I hope you find some humor in this list.

I am by no means saying you shouldn’t upgrade to Windows Vista, but rather pointing out issues that can occur during an upgrade along with some other humerous points. Enjoy!

10. Because you want to upgrade your hardware

9. So your already purchased applications wont work

8. Because you want to have the latest and supposedly greatest

7. Because you just love to be a BETA tester

6. To take advantage of all the annoying security features

5. Because you just want to spend the weekend frustrated after the install fails

4. Because you never heard the old saying “If it isn’t broke don’t try and fix it”

3. So you can see how many new ways hackers can invade your system until Microsoft applies security updates

2. Because you just want to stimulate the economy

1. Last but not least….Because you just love headaches
 

Microsoft has added a new feature to the Windows arsenal. The new utility is the Recovery environment utility. This new utility has been added to aid a user in repair of the Windows Vista OS.

This new utility is actually booted from the Vista DVD and has a few new utilities. Included in this new utility are the functions below.

BCDMD
Repairs the MBR, partition table, or boot sector.

ChkDsk
Runs ChkDsk in repair mode.

File Repair
Replaces the corrupt system file with a backup copy.

BootCfg
Reconstructs the BCD.

System Restore
Rolls back the system state by using System Restore.

ACLs fix
Sets the ACLs of the specified file to a default value.

Registry rollback
Replaces the corrupt registry hives with a backup copy.

Change Crash on Audit Failure setting
Disables Windows auditing. Only an administrator can log on to Windows.

Memory Diagnostics
Runs the Windows Memory Diagnostics tool.

You might notice the new Memory diagnostics utility. This utility not only tests RAM but cache memory as well. This can be very handy when experiencing memory errors. Its a great diagnostics utility.

The easily accessible registry rollback utility….. I am sure will be used by many users knowing how the registry can become corrupted.

If you ever have experienced an issue that could not be resolved through normal or safe mode you may want to look into the Recovery Environment utilities as it isn’t necessary to boot to Windows to use this utility. I hope it proves to be as helpful in troubleshooting and repair as I think it will be.

If you would like to review more deatiled information on this utility use the link below.
Click Here

If you have ever had difficulties in rolling out a new operating system then Vista will be no different.Your organization may opt to wait for roll out.

Windows Vista will be even more complicated to roll out. Of course any rollout will be easier by implementing group
policies for a more centralized control of how users interact with Windows Vista.

First you as an organization will need to decide which version is right for your infrastructure as some features are not available in some of the versions. Personally if you were to ask me I vote for Utlimate.

Most organizations I have spoke with seem to be set on waiting for rollout until service pack one is completed for Windows Vista. This will make it easier as I am sure they will add more features to the operating system.

One thing is a must as an organization….That is planning. When considering roll out for Windows vista this is one thing you cannot do enough of. There are many new security features embedded in Vista that will make this process more complicated than ever.

Be sure to stay on top of any new developments or changes to Vista by subscribing to RSS feeds for the Vista product. If you have a subscription to Microsoft technet you might find implementation and configuration easier.

Good luck and god bless with your implementation.

I have completed the new Microsoft Windows Vista course 5118A just this week. In review of my new training on Vista Microsoft has a new and very annoying utility internal to the operating system.

The new utilitiy is the UAC or user account control. If you have recently purchased Windows vista you know just how annoying it can be.

The utility was designed to prevent malicious software from invading your computer and to “protect users from themselves”.

Even logged in as an administrator this utility is still active and still annoying as it monitors even administrative account activity. You can turn this feature off in the accounts control panel, but of course Microsoft does not recommend it.

I know you will be just as frustrated with it as I have been, but it does add an extra security feature while monitoring installation and removal of software. As we know malicious programs can install in the background while browsing the Internet or opening email.

The UAC utility as well monitors the registry for changes and notifies if a program or user attempts to alter it and then prompts for permission.

When looking at it from a security point of view this utility can be a very useful one, but when looking at it from a productivity stand point you will have a different view of this utility.

The other day I was approached by a friend asking if I could upgrade some hardeware on one of his computers. Of course I told him it may be possible.

My friend stated he only needed it for internet and that it would not be running any applications other than Windows which was already installed and configured.

After accepting the hardware to go over there was something I had not seen in quite a while. It was a 75mhz Cyrix chip with 72 pin memory. Wow! I couldnt believe it. It’s like a paleontologist coming across a great find.

Well after the initial shock wore off I contacted my friend again and said I can do some upgrades but I will not make any guarantees as to how or even if it would do what they were wanting it to do and he agreed that was ok.

Well the upgrades worked for what they wanted it for. Just to realize…..what they spent on upgrades (in the range of $200) could have been put torwards a new computer with better functionality.

Get rid of that old hardware.

This week I purchased a new laptop from one of the major manufacturers. Since I was using previous components such as an air card to connect wirelessly to Internet from anywhere I assumed due to the configuration of my new laptop that I would have no difficulties in upgrading.

Once my new laptop was received I notice that the air card would not fit as the pcmicia slot was not a standard slot but rather a proprietary slot designed by the manufacturer.

I contacted the manufacturer and of course I was told I could buy a new air card to use with the laptop for $199.00. You can imagine my outrage. I stated that they should note on their purchase page that it was not a standard slot so future customers would not find themselves in this same situation.

