To reassure those who are reluctant to migrate to Vista because of compatibility issues, Microsoft opened its website on a space that brings together all the Vista drivers and lists of equipment and software compatible. Microsoft has put online in
the next few hours the Windows Vista Compatibility Center, a space on its U.S. site dedicated to the compatibility of its operating system. This is a very concrete sign that shows that the problem of compatibility of Vista with older PCs, peripherals and software market is still valid. It was largely marred the launch of the OS, and was revived with the recent release of Service Pack 1, which has brought new incompatibilities.
Windows Vista Compatibility Center is supposed to offer all the resources and information to easily migrate to Vista. In addition to essential downloads drivers, and access to practical information ( "& How to Help"), some 9 000 references
compatible products should be included. This equipment requires a special Vista driver as cameras, printers and scanners, mobile terminals, adapters, etc. But Microsoft has also integrated displays, keyboards, mice and other hard drives that do not present a compatibility problem with the OS. For the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is also a commercial site on which it is possible to buy a wide range of peripherals and software for PC.
Except that this service charges a few startup problems. The home page was first posted the following message: "Windows Vista Compatibility Center is not currently available" ( "Not available"), followed a few hours after the message: "Windows Vista Compatibility Center will be launching soon, please check back! "(It will be launched soon, thank you to return").
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Microsoft launches the service Hohm
Microsoft announced Wednesday evening, Hohm a free online service that allows individuals and businesses to better manage their electricity consumption and reduce their bills. It is still in beta version, Hohm made its debut on 24th June 2009. This application is available only for US consumers. It gives a better idea of how much energy they are consuming.
So, Microsoft Hohm really helps to conserve the energy and save money. This free online service is an analysis tool available to individuals and professionals to analyze and measure their power consumption and, second, issue advice to lower the bills. Microsoft has also set up a Web site for consumers who are interested in signing up for the beta test of Hohm. Microsoft Hohm is available at "MSHohm.ORCSWeb.com". So, US custumers can order for Microsoft Hohm by submitting their email adderss at "MSHohm.ORCSWeb.com". Microsoft will send a notification to the email address when Hohm becomes available.
With Hohm, Microsoft has just mark the PowerMeter Google breeches. The amount of electricity consumed in the house can be measured by installing thiis widget on your computer. But unlike Hohm, PowerMeter requires the installation of a transmitter box to collect the information. “Microsoft Hohm demonstrates how a combination of advanced software and Internet-based services can help people track, understand and manage their personal energy usage Microsoft also intends to market this sort of intelligent at an attractive price.
So, Microsoft Hohm really helps to conserve the energy and save money. This free online service is an analysis tool available to individuals and professionals to analyze and measure their power consumption and, second, issue advice to lower the bills. Microsoft has also set up a Web site for consumers who are interested in signing up for the beta test of Hohm. Microsoft Hohm is available at "MSHohm.ORCSWeb.com". So, US custumers can order for Microsoft Hohm by submitting their email adderss at "MSHohm.ORCSWeb.com". Microsoft will send a notification to the email address when Hohm becomes available.
With Hohm, Microsoft has just mark the PowerMeter Google breeches. The amount of electricity consumed in the house can be measured by installing thiis widget on your computer. But unlike Hohm, PowerMeter requires the installation of a transmitter box to collect the information. “Microsoft Hohm demonstrates how a combination of advanced software and Internet-based services can help people track, understand and manage their personal energy usage Microsoft also intends to market this sort of intelligent at an attractive price.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Microsoft integrates Media Center in Windows Home Server
The editor enriches its home server OS for a Power Pack 2, which includes Windows Media Center. This update also brings support for video formats like MP4. It should be available in French at the end of April. It is designed with HP in 2007, Windows Home Server, the operating system for multimedia home server from Microsoft, has never really convinced and struggling to find its place on the PC.
To restart it, the Redmond company has put online a Power Pack 2 in English. It will be available before the end of April in five other languages, including French. The installation of this expansion pack takes place via the Windows Update and the OS needs to already have the previous Power Pack on a PC with Windows Home Server.
Main novelty of the Power Pack 2, the arrival of Windows Media Center. This feature will simplify the connection and sharing files with other PCs equipped with Media Center (XP or Vista), and allow streaming MP4 files from the server to the X box 360 or to the Media Center Extender devices, as multimedia gateways. In other words, we can say that two separate products with goals that are highly complementary to each other. They will each benefit immediately once Windows Home Server ships. Windows Home Server will be able to perform its tasks, connecting all the computers in your household, creating automatic multi-PC backup and restore, deliver a comprehensive solution for centralized storage and allow for remote access.
