microsoft.jpg

Contest: From the Microsoft Thrive website – Enter to win a Microsoft Training course

Aug 13th

Posted by anovelo in Contest

No comments

microsoft (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/microsoft1 NULL.jpg)     With all the changes and challenges recently in the I.T. field, Microsoft has started a page on the Microsoft site with the purpose of helping I.T. professionals. The page which Microsoft calls Thrive (http://www.microsoft.com/click/thrive/ (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/click/thrive/)) is split into 3 areas.

microsoft_thrive-thumb-640xauto-1893 (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/microsoft_thrivethumb640xauto1893 NULL.jpg)

Microsoft covers Career Help (Care Care), Improving Technical skills (Technical Competency), and Business / I.T. relations in relations to Compliance and Cost Savings (Business & I.T. Alignment). 

     One of the Thrive offerings involves offers and promotions that are geared at helping those in the I.T. field get ahead.  Of these, on of the current promotions involves “Enter to win a Microsoft training course” which is worth $2995 (US) (http://www.globalknowledge.com/training/form_msthrive.asp?pageid=2400&country=United+States (http://www NULL.globalknowledge NULL.com/training/form_msthrive NULL.asp?pageid=2400&country=United+States))

From the sign up page for the promotion:

Enter to win a Microsoft training course worth $2,995(US) (http://www NULL.globalknowledge NULL.com/training/olm/go NULL.asp?find=Msthrive_906_Course&country=United+States)

  • Global Knowledge is a proud sponsor of the free training course giveaway on Microsoft’s Thrive website. At the end of each month, we’ll pick one lucky winner and giveaway one Microsoft Classroom or Virtual course valued at up to $2,995! That’s right, the winner will get to choose the Microsoft course of their choice and get training FOR FREE!

The Thrive site is designed completely in Silverlight, so you may be prompted to install Silverlight to get to all the information on Thrive.

*As always this promotion is handled by someone other than me. I have nothing to do with the promotion.

, ,

Software: A Bootable USB utility to create bootable USB drives for Win 7 and Server 2008

Aug 12th

Posted by anovelo in How-To

No comments

The following from askvg.com is another option for installing Windows from a USB drive.  Another option to install from USB can also be found on the “How to install your windows operating system if you don’t have a cd rom” post http://techgeekandmore.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/tech-how-to-install-your-windows-operating-system-when-you-dont-have-a-cd-rom/ (http://techgeekandmore NULL.wordpress NULL.com/2009/08/07/tech-how-to-install-your-windows-operating-system-when-you-dont-have-a-cd-rom/)

(From www.askvg.com (http://www NULL.askvg NULL.com))

Imagine a situation where you need to install Windows Vista or 7 in a system but you don’t have access to DVD drive. We all know Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 comes in DVDs and you’ll need a DVD drive to install them. Then how will you install them? The solution is, you can create a bootable USB drive which can be used to install Windows without using DVD drive.

nA askvg.com reader created a small utility which creates a bootable USB drive to install Windows Vista, Server 2008 or Windows 7.

Prerequisites:

  • A USB Drive (4 GB or more)
  • Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 ISO image or DVD
  • Host OS: Windows Vista (SP1 or SP2), Server 2008 or 7

How to Use:

Once you meet the requirements, run the utility. Its a portable utility so doesn’t need installation. Simply run it and check the option "I have read and accepted the following License Agreement". Now click on OK button and it’ll launch the main application.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/A_Bootable_USB.png

It also shows a Help window so that you can use the utility easily. The utility requires only 4 easy steps to follow:

  • Check USB drive (To check whether your USB drive is attached or not)
  • Format USB drive
  • Choose DVD or ISO image (To copy the required files to USB drive)
  • Start the process to create bootable USB drive

Download Links:

Download Link (http://rapidshare NULL.com/files/246754337/A_Bootable_USB NULL.zip) (Rapidshare)

Download Link (http://www NULL.mediafire NULL.com/download NULL.php?mmtditiydmm) (Mediafire)

Download Link (http://cid-f52381d9f2fd5fd8 NULL.skydrive NULL.live NULL.com/browse NULL.aspx/ABUSB) (Skydrive)

PS: It also works in 64-bit Windows versions.