Of course it is difficult to get anywhere with someone who does not speak english very well so I doubt they will make these changes.

I metioned to the support personel that there used to be a few companies who started to employ this tactic so customers had to buy their proprietary equipment. Those being Packard Bell, Acer and the original Hewlett Packard company. We all know what happened to their market share.

Bottom line when purchasing a new laptop computer you may want to chat or speak with their sales personnel before completing your sale.

Want to watch your DVD’s on your zune?

I got a zune for christmas this past year and have just now got around to messing with it. It’s a pretty cool little gadget. I got all my mp3s onto the zune rather easily but getting movies from my DVD’s was not easy at all.

I couldn’t figure out how to get my DVD movies on the zune at all. So I searched google thoroughly and downloaded several different pieces of software before finding one that made it easy.

DVD to zune by dvdXsoft won hands down. It was the only dvd to zune converter that was easy to use and worked without any problems. If you want to save your time instead of downloading several other titles that will probably disappoint you as they did me then simply take my advice and download the free trial version of DVD to zune now.

This program has the best image and sound quality when converting to watch on the zune and I have tried at least 7 different ones extensively. Save yourself some frustration and

Download a free trial version of DVD to zune

Virus protection is a must in todays computing environment. Many people who own virus protection software make mistakes that can allow an infection. Here are a few things to remember when purchasing or configuring virus software.

1. Insure your virus software has complete functionality such as script blocking, Internet worm protection and is compatible with the instant messenger service you currently use.

2. Always insure that your virus protection is configured to receive automatic updates. These updates include virus signatures which allow the program to search for the latest viruses. With out these updates your virus software will not recognize new viruses.

3. A simple way to prevent viruses from obtaining access to your system is to update any Microsoft products that you have installed. Windows and office products are commonly used as ways of entry. Microsoft frequently publishes security updates to prevent these types of entry. These updates can be obtained by visiting www.microsoft.com and using either the Office or Windows update option.

4. Another entry point for viruses is sometimes through Spy ware or Ad ware software. Most virus scanners have implemented Spy ware scanning capabilities, but not all. Be sure your computer is protected against these types of entry.

Note: Some viruses can hide or be backed up to the Windows restore folder in which most virus software cannot scan. Due to the compression on this folder most virus software cannot scan this folder. In these cases please review the recommended actions provided by your virus software support personnel or documents.

It is best to remember even with the best virus software and all Microsoft updates applied it is still possible for you to infected by a virus. New viruses are written constantly, and the writers are always coming up with new ways of infiltration into your system.

Several years ago I remember the buzz about creation of a RAM drive. This new idea seemed to be a sound idea. At the time the only hurdle was the fact that RAM memory was volatile (meaning without power it could not hold the information).

Over the past couple of years the volatile issue has been addressed as we know when we use usb drives to hold data. Many memory based drives now have a nonvolatile setting which will enable memory retention.

Im just curious what ever happened to this idea. We know that a RAM drive would be faster than typical magnetic drives. As well since they have no moving parts they would be more reliable.

Could you imagine if someone was to create a RAM drive. It would almost be instant data access. Think about it….as soon as you were to power on your computer the operating system would be loaded. I know I would have to purchase one if they were made available.

I guess the manufacturers can make more money by having us upgrade an older technology rather than allowing us to have access to a new technology which might make our computer as fast as we need it to be.

I hope one day someone decides to revisit the idea of a ram drive. A computer is only as fast as it’s weakest link which in this day and age seems to be hard drive access speed. Who knows….maybe a few years from now someone will create the first in a new generation of data storage devices. I hope so anyways!

These wonderful Windows protection errors occur when your computer attempts to activate or deactivate a virtual device driver or VxD. These messages indicate there is an issue with a hardware driver. This is usually an inability of the driver to load or unload. Typically the offending Vxd or driver module is noted in the error. In some cases you may not be able to identify the offending module. In this case you can use clean boot troubleshooting from the msconfig utility.

The following lists situations in which you may experience these errors:

• A real-mode driver and a protected-mode driver are in conflict

• If the registry is damaged

• If either the Win.com file or the Command.com file are infected with a virus, or if either of the files are damaged

• If a protected-mode driver is loaded from the System.ini file and the driver is already initialized

• If there is a physical input/output (I/O) address conflict or a random access memory (RAM) address conflict

• If there are incorrect (CMOS) settings for a built-in peripheral device (such as cache settings, CPU timing and hard disks)

• If the Plug and Play feature of the basic input/output system (BIOS) on the computer is not working correctly

• If the computer contains a malfunctioning cache or malfunctioning memory

• If the motherboard on the computer is not working properly

Most of the BIOS settings which can cause these types of errors should only be modified by a knowledgeable hardware technician. Changing these settings incorrectly can cause other issues with your hardware. Use your motherboard manufacturers hand book for more information on accessing your BIOS, and you should be able to alleviate this wonderful condition that has been created.

For more detailed information on trouble shooting these errors in Windows 95, 98, or Me please refer to the Microsoft knowledge base article below.

Click here

For Windows XP and 2000 you can review your errors by entering into safe mode and using the event viewer to access detailed information pertaining to your particular issue. The event viewer can be accessed by going to the control panel and selecting the administrative utilities icon. These reports should include detailed information on the module or driver causing the issue.