Power Pack 2 also adds Windows Home Server many assistants to facilitate connections between devices but also its interface outside the local network. Finally, it corrects problems encountered by users when backing up files or folders on PC LAN, and it removes previous limitations on copying media files from a PC running Vista. Microsoft has also released this Word document with details of the changes introduced by this Power Pack 2.
To restart it, the Redmond company has put online a Power Pack 2 in English. It will be available before the end of April in five other languages, including French. The installation of this expansion pack takes place via the Windows Update and the OS needs to already have the previous Power Pack on a PC with Windows Home Server.
Main novelty of the Power Pack 2, the arrival of Windows Media Center. This feature will simplify the connection and sharing files with other PCs equipped with Media Center (XP or Vista), and allow streaming MP4 files from the server to the X box 360 or to the Media Center Extender devices, as multimedia gateways. In other words, we can say that two separate products with goals that are highly complementary to each other. They will each benefit immediately once Windows Home Server ships. Windows Home Server will be able to perform its tasks, connecting all the computers in your household, creating automatic multi-PC backup and restore, deliver a comprehensive solution for centralized storage and allow for remote access.
Power Pack 2 also adds Windows Home Server many assistants to facilitate connections between devices but also its interface outside the local network. Finally, it corrects problems encountered by users when backing up files or folders on PC LAN, and it removes previous limitations on copying media files from a PC running Vista. Microsoft has also released this Word document with details of the changes introduced by this Power Pack 2.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Spyware Removal
Spyware is a computer software program that hacks personal information of the users and send it to the third party. Spyware is installed on computer without the user permission. Spywares are mainly responsible for the malfunction and slow performance of the computer. There are many anti-spyware removal programs in the computer market but some of anti-spyware programs are generally used by the users. Spyware Doctor is a award winning spyware protection software from the PC Tools. It detects, removes and protects your computer from various kinds of spywares. It has some advanced features as compared to other spyware protection programs. You can download the trial version of Spyware Doctor from the link "http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/".
There are some other important spyware protection programs which are the followings :--
1. Superanti-spyware
2. Webroot Spy Sweeper
3. PC Tools Spyware Doctor
4. Sunbelt Software CounterSpy 2.0 Beta
5. Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal 1.06
6. Safer Networking Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4
7. Windows Defender
8. AVG Anti-Spyware
9. CounterSpy
Points To Remember :--
You need to update all these softwares before start the scanning process because it helps to get all the latest definitions of all the spywares. We need to remember the following points which prevent the installation of spywares :--
1. You need to make sure that never install the programs on computer which contains the spywares.
2. It is always recommended to have a pop-up blocker program that prevent the computer from spywares.
3. Never click on the unknown pop-ups and links.
4. You have to scan the computer over the specific time with updated Anti-Spyware program to remove the spywares.
Spyware Removal Instructions :--
Now, We are discussing all the steps that are involves during the Spyware removal process.
1. You need to download and install the Spyware removal software on the computer.
2. You should update the Spyware removal software before start the scanning process.
3. You should restart the computer in "Safe Mode with Networking".
4. You should scan the computer by using updated Spyware removal software.
5. You should remove all the infected files from the computer after completing the scan process.
6. You should restart the computer in "Normal Mode".
There are some other important spyware protection programs which are the followings :--
1. Superanti-spyware
2. Webroot Spy Sweeper
3. PC Tools Spyware Doctor
4. Sunbelt Software CounterSpy 2.0 Beta
5. Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal 1.06
6. Safer Networking Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4
7. Windows Defender
8. AVG Anti-Spyware
9. CounterSpy
Points To Remember :--
You need to update all these softwares before start the scanning process because it helps to get all the latest definitions of all the spywares. We need to remember the following points which prevent the installation of spywares :--
1. You need to make sure that never install the programs on computer which contains the spywares.
2. It is always recommended to have a pop-up blocker program that prevent the computer from spywares.
3. Never click on the unknown pop-ups and links.
4. You have to scan the computer over the specific time with updated Anti-Spyware program to remove the spywares.
Spyware Removal Instructions :--
Now, We are discussing all the steps that are involves during the Spyware removal process.