,
windows7_icon.jpg

Software: Windows 7 XPM (XP Mode) Install Procedure

Aug 11th

Posted by anovelo in How-To

No comments

windows7_icon (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/windows7_icon2 NULL.jpg)   (Updated 8/11/09 @ 7:30p to add a missing step) One of the best features I have been using with Windows 7 is called XPM or “XP Mode”. XP Mode is an optional feature for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions. The idea behind XP Mode is that it helps small businesses upgrade to Windows 7 by providing a virtual Windows XP environment capable of running many older (normally called legacy) Windows XP-compatible business and productivity applications, however, even home users would see a benefit if you run an application that is a couple of years old that you just cant live without, can’t afford to upgrade, if your moving to 64-bit Windows 7 but have an application that only works in a 32-bit environment

(That would be Cisco VPN software for me where Cisco lists on their site that the VPN software is only for 32-bit systems.  With XPM I’m running it in Windows 7 – 64bit edition.  You can Bing or Google your software and search will (name of software) work in a 64 bit operating system)

or software that the software maker has retired and isn’t making newer versions of. 

     Microsoft has had Virtual PC Software for a few years now, but in the past, it involved running the software inside of a VM window that you had to start manually and then you also could not read or connect any USB hardware as the VM could not recognize USB.  Now with the XP Mode, you still have to use the VM window to install your programs that need XP to run, but once that is done, you will see a shortcut on your Windows 7 start menu and your program will run directly from Windows 7 just using the XP VM as support (the support XP gives to make the program run happens completely in the background).  I am getting a little ahead of myself, so lets go thru the XP mode requirements and steps to install 1st

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate Editions.
  • PC with at least 2 gigs of memory (as XP Mode does use up additional resources to run)
  • PC with at least 15 GB (That’s gigabytes) of free hard drive space
  • PC that comes with a BIOS that includes either Intel – VT or AMD – V (The V stands for Virtualization, on some PC it may just say the word Virtualization) as the hardware virtualization is what is at the heart of XP Mode, without it you CAN NOT RUN XP Mode.       
  • Download of the Microsoft Virtual PC and and Windows XP mode from the Microsoft website http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/windows/virtual-pc/download NULL.aspx) .

xp mode download screen (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/xpmodedownloadscreen NULL.jpg)

What you will need to check:

     The 1st thing you will need to check is your bios to make sure you have the Virtualization option and that it is enabled.  To access your bios, during the very 1st screen you see when you power your machine, look for a message that says “Press F1 to enter setup” or “Press delete (key) to enter set up” or something to that effect.  Whatever that message says to press that’s the button you will press.

BIOS xp mode (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/biosxpmode NULL.jpg)

     Once your in your bios, you need to look for the setting for “Virtualization” or Intel –VT or AMD – V.  Once your find it, make sure its enabled.  The press F10 (this is standard on almost all PC bios screens) to save your changes and restart your pc**.

**Note the bios also controls virtually all the settings in your pc, DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ANY OTHER PART OF YOUR BIOS UNLESS YOUR REALLY SURE OF WHAT THE CHANGE WILL DO.  THE ONLY ONE I’M TELLING YOU IS OK TO CHANGE IS THE VIRTUALIZATION ONE.

