Clipmarks | hotdoge3's 'vista' clips

Microsoft grants XP yet another reprieve

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:39:57 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Microsoft Grants Windows XP Yet Another Reprieve

Friday, October 03, 2008 1:21 PM PDT

Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows XP on new PCs by six months, the company confirmed Friday.

Computer makers that "downgrade" machines from Windows Vista Business or Vista Ultimate to Windows XP Professional will be able to obtain media for the latter through the end of July 2009, a Microsoft spokeswoman said Friday.

The new date is a change in policy. Previously, Microsoft had planned to halt XP Professional media shipments to major computer makers after Jan. 31. 2009.

"As more customers make the move to Windows Vista, we want to make sure that they are making that transition with confidence and that it is as smooth as possible. Providing downgrade media for a few more months is part of that commitment," the spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

It's also possible that XP will be widely available long after July 31, 2009. "Downgrade rights do not expire," Microsoft's spokeswoman said Friday.

Tags: windows xp

Up date WGA for XP sp3 and a k a

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:19:57 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: you like to up date yes or no?

Clip Source: blogs.zdnet.com

Microsoft to target Windows XP Pro users with Genuine ‘nagware’ notifications

Microsoft is stepping up its war on software pirates by rolling out new Windows Genuine notification software for what it is calling its most pirated version of Windows: Windows XP Professional.

The new WGA notifications, which Microsoft will deliver via Windows Update (and which already is available for download by individuals from the Microsoft Download Center), will behave like the WGA notifications introduced with Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 back in December 2007. Specifically, users whose XP copies are deemed “non-Genuine” will see their screen backgrounds default to black and notice a translucent notice, warning them that their Windows might be counterfeit.

(Update: Microsoft officials noted that WGA for XP never did default to “reduced functionality mode,” a k a, the kill switch, which was part of Windows Vista when it first shipped.

Tags: windows xp

Vista users turning back to XP

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:26:39 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: downgrade or is it up?

Clip Source: blogs.nzherald.co.nz

Vista users turning back to XP

US performance and metrics researcher Devil Mountain Software found nearly 35 per cent of the 3000-plus PCs it examined had been downgraded from Vista to XP.

Craig Barth, Devil Mountain's chief technology officer, used data provided by users of Devil Mountain's exo.performance.network which is partnered with Infoworld, a PC Advisor publication - to come up with the figure. By collating such things as the vendor and system model number with manufacturers' catalogues, Barth was able to identify machines that were probably shipped in the last six months, a period when virtually every new PC was offered with Vista preinstalled.

It seems some people are taking advantage of Vista's downgrade rights - Vista Business and Vista Ultimate can be 'downgraded' to XP Professional; businesses that purchase Vista Enterprise can also downgrade to XP.

The site for PC Advisor has posted a guide for those looking to downgrade from Windows Vista to XP.

Tags: windows

xp-AntiSpy.org

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:56:10 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: For XP & Vista free or Donate thank you.

Clip Source: www.xp-antispy.org

xp-AntiSpy 3.97 Beta 3

Hello Everyone,

there's an update available again. I still decided to keep this version in beta state.
Many thanks for many ideas from you. I do not have the time to answer them all, but I read them all!

Following changes in reference to the beta 2 took place

New tweaks

Open the device manager via 'My Computer'
Do not offer the Windows Tour anymore
Avoid automatic links in the network neighbourhood
Do not cache thumbnails
Disable the search assistant
Disable UAC (Vista only)

Clip Source: www.xp-antispy.org

Clip Source: www.xp-antispy.org

License of the xp-AntiSpy

The xp-AntiSpy is so called Donationware. This means that you can use the software without any payment. But if you find it useful you can\r\ndonate something to the author, even if it''s a simple thank you.
Just refer to the contact form and tell me what you want to donate (it doesn''t always have to be money!)

Tags: windows

Windows XP To Windows 7 A Risky Path, Microsoft Warns

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:07:29 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: sales of Windows licenses plunged 24%, compared with the previous year.

Clip Source: www.informationweek.com

Windows XP To Windows 7 A Risky Path, Microsoft Warns

Customers that don't deploy Windows Vista are missing out on proven benefits such as better security, productivity, search, mobility, and manageability, says a Microsoft executive.

Symantec chief operating officer Enrique Salem recently told InformationWeek that only a small percentage of the security software company's large business customers have upgraded their corporate PCs to Vista.

"For the most part, we're not seeing it," said Salem, in an interview. Salem said most of Symantec's enterprise customers continue to run their systems on the older Windows XP operating system because "they're not yet comfortable with Vista."