1. You need to download and install the Spyware removal software on the computer.
2. You should update the Spyware removal software before start the scanning process.
3. You should restart the computer in "Safe Mode with Networking".
4. You should scan the computer by using updated Spyware removal software.
5. You should remove all the infected files from the computer after completing the scan process.
6. You should restart the computer in "Normal Mode".
Friday, June 12, 2009
Turn on Automatic logon in Windows XP
In Microsoft Windows XP, We can automate the logon process by storing your password and other pertinent information in the registry database. This feature permits other users to start your computer and to use the account that you establish to automatically log on. We should not use this Windows feature if your are concerned about security because If you set a computer for automatic logon, anyone who can physically gain access to the computer can also gain access to everything that is on the computer and your password is stored in the registry in plain text.
You can use Registry Editor to add your log on information by the following steps :--
1.Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2.Locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3.Using your account name and password, double-click the DefaultUserName entry, type your user name, and then click OK.
4.Double-click the Default Password entry, type your password under the value data box, and then click OK.
If there is no DefaultPassword value, create the value then follow these steps :--
1.In Registry Editor, click Edit, click New, and then click String Value.
2.Type DefaultPassword as the value name, and then press ENTER.
3.Double-click the newly created key, and then type your password in the Value Data box.
4.Double-click the AutoAdminLogon entry, type 1 in the Value Data box, and then click OK.
If there is no AutoAdminLogon entry, create the entry then follow these steps :--
# In Registry Editor, click Edit, click New, and then click String Value.
# Type AutoAdminLogon as the value name, and then press ENTER.
# Double-click the newly created key, and then type 1 in the Value Data box.
5.Quit Registry Editor.
6.Click Start, click Restart, and then click OK.
You can also use turn on automatic logon without editing the registry in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and in Microsoft Windows XP Professional by the following steps :--
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
3. Clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" check box, and then click Apply.
4. In the Automatically Log On window, type the password in the Password box, and then retype the password in the Confirm Password box.
5. Click OK to close the Automatically Log On window, and then click OK to close the User Accounts window.
You can use Registry Editor to add your log on information by the following steps :--
1.Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2.Locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3.Using your account name and password, double-click the DefaultUserName entry, type your user name, and then click OK.
4.Double-click the Default Password entry, type your password under the value data box, and then click OK.
If there is no DefaultPassword value, create the value then follow these steps :--
1.In Registry Editor, click Edit, click New, and then click String Value.
2.Type DefaultPassword as the value name, and then press ENTER.
3.Double-click the newly created key, and then type your password in the Value Data box.
4.Double-click the AutoAdminLogon entry, type 1 in the Value Data box, and then click OK.
If there is no AutoAdminLogon entry, create the entry then follow these steps :--
# In Registry Editor, click Edit, click New, and then click String Value.
# Type AutoAdminLogon as the value name, and then press ENTER.
# Double-click the newly created key, and then type 1 in the Value Data box.
5.Quit Registry Editor.
6.Click Start, click Restart, and then click OK.
You can also use turn on automatic logon without editing the registry in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and in Microsoft Windows XP Professional by the following steps :--
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
3. Clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" check box, and then click Apply.
4. In the Automatically Log On window, type the password in the Password box, and then retype the password in the Confirm Password box.
5. Click OK to close the Automatically Log On window, and then click OK to close the User Accounts window.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Firewalls protection against the external threats
When a connection to the Internet without a firewall, it takes no more than a few minutes and the computer has a trojan or similar threats as relevant tests show. Firewalls are an absolute must to uninvited guests away from your computers. A firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It is a device or set of devices configured to permit, deny, encrypt, decrypt, or proxy all computer traffic between different security domains based upon a set of rules and other criteria.
Norton Internet Security provides comprehensive protection against the latest threats from the Internet. The program is immediately after installation in the background, optimizing the security settings and automatically protects against a variety of spy programs, viruses, worms and crime ware. It also protects the functions contained in the intelligent firewall against hackers and prevent unauthorized spying programs transmitted information.
Another round-safety tool, F-Secure Internet Security. The suite protects your PC from viruses and hacker attacks from the Internet. With the help of the integrated and excellent anti-virus software, the user is safe from viruses, e-mail. The firewall protects against attacks from the Internet. The tool also has an integrated lock time. There are some good firewall software program is available which protects your computer from external threats. Here is the list some firewall software programs:--
1. Mcafee Personal Firewall
2. Norton Personal Firewall
3. Panda Firewall
4. Comodo Firewall
5. Zone Alarm
6. PC Security Shield
7. Black Ice Defender
8. Agnitum Outpost Firewall Program
The Agnitum Outpost Firewall Program detects and blocks hacker attacks and intruders. It also offers full control of privacy, monitors network activity and those between the applications on a computer. It also prevents that Internet worms, especially in the inbox to become active. A self-protection feature ensures that the firewall direct target of an attack will. The extremely user-friendly Personal Firewall protects your PC effectively against hacker attacks, worms, trojans, spy software and other malicious code. Filtering rules to prevent or allow connections and applications that access the Internet want to be recorded and reported.
