What is Windows 7?
Since this is our first (of hopefully many) Newsletters we thought Windows 7 would be a good place to start. We aim to enlighten or even educate you on Microsoft’s newest and possible greatest Operating System.

First, I want to give you a brief background on Windows 7.

You are probably using Windows XP or Windows Vista, these are the previous version of Microsoft Windows, XP was released in October 2001 and Vista was released in January 2007. Vista was released with much fanfare to replace XP. It very quickly received a bad reputation, blamed for slowing computers down to a crawl, nobody’s software ever working, printers and scanners never installing…I could go on but you get the idea. This year Microsoft released Windows 7 to try and redeem its self.

In January I downloaded and installed the test version of Windows 7 on my laptop. I was using Windows XP before this, the laptop is a couple of years old not the most powerful but is pretty nippy for its age.
The first thing I noticed was how fast my laptop felt, I had no problems with setup and the new look was sharp and very snappy. I started installing software and everything ran smoothly with no problems, most importantly all of my games worked.
I even installed this on a 7 year old Windows XP desktop and found this computer had a new life breathed into it.

On October 22nd Microsoft released the Windows 7 to the General Public, the presales had out stripped XP and Vista put together, with good reason the test version of Windows 7 had been installed on 15 million computers.

Personally I’m very excited about Windows 7, that’s why Aaron asked me write this article, I can’t wait to start installing and showing everyone the cool new features Windows 7 brings to party.

Secondly, Microsoft came up with ‘Top 7 way to enhance your Windows 7 experience’ (thank you Mr. Paul Thurrott).

Please feel free ask questions about Windows 7, I’m interested to know of software you want to run and problems you may have come across.

Cheers

If I can get internet access I use Hijackthis, and then copy and paste the log file in a website called http://www.hijackthis.de/, allow the website to analyse the log and then I go through the list removing any unwanted programs.

If I can’t get internet access or the computer is particularly sick I will use Combofix, downloaded from here . Combfix does seem to remove most problems and fixes any strange settings on your desktop, it can take a while depending on the computer speed and how much spyware there is.

Both of this these programs are dangerous and they change registry settings and delete files, so be careful if possible backup all of your important files before you begin.

Social Network for Google Wave, a resource with how to’s video’s about google wave

Automate your installation of Windows apps in XP/Vista/Win7

This is the email I just received from TiVo…

‘We know that many of you have been patiently waiting for TiVo to arrive in New Zealand, having registered with us as early as March this year.

One of the main reasons we have not revealed our retail plan is because we understand how important it is for you to be able to download our movies and TV content through your broadband connection without it impacting your monthly download allowance.

So we’re delighted to tell you that Telecom have agreed to give everyone with a Telecom Broadband connection the freedom to download our movies and TV content through their broadband, without it impacting their monthly data allowance.

When you registered, you told us that you aren’t currently a Telecom Broadband customer. Please be aware that TiVo will be available only through Telecom when it goes on sale in November and the whole TiVo service will only be available to Telecom broadband customers.

To ensure you’re ready when TiVo goes on sale in November, why not take up Telecom’s current broadband offer of a free wireless modem plus one month’s free broadband plan charges? See here for all the details www.telecom.co.nz/broadband/offer.

Thanks again you for your interest, we’ll keep sending you all the latest information and updates on all things TiVo.’

I’ve been with Vodafone for 4 years never had any problems, why would I change to Telecom who I constantly have to deal with for my client, trying to work out what the technical support is saying in broken english…

Just finish off my rant, they are also not allowing skipping of Adverts…which is my biggest grip about NZ TV when they turn up those bloody Harvey Norman Adverts…

My client said they could not print emails in Outlook 2003.  Clicking on the print button did not bring up a dialog box, checked the settings event logs but no errors.  I asked them when this started happening and they said it worked fine until Thursday (11/06/09) and they installed Windows Updates on Wednesday night.

Remove the 4 updates that had install on Thursday and it printed emails fine in Outlook.  Installed Outlook SP3 and checked again it worked fine.
Another staff member was having the same problem, after removing IE7 update (KB969897)  it started working.  So I installed IE8 and Outlook SP3 and all updates, tried to print and nothing worked.  Even after removing the 4 updates that installed on Thursday still no joy.

Investigated further and found this website – http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general/browse_thread/thread/f98fa75a4eef71e8/7c6c735c1ae5cf16?lnk=raot&pli=1 which says to reinstall KB969897 and uninstalling Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer (MSIA) to resolved the issue.

Removed Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer (MSIA) on IE8 machine and it started printing, installed the update on IE8 machine and the printing still worked.
Did they same for the IE7 machines and everything started working.

Sorry if you just wanted the answer, but thought I would write a story to hopefully save people the hassle of trouble shooting, or at least people can find out if they have the same problem.

Normally wouldn’t post about this, but after a 35 minute wait on hold to Microsoft and them generally being unhelpful hoped this would help someone.

