New Clerk PC hardware - 2021

[lajackson]

Except I'm not trying to open a file, nor has it ever been run previously. Trying to run it after a fresh reboot doesn't help either, which would kill hung processes.

Well then, even this STS cannot help you, sorry.

[russellhltn]

Speaking of LibreOffice, I tried with several PC's to get version 7.1.6 working, but without success. It runs its own "Safe Mode" version, but won't launch the full version. Apparently, there's some incompatibility with a new LibreOffice install and certain Windows 10 updates. Reinstalling doesn't help, nor do the dozens of possible solutions found on the Internet. The ONLY solution that worked for me was to install version 7.2.1. Whether over the older version, or as a fresh install, it just works. The reason I didn't go that route before is that 7.2.1 is NOT considered a tried and proven "stable" release, where as 7.1.6 is.

I ran into the same thing - but worse. 7.1.6 won't run. I can't repair, can't uninstall. I can't install 7.2.1 as it can't uninstall 7.1.6.

I'm stuck.

It doesn't seem to be related to Sophos as this happens on machines it's not running on. And it's happening on multiple machines that I didn't do much more than install updates.

[craiggsmith]

The provisioning tool is some type of a batch file. Is it possible there is a keyboard shortcut that might pause it when the selection screen comes up, Ctrl-P or something? Yeah, I am old school. Everything moves too fast for me nowadays.

OK, if you hit the spacebar when the selection screen is visible, it will hold it there indefinitely and allow you to make changes. The ONLY changes I recommend is to uncheck Chrome, Adobe Reader, and LibreOffice, since they are outdated versions that have to be updated anyway. Those choices are all on the first screen. When done, hit the "Begin Install" link in the upper left and it will continue. Don't touch anything other settings! (And no, Sophos is NOT one of the choices available in this menu to deselect. That would be FAR too easy! )

Good to know, thanks!

[Mikerowaved]

I ran into the same thing - but worse. 7.1.6 won't run. I can't repair, can't uninstall. I can't install 7.2.1 as it can't uninstall 7.1.6.

I'm stuck.

Ouch! I'll be putting 7.2.x on to the other PCs today. I'll let you know how it goes.

BTW, got the file. Thanks!

[craiggsmith]

Yes, it appears to be a configuration issue. I have 5 of 6 new machines that installed Sophos. A direct quote from the person handling it is "We found the computer is in the Workforce Sub Estate and not the Meetinghouse Sub Estate in Sophos".

I'm still working my contacts to see what it will take to fix things.

So I did a full reinstall of Windows (21H1) and again it prompted for a church employee login, and again installed Sophos after the initial provisioning. It also installed Software Center, which we use at my company and from the offerings appears to be directed towards the workforce. So I'm pretty sure it's the same issue you are having. I'll call support again and see if I can get someone more helpful.

[russellhltn]

Yes, it appears to be a configuration issue. I have 5 of 6 new machines that installed Sophos. A direct quote from the person handling it is "We found the computer is in the Workforce Sub Estate and not the Meetinghouse Sub Estate in Sophos".

As a follow-up, this didn't automatically trigger an uninstall like it did before, but it did make a manual uninstall as simple as doing a standard uninstall from Apps & Features in Settings.

I believe the person who helped me was responding to an escalated ticket from my initial problem. I still have another 4 machines waiting for the same treatment.

[craiggsmith]

I did a factory reset on the one whose Windows update failed, and this time it successfully updated to 20H2. But do you recommend I update all of them to 21H1 to avoid a unit having to do that later? It hasn't come up as a recommendation in the Windows update, but I can do a full reinstall with the Microsoft tool.

[craiggsmith]

So I did a full reinstall of Windows (21H1) and again it prompted for a church employee login, and again installed Sophos after the initial provisioning. It also installed Software Center, which we use at my company and from the offerings appears to be directed towards the workforce. So I'm pretty sure it's the same issue you are having. I'll call support again and see if I can get someone more helpful.

The support person today said the behavior I am seeing with these two machines is because of a random beta-test they are doing, but he couldn't find the email with the solution. We'll see when they get back to me and what they say, but seems odd, the other explanation seems more plausible.

[craiggsmith]

So it looks like all these machines get Software Center now. They didn't all have the same apps though, and not all look like meetinghouse computer apps, but maybe it's somewhat generic; I'll check them again later.

[Mikerowaved]

But do you recommend I update all of them to 21H1 to avoid a unit having to do that later?

I don't know if it's recommended, but that's what I did.