Norton Internet Security provides comprehensive protection against the latest threats from the Internet. The program is immediately after installation in the background, optimizing the security settings and automatically protects against a variety of spy programs, viruses, worms and crime ware. It also protects the functions contained in the intelligent firewall against hackers and prevent unauthorized spying programs transmitted information.
Another round-safety tool, F-Secure Internet Security. The suite protects your PC from viruses and hacker attacks from the Internet. With the help of the integrated and excellent anti-virus software, the user is safe from viruses, e-mail. The firewall protects against attacks from the Internet. The tool also has an integrated lock time. There are some good firewall software program is available which protects your computer from external threats. Here is the list some firewall software programs:--
1. Mcafee Personal Firewall
2. Norton Personal Firewall
3. Panda Firewall
4. Comodo Firewall
5. Zone Alarm
6. PC Security Shield
7. Black Ice Defender
8. Agnitum Outpost Firewall Program
The Agnitum Outpost Firewall Program detects and blocks hacker attacks and intruders. It also offers full control of privacy, monitors network activity and those between the applications on a computer. It also prevents that Internet worms, especially in the inbox to become active. A self-protection feature ensures that the firewall direct target of an attack will. The extremely user-friendly Personal Firewall protects your PC effectively against hacker attacks, worms, trojans, spy software and other malicious code. Filtering rules to prevent or allow connections and applications that access the Internet want to be recorded and reported.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Troubleshooting of configuration errors in Windows XP
We should follow these troubleshooting stpes to get rid off Configuration errors in Windows XP :--
Method 1: Diagnostic and Selection startup modes
To perform a diagnostic startup, follow these steps:--
1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Diagnostic Startup, and then click OK.
3. Restart your computer.
If the problem does not occur, use Selective startup mode to try to find the problem by turning individual services and startup programs on or off.
Method 2:-- Selective startup
Selective startup enables you to select the files and the settings that you want the computer to load when you restart the computer. Select from the following options:
1. Process System.ini File
2. Process Win.ini file
3. Load System Services
4. Load Startup Items
Method 3:-- Change individual file settings
If you know the different settings in each configuration file, you can enable or disable individual settings in the file that has the tab for that file in the System Configuration utility. To prevent individual items in a configuration file from loading when
you restart your computer, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. Click a tab: System.ini, Win.ini, Boot.ini, Services, or Startup.
3. Select or clear the available settings.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you find the problem.
Method 4:-- Manually extract a file
If you have to fix a corrupted file, extract the individual Windows file from the CAB files. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Expand File.
3. In the File to restore box, type the name of the file that you want to restore.
4. In the Restore from box, type the path of the Windows XP .cab file from which you want to restore the file. Or, click Browse From to locate the Windows XP .cab file.
Method 5:-- Return to normal startup
1. After you complete your troubleshooting and fix your configuration, return to a normal startup. Follow these steps:
2.Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
3. On the General tab, click Normal startup.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
Method 1: Diagnostic and Selection startup modes
To perform a diagnostic startup, follow these steps:--
1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Diagnostic Startup, and then click OK.
3. Restart your computer.
If the problem does not occur, use Selective startup mode to try to find the problem by turning individual services and startup programs on or off.
Method 2:-- Selective startup
Selective startup enables you to select the files and the settings that you want the computer to load when you restart the computer. Select from the following options:
1. Process System.ini File
2. Process Win.ini file
3. Load System Services
4. Load Startup Items
Method 3:-- Change individual file settings
If you know the different settings in each configuration file, you can enable or disable individual settings in the file that has the tab for that file in the System Configuration utility. To prevent individual items in a configuration file from loading when
you restart your computer, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. Click a tab: System.ini, Win.ini, Boot.ini, Services, or Startup.
3. Select or clear the available settings.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you find the problem.
Method 4:-- Manually extract a file
If you have to fix a corrupted file, extract the individual Windows file from the CAB files. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Expand File.
3. In the File to restore box, type the name of the file that you want to restore.
4. In the Restore from box, type the path of the Windows XP .cab file from which you want to restore the file. Or, click Browse From to locate the Windows XP .cab file.