I have tried reinstalling reporting and looked at the error files

Yesterday found a great website with a step by step on how to fix it, but still didn’t work – http://www.eggheadcafe.com/forumarchives/windowsserversbs/Oct2005/post24693143.asp

Any help would be appreciated.

* Update * 12/06/09

Question asked on http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs&mid=64a17ca8-9e17-4b34-86f1-e74d3736ac12

‘What version of WSUS? WSUS 3.0 SP1
If you click usage report, do you get one? Below is a Usage Report
If you then click performance report, what do you get? I’m betting either a
scrambled SQL page, or timeout? ‘ Even more below is a Performance Report

Over the last few years I have been keeping my ears and eyes open for information on what’s out there.  Comparing cost, compatibility, easy of use etc

Ultimately I have been trying to work out should I build a Media PC, buy a Xbox360/PS3, or buy a Media Extender?

My first thought was to build a Media PC.  This seems like the simplest idea but also is the most expensive.  The only thing my partner said was ‘I don’t want a huge noisy computer sat next to the TV….this means before I even start with CPU, RAM, Motherboard, HD, TV Card, PC remote control and software I have to purchase a nice media centre case.  They seem to get decent at $200+ then a nice quiet PSU $100 then add to that $100 for a HD, $150 for a 1TB.  I’ll stop now because at $450 it already up there with comparable Media Extenders.

Next on the list is a Xbox 360 or PS3, Firstly I discount PS3 because of cost $700+. 
The Xbox is perfect, it’s a Media Centre PC and a game machine.  Doesn’t require anything  extra (maybe a remote control) plays directly from my PC, plays most things and for a the basic model is only $300.  Adding extra storage is easy so that is an option, but not required as everything will be stored on my PC. 
Now the killer for me is that it only works for 6 months then you get the red ring of death or a new error which seems to be created by them fixing the red ring error.  I’ve been stung by Apple on this front, I’ve already blogged about this so I’ll leave it at that.

Now lastly a Media Centre.  Seems to be a bit lacking on the selection here, all of the Podcast I listen to are based in the US and UK.  So I get to hear about all these great products that either never come out or are too expensive for my tastes.
I was looking at the Apple TV but the cost put me off, I have a few friends who use the Abits?? Media Extender.  But again it’s cost I can’t justify spend $500 on something when I look at the Xbox360 which is $300.

Then I stumbled upon the WDTV, normal RRP is $299 but if you look around someone always has a sale and I managed to purchase it for $260.  It plays everything, all movie type, great for displaying pictures and plays music.
It’s my nature to be dubious of products that seem to good to be true because there is always a catch.  The biggest catch with this is there is no network access, it only takes external USB HDD and USB Memory Sticks.  Although even that can be worked around using a USB Ethernet adapter and downloading a new firmware to it.  I’ve left mine alone it works fine and I have a decent size ext HDD and it only takes 2 minutes to copy data to it.

I don’t want to get into a review of this product because if you Google it you can find plenty yourself.  But this little box has impressed me and I’ve talked to of my friends into buying one.

The answer to the question I asked at the beginning would be WDTV for me, but I think the next version of Xbox360 would be the ultimate Media Centre because you get a bonus games machine, I say next version because I think this version would be too frustrating.

(problems reading this email? read in at http://creativefreedom.org.nz/story.html?id=231)
Hi Lee Howard, we thought you’d like to know that the S92A has been scrapped.
The Creative Freedom Foundation are celebrating tonight after National’s announcement this afternoon that Section 92A will be scrapped, and that they will work towards finding an alternative.
Chris Keall at the NBR reports: "Prime Minister John Key has announced that the government will throw out the controversial Section 92A of the Copyright Amendment Act and start again. Section 92A has been scrapped.". This is fantastic news, and it’s great that Prime Minister John Key has taken a stand on this important issue. This draconian and naive law was originally championed by former-MP Labour’s Judith Tizard. Now we need to help make some sensible copyright law that will protects artists and well as New Zealanders. The CFF are preparing to take part in this process.
Today is a victory for New Zealanders – artists and non-artists alike. The CFF thanks everyone of you who supported this movement: we couldn’t have done it without you!
Further details at
http://creativefreedom.org.nz/story.html?id=231

‘Having a bit of trouble trying to find a cordless Skype phone, I think the one I brought for your computer is one of the last in the country.  There are a few wireless ones that use a wireless network like the one you have at home, but they are expensive compared to the phone you already have (I’ve had a look and they seem to be $400+)

I’ve found a solution on Trademe.co.nz for $79 but I’m not sure what sort of warranty I will get even though they are brand new.

The alternative is to use a headset like ClearChat Pro USB™ which is $69.81+GST.’

I’ve managed to buy a couple of phones a Philips 312 and a Logtech Cordless Skype Handset.  The Philips has disappeared from this country and seem to have come out in 2006 and the Logitech does not work on Vista.

I’m just curious if the way everyone is using Skype is though headsets or has the rest of the world decided to stop supplying New Zealand?