The lukewarm embrace given Vista may be starting to impact Microsoft's bottom line. The company in April revealed that third-quarter sales of Windows licenses plunged 24%, compared with the previous year.

Programs that Don't Work with sp1 Vista

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:42:54 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: KB935796

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

Programs and Applications that Don’t Run and Don’t Work in Windows Vista SP1

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

Programs that are blocked from starting after you install Windows Vista SP1
BitDefender AV or Internet Security version 10
Fujitsu Shock Sensor version 2.1.0.0
Jiangmin KV Antivirus version 10
Jiangmin KV Antivirus version 2008
Trend Micro Internet Security version 2008
Zone Alarm Security Suite version 7.1

Programs that do not run after you install Windows Vista SP1

Iron Speed Designer version 5.0.1
Free Allegiance version 2.1

Programs that have a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1

NYT (New York Times) Reader version 1
Rising Personal Firewall version 2007
Novell ZCM Agent version 10.01

For more information, visit KB935796.

Tags: vista

Tips to Slim Down Vista

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:00:10 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

Tips to Slim Down Vista

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

%SystemDrive%\Boot

“Boot” folder stores Windows Vista boot screen for different language editions. If you’re using only a single language of Vista, such as “en-US” (for American English) or “de-DE” (for German) or another other localized langauge, the others not in use can be removed to save about 13.3 MB disk space.

To remove “Boot” folder, users also required to claim ownership and assume full control access on the directory and all its subdirectories as per instruction above.

%SystemDrive%\perflogs\System\Diagnostics

%SystemDrive%\Windows\Downloaded Installations

%SystemDrive%\ProgramData

%SystemDrive%\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloads

%SystemDrive%\Users\Public

%SystemDrive%\Windows\Web\Wallpaper

Last but not least, always use the Vista Cleaner script to remove unwanted and unneeded files in the PC, and it’s also possible to delete the hiberfil.sys of GBs in size from the system.

There are more ways to recover space and fix shrinking disk space issue.

Tags: vista

How to Uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) in Vista

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:17:53 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: best fit Firefox 3.0

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

How to Uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) in Vista

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

Fed up with Internet Explorer 8 which is unstable at best? IE8 Beta 1 may occasionally crashes or not responding when browsing websites, and users have to close the browser with request to send the error report to Microsoft. The bugs or crashes happen more frequently especially if users using third-party add-ons such as Google Toolbar. This is generally expected as this is the first beta of IE 8.

Beside, user interface of IE8 is generally similar to IE7, reducing the enticing for users who face problems when using IE8 to stay using it. If you decided to rollback and revert back to original IE7 or IE6, it’s possible to uninstall IE8 to do so.

Tags: windows

Vista OEM driver exploit fix remove

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:10:44 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3
clipper's remarks: Microsoft remove guide kb948252

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

To remove the OEM driver activation exploit

Locate the Royal.sys file in the following folder:
Drive:\Windows\System32\drivers

Note Drive represents the drive on which Windows Vista is installed.
Delete the Royal.sys file.
Determine whether the following folder exists on the system:
Drive:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE\royal_*<followed by many numbers>

If it exists, delete the royal_* folder.
Click Start button, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit in the Programs list. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
Locate the following registry subkey, and then right-click it:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\OemBiosDevice
Click Delete to delete this subkey.
Locate the following registry subkey, and then right-click it:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Genuine Advantage\WGAER_W\GenuineInfo
Click Delete to delete this subkey.
Exit Registry Editor.
Restart the computer.

Tags: vista

How to Disable and Turn Off Compressed Folder and ZIP Support in Vista

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:31:02 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

How to Disable and Turn Off Compressed Folder and ZIP Support in Vista (Including Cabinet File)

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

Beside, Windows Search Indexing and all searches initiated Search Tool will crawl and look inside the ZIP files too, causing the searching and indexing process to take longer time to complete. Beside, searching inside ZIP or compressed package may cause incomplete information to be displayed in search results, typically on “In Folder” column. (Related: Disable search indexing in Vista or turn off search indexing in XP)

If you want to use your own file compression utility, or want to get rid and fix above annoyances or problems, turn off and disable Compressed Folder and ZIP support feature in Windows Vista by using trick below.

Run Registry Editor by typing regedit in Start Search, and press Enter key. If UAC prompts for permission, click Continue

VistaNoZipCab.reg

VistaZipCab.reg

Tags: vista

Beer OS-Happy St Patricks-day

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:20:55 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: www.mydigitallife.info

Windows NT Beer
Windows NT beer could only be purchased by the truckload. This caused most people to have to go out and buy bigger refrigerators. The can looked just like Windows 3.1 Beer. Touted as an “industrial strength” beer, and suggested only for use in bars.