Method 5:-- Return to normal startup
1. After you complete your troubleshooting and fix your configuration, return to a normal startup. Follow these steps:
2.Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
3. On the General tab, click Normal startup.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Windows XP Boot and Startup Trouleshooting
Many computer users are generally facing the booting problems in Windows XP. It is mainly caused by corrupted Windows XP operating system. In this case, computer hardware appears to power up okay but the Windows XP operating system would not boot properly. There are some basic troubleshooting steps in order to get rid off booting problems in Windows. We are providing the following troubleshooting steps in case Windows XP would not boot :--
1. Use a Windows Startup Disk:--
We need to create a Windows startup disk for this method. We can create a Windows startup disk by the following steps :--
# Double click on the "My Computer" icon on your Desktop.
# Click on the 3½ Floppy (A:) icon just enough until it becomes highlighted.
# Click on the word File, which is contained in your top tool bar area.
# This will pull down a menu for you to now click on the word Format.
# Place a check mark in the box next to Create an MS-DOS startup disk at the bottom of the screen.
# Then click the "Start" button to begin creating your Startup Disk.
# Windows will display a warning that Formatting erase all data or your disk. Click on "OK" tab to continue.
# Windows will then display a progress indicator bar denoting the status of your System Disk.
# When the status bar reaches 100% your System Startup Disk will be complete.
# Close the format complete window by clicking on OK at the bottom of the screen.
# Click on the "Close" button to close the Format 3½ Floppy (A:) window.
# You should store your Startup Disk in a safe location.
You should insert Windows startup disk into the floppy drive on the afflicted system and press [Ctrl][Alt][Delete] to reboot the computer.
2. Use Last Known Good Configuration:--
This feature will allow you to undo any changes that caused problems in the CurrentControlSet registry key, which defines hardware and driver settings.
3. Use System Restore:--
System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores all these information as restore points. System Restore allows the rolling back of system files, registry keys and installed programs etc.
4. Use Recovery Console:--
Recovery Console can be accessed from the original Windows installation CD. It is particularly useful for repairing or replacing important operating system files.
5. Fix Corrupt Boot.INI :--
We can fix corrupted Boot.ini using "bootcfg /rboot" command. We should enter the "Load Indentifier" and enter something random as this is just a label. If 'bootcfg' asks for 'OS Load Options', enter '/fastdetect'.
6. Fix a corrupt partition boot sector
7. Fix a corrupt master boot record
8. Disable automatic restart
9. Restore from a backup
10. Perform an in-place upgrade
1. Use a Windows Startup Disk:--
We need to create a Windows startup disk for this method. We can create a Windows startup disk by the following steps :--
# Double click on the "My Computer" icon on your Desktop.
# Click on the 3½ Floppy (A:) icon just enough until it becomes highlighted.
# Click on the word File, which is contained in your top tool bar area.
# This will pull down a menu for you to now click on the word Format.
# Place a check mark in the box next to Create an MS-DOS startup disk at the bottom of the screen.
# Then click the "Start" button to begin creating your Startup Disk.
# Windows will display a warning that Formatting erase all data or your disk. Click on "OK" tab to continue.
# Windows will then display a progress indicator bar denoting the status of your System Disk.
# When the status bar reaches 100% your System Startup Disk will be complete.
# Close the format complete window by clicking on OK at the bottom of the screen.
# Click on the "Close" button to close the Format 3½ Floppy (A:) window.
# You should store your Startup Disk in a safe location.
You should insert Windows startup disk into the floppy drive on the afflicted system and press [Ctrl][Alt][Delete] to reboot the computer.
2. Use Last Known Good Configuration:--
This feature will allow you to undo any changes that caused problems in the CurrentControlSet registry key, which defines hardware and driver settings.
3. Use System Restore:--
System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores all these information as restore points. System Restore allows the rolling back of system files, registry keys and installed programs etc.
4. Use Recovery Console:--
Recovery Console can be accessed from the original Windows installation CD. It is particularly useful for repairing or replacing important operating system files.
5. Fix Corrupt Boot.INI :--
We can fix corrupted Boot.ini using "bootcfg /rboot" command. We should enter the "Load Indentifier" and enter something random as this is just a label. If 'bootcfg' asks for 'OS Load Options', enter '/fastdetect'.
6. Fix a corrupt partition boot sector
7. Fix a corrupt master boot record
8. Disable automatic restart
9. Restore from a backup
10. Perform an in-place upgrade
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