Installation of software:

1. Install Windows Virtual PC RC:
Double-click Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu (depending on if your using 32bit or 64bit Windows 7). Just follow the prompts by selecting yes or next to install after the double click. You may be prompted at the end of the install to reboot, go ahead and reboot.

 kb958559EULA (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fkb958559EULA NULL.jpg)

5-1-2009 2-55-52 PM (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2f51200925552PM NULL.jpg)

5-1-2009 2-56-34 PM (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2f51200925634PM NULL.jpg)

5-1-2009 3-31-57 PM (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2f51200933157PM NULL.jpg)

2. Install Windows XP Mode RC:
Double-click WindowsXPMode_nn-NN.exe (where nn-NN is the locale, for example: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe) and follow the instructions in the wizard to extract and install Windows XP Mode RC.

virtual-windows-xp-vhd (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fvirtualwindowsxpvhd NULL.png)

5-1-2009 12-56-32 PM (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2f512009125632PM NULL.jpg)

Virtual Windows XP Setup Complete (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fVirtualWindowsXPSetupComplete NULL.jpg)

3. Reboot Windows 7 to complete the installation.

4. To start Windows XP Mode RC Setup:
Click Start, click All Programs, click Windows Virtual PC, and then click Windows XP Mode.

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image1 NULL.png)

***If your PC does not have Virtualization built into the bios or if you do not have it enabled you will see the following message. If your still not sure if you have virtualization, check with your Tech neighbor, your Tech child or other Tech family member, or Tech Friend for additional support 

Virtual Windows XP fail to start (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fVirtualWindowsXPfailtostart NULL.jpg)

5. When the virtual machine starts for the first time, the Virtual Windows XP EULA appears. Accept it and click Next to continue.

 Virtual XP License Agreement (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fVirtualXPLicenseAgreement NULL.jpg)

6. On the next screen you will be asked where you want you XP mode files saved. The default is listed, however, if you have a more than one drive or a hard drive with multiple partitions (C:\ D:\ E:\ etc) you may want to consider changing that location to another drive.  Also another trick, if you have more than 1 profile on your pc (we use 3 at home), then when you install XP mode under each profile (and yes you have to do the install for each person who is to use XP Mode) with an account (profile) on the pc that you plan to use XP mode on choose the same location for the install.  That way you only have 1 install of XP mode and all users share the 1 XP Mode install. This also keeps you from having to install the same software multiple times.

xpm location screen (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/xpmlocationscreen NULL.jpg)

7. On the next screen, Create a password for the User account. This is a required account with administrator privileges that the wizard creates automatically. It is the default account used to run Windows XP mode. **Its important that you remember the password you entered at this screen**

VXP Password Set (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fVXPPasswordSet NULL.jpg)

During the setup process you will be prompted how you want to handle window updates for XPM. Choose automatic update settings for Virtual Windows XP and proceed next. 

vxp update (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fvxpupdate NULL.jpg)

Then you will see the following while XPM installs

(Took about 4 minutes on a dual core AMD 2.86 GHZ system)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image2 NULL.png)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image3 NULL.png)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image4 NULL.png)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image5 NULL.png)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image6 NULL.png)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image7 NULL.png)

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image8 NULL.png) 

 image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image9 NULL.png)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Setting up VPC (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fSettingupVPC NULL.jpg)

Initializing virtual machine (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fInitializing
virtualmachine NULL.jpg)

Starting the operating system (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fStartingtheoperatingsystem NULL.jpg)

Enabling integration features (http://www NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com/ct NULL.ashx?id=0a0a2ada-9322-436b-8710-39efd6184d38&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww NULL.bostonpocketpc NULL.com%2fimages%2fposts%2fHowtoinstallXPMXPModeonWindows7_2F7E%2fEnablingintegrationfeatures NULL.jpg)

8. After completion of first time start wizard, Windows XP Mode is ready to use.

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image10 NULL.png) 

At this point simply use the Windows XP window and install your XP programs into that window.  Once installed you can select start –>  Log off XPM User

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image11 NULL.png)

Select Log Off

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image12 NULL.png)

Then from the top of the XPM window select Action and close

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image13 NULL.png)

You will see “Hibernating he Virtual Machine”

image (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/image14 NULL.png)

and with that your out of XPM. and then you can look at your start menu and you will see the programs you installed

XPM Start menu (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/xpmstartmenu NULL.jpg)

Then select the program you want under Windows XP Mode Applications and you can run your program in Windows 7. 