Windows XP Beer
Tastes like Windows 2000 beer but comes with a pretty dress. It opens sometimes without asking and if you leave a case of it open for awhile, it might explode all over your basement. Oh best of all, sometimes Windows XP Beer likes to open your front door and let people in to hang advertisements all over your house and steal your credit card number.

Windows Vista Beer
Windows Vista Beer looks a lot like the newest Mac Beer but tastes more like Windows XP Beer. Most people will probably keep drinking Windows XP Beer until their friends try Windows Vista Beer and say they like it. Many people try Windows Vista Beer, then spit it out and spend hours trying to put Windows XP Beer back into the same can.

Tags: windows

Best post computerworld to day on XP

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:58:18 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: blogs.computerworld.com

Congratulations Linux. Yesterday was the day you made Microsoft blink. Microsoft has changed its mind and has decided to keep XP Home around after all.

I'm sure that Microsoft's change in heart was in part due to efforts like InfoWorld's Save XP efforts, which put names to over 200,000 users who don't want to move to Vista. I'm even surer though that what really changed Microsoft's mind is that Linux, and not Windows, was taking over the red-hot UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) market.

No, what has really happened is that the smashing success of Asus with its Eee Xandros Linux-powered UMPC and other Linux equipped mini-notebooks like Everex's gOS-powered UMPCs caught Microsoft completely by surprise. It turned out people wanted inexpensive, hard-working Linux laptops rather than overpriced, underpowered Vista PCs.

Tags: windows xp

Firefox 3.0 memory v IE 7 memory the Test

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:22:52 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: blogs.zdnet.com

This morning I came across an article on Neosmart claiming that Firefox 3.0 is, despite the best attempts of the Mozilla dev team, still a massive memory hog.

I took two identical VMware virtual PCs, both running Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit. The systems were given a meager 512Mb of RAM. I then took both browsers for a good two hour browsing session, visiting some of the Internet’s best “hot sheets” websites and loading up 30 tabs for each browser (remember, IE7 and Firefox 3.0 are running in different virtual machines).

Internet Explorer 7

Memory usage: 319,260K
Total system: 436MB

Firefox 3.0 RC1

Memory usage: 159,168K

Total system: 376MB

Seems pretty clear to me which browser is the winner - and it isn’t Internet Explorer 7! Not only did IE7 consume more system resources, it made the system noticeably sluggish when running with 30 tabs loaded. Firefox 3.0 on the other hand felt fast and responsive throughout.

But this test does raise some interesting questions:

Tags: windows

Vista drivers hunting

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:28:51 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

Without Vista drivers, it's 2001 all over again

Hunt for software can be frustrating, time-consuming — and fruitless

When Vista launched, Microsoft says it made available 30,000 drivers, serving 1.7 million devices. Every month the company is adding between 1,500 and 2,000 drivers, or manufacturer links to them, at its support Web site.

But that hasn’t been the case for some of his gadgets, such as an ultra-secure flash drive and a USB bar code reader.

They don’t have the sex appeal of MP3 players, SmartPhones or digital cameras. Yet without updated drivers for Vista, some of those gadgets may not work with Vista, and it could start to feel like it’s 2001.

That’s when Microsoft’s last major Windows revision, XP, was released.

When Vista launched, Microsoft made available 30,000 drivers, serving 1.7 million devices, said Dave Wascha, the company’s director of platform partner product management.

Vista Sucks keep XP June 2010

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:58:48 GMT

clipped by: hotdoge3

Clip Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

If Vista “gets a long enough life cycle, it will not be remembered like Millennium Edition,” he said.

That life cycle is looking somewhat shorter than XP’s. Microsoft Corp. chairman Bill Gates said recently that the new version of Windows’ operating software, code-named Windows 7, will be released “sometime in the next year or so.”

In the meantime, the company is facing a class-action lawsuit in federal court over the way it advertised computers sold with XP as being capable of running Vista.

Among them, the company said earlier this month it will keep selling a version of XP for use on new, low-cost computers, such as Intel’s Classmate PC, through at least June 2010. Such computers are designed mainly for word processing, e-mail and Web surfing.

Gates: Next Windows ‘sometime’ in next year
Microsoft class action suit over Vista approved
Without Vista drivers, it's 2001 all over again
XP vs. Vista: What’s your opinion?