this session was to hand Nick the correct macOS download/install link and confirm enrollment.
+
+Pulled the Rednour Main site enrollment details from the vault (site_code GREEN-FALCON-7214)
+and provided the public install page URL. On verification, the install **page**
+(`/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214`) only exposes clickable buttons for Windows and Linux — there is
+no Mac button. Confirmed instead that a macOS install path exists as a `curl | sudo bash`
+one-liner at `/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214/macos`. Verified the script body (LaunchDaemon setup,
+quarantine strip, site config for GREEN-FALCON-7214) and that the agent binary it downloads is a
+Mach-O 64-bit arm64 executable (~3.96 MB), matching Nick's Apple Silicon Mac. Handed Nick the
+Terminal one-liner plus his SMB share credential (from vault).
+
+Nick (or whoever was at the Mac) ran the installer and it reported success. However, repeated
+fleet checks (3x over the session) showed the agent NOT checking in — no macOS agent appears
+under Rednour Law Offices. The three Rednour agents enrolled are all Windows
+(FrontDeskReception, LegalAsst, rednourcarrievirt). The only Macs in the entire fleet are
+Scileppi's Mac-mini-2 and Mike's MacBook Air — neither is Nick's. So the install succeeded
+locally but the agent is not connecting/enrolling to the server.
+
+Howard is no longer onsite and does not have the user's Mac password, so local diagnostics
+(foreground run, launchctl check) can't be done right now. Work was deferred. Flagged Mike via
+Discord DM that the Apple/macOS installer has an issue, that we're working it but lack the
+user's password, and asked whether he has access to another M1/Apple Silicon Mac to test the
+installer for repro.
+
+## Key Decisions
+
+- Handed Nick the macOS `curl | sudo bash` one-liner rather than the install page, since the
+  page has no Mac download button — only Windows/Linux. The `/macos` script path is the
+  supported macOS install route.
+- Verified the downloaded binary architecture (arm64 Mach-O) before handing off, to rule out an
+  x86/arch mismatch on Nick's Apple Silicon Mac.
+- Deferred diagnosis rather than guess: with no onsite access and no user password, the key
+  diagnostic (foreground `sudo /usr/local/bin/gururmm-agent` to see the connect error) can't be
+  run, so escalated to Mike and parked it.
+- Used a person-targeted Discord DM to Mike (not a #bot-alerts post) since the ask was actionable
+  and directed at him specifically (needs an M1 to test).
+
+## Problems Encountered
+
+- **macOS agent installs but does not enroll.** Installer reports success on Nick's Apple
+  Silicon Mac, but no macOS agent shows under Rednour in the fleet after multiple checks.
+  Unresolved — deferred. Likely causes to check next: LaunchDaemon not actually started /
+  crashed on launch, Gatekeeper killing the unsigned binary despite quarantine strip, or
+  outbound connectivity to rmm.azcomputerguru.com blocked. Blocked on onsite access + user
+  password.
+- **Install page has no Mac button** (Windows/Linux only). Worked around with the `/macos`
+  curl|bash one-liner, which is the real macOS install path.
+
+## Configuration Changes
+
+- None to the repo. No code changes. Vault entries were read-only this session (already
+  created in prior sessions).
+
+## Credentials & Secrets
+
+- Nick Pafford SMB share access (read this session, already vaulted):
+  - Vault: `clients/rednour/nick-smb-rednourcarrievi.sops.yaml`
+  - Username: `REDNOURCARRIEVI\nick`
+  - Password: `Kg5Qe2Kc3`
+  - Mac mount: `smb://192.168.10.194/Documents` (Finder Cmd+K)
+  - Share: `\\REDNOURCARRIEVI\Documents` -> `C:\Users\Carrie\Documents`, access Modify (rw)
+  - Local Windows account on Carrie Rednour's workstation (workgroup, no AD), PasswordNeverExpires,
+    created 2026-06-25 per Syncro #32343.
+- GuruRMM Rednour Main site enrollment (already vaulted):
+  - Vault: `clients/rednour/gururmm-site-main.sops.yaml`
+  - site_id: `c7f5787c-8e71-45b3-841f-fa52436f7d26`
+  - site_code: `GREEN-FALCON-7214`
+
+## Infrastructure & Servers
+
+- GuruRMM server API: `http://172.16.3.30:3001` (auth via vault gururmm-server.sops.yaml).
+- GuruRMM public install host: `https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com` (Cloudflare-fronted).
+- Rednour workstation REDNOURCARRIEVI: `192.168.10.194` (LAN) / `10.147.17.253` (ZeroTier).
+- Rednour Law Offices fleet (all Windows, online, v0.6.66): FrontDeskReception, LegalAsst,
+  rednourcarrievirt.
+
+## Commands & Outputs
+
+- macOS install one-liner handed to Nick:
+  `curl -fsSL https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214/macos | sudo bash`
+- Mac agent binary verification:
+  `curl .../install/GREEN-FALCON-7214/download/macos` -> HTTP 200, Mach-O 64-bit arm64
+  executable, ~3,960,397 bytes, filename `gururmm-agent-main`.
+- Fleet check (no Rednour Mac present):
+  `curl -s "$RMM/api/agents" -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" | jq '... select rednour or macos'`
+- Suggested local diagnostics for next session (need onsite/password):
+  - `sudo launchctl list | grep gururmm`
+  - `ls -l /usr/local/bin/gururmm-agent /usr/local/etc/gururmm/`
+  - `sudo /usr/local/bin/gururmm-agent`  (foreground run to surface connect error)
+  - `curl -fsS -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214/macos`
+
+## Pending / Incomplete Tasks
+
+- **OPEN:** Nick's Mac GuruRMM agent not enrolling despite successful install. Deferred.
+  - Blocked on: not onsite + no user Mac password.
+  - Next steps: run foreground diagnostic on the Mac to capture the connect/enroll error; check
+    LaunchDaemon state and Gatekeeper; verify outbound to rmm.azcomputerguru.com.
+- Mike asked (via DM) whether he has access to another M1/Apple Silicon Mac to test/repro the
+  macOS installer.
+
+## Reference Information
+
+- Install page: `https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214`
+- macOS install script: `https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214/macos`
+- macOS agent binary: `https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com/install/GREEN-FALCON-7214/download/macos`
+- MSI (Windows): `https://rmm.azcomputerguru.com/api/sites/c7f5787c-8e71-45b3-841f-fa52436f7d26/installer`
+- Discord DM to Mike: message_id 1521264675965374656
+- Syncro ticket (SMB access): #32343
+- Related prior logs: `2026-06-25-howard-nick-smb-share-and-mac-rmm.md`,
+  `2026-06-26-howard-nick-mac-rmm-rootcause.md`