, ,
symantec_logo.jpg

Software: Uninstalling Symantec (Norton) Anti-Virus Software when you DON’T know the uninstaller password

Aug 10th

Posted by anovelo in Software

No comments

symantec_logo (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/symantec_logo NULL.jpg)      A regular issue I come across is people who put passwords on their installed programs and then forget what the password is.  One of the common ones I find involves Symantec (or Norton) Anti-Virus Clients especially when using the Corporate Edition Clients.  If you don’t know or forget the password, then the client is not able to uninstall or remove.

     The A/V client uninstallation password for Symantec by default is “Symantec” if the software is setup to use a password but the not password itself is not changed.  Thus, the first thing to try in order to successfully uninstall a Symantec A/V Client is by trying the default password “Symantec” for the uninstalling clients.

In the cases where the default client uninstall password does not work, the following hack will enable you to remove Symantec Antivirus without using a password:

  1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
  2. Navigate to the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\INTEL\LANDesk\VirusProtect6\CurrentVersion\Administrator Only\Security\

  3. Change the value for useVPuninstallpassword key from 1 to 0.
  4. Exit Registry Editor and now you can uninstall Symantec Antivirus Client.

I have used this trick on Symantec (and Norton) Anti-Virus client versions 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

, , ,
windows_7.jpg

Software: TechNet Download – Windows 7 you can get all versions on 1 download

Aug 10th

Posted by anovelo in Microsoft

No comments

   windows_7 (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/windows_7 NULL.jpg)   I have been asked by a few others who also have TechNet that they were expecting a single download for all the Windows 7 versions.  The question as asked “ If Microsoft is selling the Retail DVD of all versions on 1 DVD, why is it split up on TechNet to a download per version? Is it possible to make it an All-In-One again?”

     well here is the answer:

If you Open the ISO and browse to the Sources folder and remove ei.cfg and then burn the ISO. That will allow you to choose the version you want installed.

, , ,
windows7_icon.jpg

Software: One Big change in Windows 7 – Where the start menu list folders are located

Aug 8th

Posted by anovelo in How-To

No comments

windows7_icon (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/windows7_icon1 NULL.jpg)     I don’t have many OCD moments while using a computer but the way my start menu is organized can be considered one of those moments.  I prefer all programs listed in my start menu organized and in there own individual folders so that everything is easier to find.  There have always been a couple of folders in all versions of Windows that control what your start menu looks like.

   To me an organized start menu should look like this (where everything is easy to find)

start menu organize (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/startmenuorganize NULL.jpg)

not like this Where files and folders are all mixed together and nothing has any order.

messy start menu (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/messystartmenu NULL.jpg)

     In the past versions of Windows if you went to C:\Documents and Settings\(your name)\start menu, you would see all the items list just under your sign on in the start menu

     If you went to c:\Documents and settings\All Users\Start Menu then you would see all the files and folders that everyone with a user ID for the pc would see.  The 2 locations were easy to access and to get files to move from one side to the other.  Since it wasn’t difficult to access the folders from the My Computer Icon.

     However now Microsoft has changed the locations of these files.  In Windows 7 if you want to see the folder that holds the start menu items for all users, you need to go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs.  If you want to see the start menu items that are only for you, its located at C:\Users\Alex\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. To get to these file locations the easiest thing to do in Windows 7 is to go to Start –> Run and in the Run box type the address, since those file locations are hidden from normal view or

start menu properties access right click (http://www NULL.rj-diamond NULL.com/alex/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/startmenupropertiesaccessrightclick NULL.jpg)

you can right click on the start menu (exactly at the bottom where it will say either all programs or back) and select Open to get to your folder or open all users to get to the shared start menu folder.

,
« First...1020262728293040...Last »