Microsoft Talk

ShareYourScore.com is a site where you can upload your Windows Vista Experience Index assessment and share it with the world. Check out other top scores, uploaded by other people.

This can be a great way to troubleshoot if you compare others scores who could be using the same hardware as you.

By the way whats Windows Experience Index? Check it out from the control panel. Use the cools search feature of Vista. Just type in performance. The score, which is calcualted when you instal Vista the first time, can be seen.

Just upload your score and grab the html code to display on your site.

Grab your score and share it!

ShareYourScore.com

Vista keeps track of licensing details using a service called Software Licensing. Slmgr.vbs, a VBScript file included with all Vista editions, allows you to query the current installation and see details about your installation and your licensing status. To run the script, open a Command Prompt window (click Start, type cmd in the Start Search box, and press Enter).

Two things that you can do with this script.

1. Sort out product IDs.

If you have two or more computers running the same edition of Vista, you might lose track of which product key you used for each machine. The solution? Open a Command Prompt window on each machine and type the command slmgr -dli. The -dli switch stands for “display license information” and shows the last five characters of your license ID. Assuming you have the product keys written down, you can use these details to see which key is in use on each machine.

If you want more information, use the -dlv (”display license, verbose”) switch instead.

If you choose not to enter a product ID when you install Windows Vista, the Setup program automatically supplies a default key. In that case, the information displayed by slmgr -dli or slmgr -dlv will be one of the following default keys, which cannot be activated:

• Business - MRW4W
• BusinessN - QXX44
• HomeBasic - 3V4VD
• HomeBasicN - GFJBT
• HomePremium - 76PKF
• Ultimate - RP8F7

Lost your product key? Assuming you’re running a 32-bit Vista version, you can find it using the latest beta edition of Keyfinder, from Magical Jellybean Software. Here’s a screen clip showing the results when running Keyfinder v2.0 Beta 2-1/2. That’s the default key for Windows Vista Ultimate, taken from a system where I installed Vista Ultimate without entering a product key during Setup.

2. Check your activation status.

From a command prompt, type slmgr -xpr and press Enter to see whether your installation is activated or not. The details appear in a separate information box, not in the Command Prompt window. The information you see will tell you whether your copy is activated. If it’s not, you’ll see the deadline when you’re required to activate.

Until next tip…

1. Windows Vista Step by Step Guides - The guides provide a good starting point for deployment and many of the other new features in Vista like User Account Control and Bitlocker Drive Encryption.
2. Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007 - BDD 2007 is the best practice tool for deploying Vista and Office 2007.
3. Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 (ACT 5.0) - Lifecycle Management Tool to help manage your application portfolio.
4. Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Tool - Solution Accelerator that checks machines on your network to see which ones are capable of running Vista.
5. Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) - Tool that allows IT Pro’s to centrally manage the volume activation process.
6. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor - Tool you can run on your Windows XP machine that will let you know if it will run Vista and and potential hardware or driver issues.
7. Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) - If you are deploying Vista then the WAIK is probably one of the most important tools.
8. Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Later - Designed to be used with the volume activation tool.
9. Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK 7) - Tool to help with deploying web solutions
10. The Definitive Guide to Deploying Vista - Thanks to my Canadian Colleagues there are a couple MVP’s in Canada that are releasing an e-book on this topic 1 chapter at a time.  So far 3 chapters have been released and it makes for good guidance on the topic.  And the fact it comes from our MVP community it’s real world information.

Enough resources to get you started eh?

It was Vista all the way. I have covered 3 Vista Series.

1. Getting Started with Vista Series

2. Behind the Curtains with Vista Series

3. Vista Enhancements Series

Coming up next week. User tips and tricks.

Every Friday, weekly round up.

Every Thursday will be Microsoft News speedlinks.

Your suggestions, always welcome.

Over the weekend, enjoy reading this article on different flavours of Vista

Have a good one…

Alpesh Nakar

Windows DreamScene

Microsoft is finalizing testing of Windows DreamScene through a Technical Preview phase. The technology preview bits will be made available very soon. Stay tuned for more updates.

Your desktop background comes to life with Windows DreamScene™. When you download this Ultimate Extra, you can select a video for your desktop background the same way you select a stationary picture. You can choose one of the high-quality looping videos that we’ve included, or use a video from a company that produces content for DreamScene. You can even use your own video as a background.

For computers that do not support the Windows Aero desktop experience, this Extra still has something to offer: Windows DreamScene adds new positioning options for backgrounds, including stationary pictures.

Hold ‘Em Poker Game

This Windows Ultimate Extra adds a popular poker game to your Windows Vista™ gaming experience. Hold ‘Em sets you against the computer for no-limit poker fun. Hold ‘Em may cost you time, but your money is safe because the chips are not real.

Hold ‘Em uses Microsoft® DirectX® technology for smooth animated play and rich graphics. Users can change options to play against up to five computer players, set the opponents’ skill level, and customize the look of the card deck and playing table. After you install this Windows Ultimate Extra, Hold ‘Em will appear in the Windows Vista Games Explorer.

Grab a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate today!

This Ultimate Extra includes two tools that make it easier to use some of the security features that come with Windows Vista Ultimate:

• Windows® BitLocker™ Drive Preparation Tool - configures your hard drive so that you can use the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature of Windows Vista.
• Secure Online Key Backup - stores a backup copy of your BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System (EFS) recovery certificates in your digital locker.

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides increased security by encrypting everything on your hard drive: data, programs, and even Windows itself. When you use BitLocker, your system is more difficult to tamper with, and you are better protected if your computer is ever lost or stolen. BitLocker does not replace the need to use good passwords and other security features, but it does make it much harder for anyone else to read the information stored on your hard drive.

Another reason to get Windows Vista Ultimate!

SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows Vista, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without additional complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another case. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

SyncToy 1.4 for Windows Vista is available as a free download from the Microsoft Download Center. The easy to use, customizable application helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers.

Features include:

• The ability to type in a UNC path;
• Support for longer folder pair names and ability to widen the left pane to see those longer names;
• The ability to support the maximum length for folder paths, and documentation was added to the help file about how to set up a share to be able to sync deep folder pairs;
• Better handling of the difference in precision between NTFS and FAT timestamps;
• More discoverable link to the help file for information on how to schedule SyncToy using the Windows XP Task Scheduler;
• Support for 800×600 screen resolution;
• Added a warning for users if the selected action will take some time to complete;
• Added brief explanations of the actions in the user interface;
• Improved behavior when choosing folders to include or exclude when there are large numbers of folders involved;
• Improved support for accessibility modes.

Download

If you are using a Tablet PC, WOW! You just can’t miss out on these programs that will enhance your experience using a Tablet PC.

Media Transfer
Copy or stream media files from your home computer to your Tablet PC, so that you can enjoy your favorite music, videos, or pictures wherever you go.

Ink Crossword
Solve crosswords on your Tablet PC using your tablet pen. Twelve puzzles come with Ink Crossword. You can also download a free daily puzzle and purchase more puzzle packs online.

Equation Writer
Easily add mathematical expressions to your papers. Handwrite a math equation, and then convert it into a neatly typewritten image to paste into a report or a presentation.

Ink Flash Cards
Create flash cards to help you learn facts or study for an exam. Handwrite a question on the front of a card and put an answer on the back. Draw, insert graphics, and add text, too.

Get the Microsoft Experience Pack for Windows Vista

Microsoft Ink Desktop for Windows Vista
Take notes and refer back to them at anytime using Ink Desktop on a Tablet PC. Get it here

-Alpesh Nakar

Hmm, what are Gadgets? Where in Vista have you seen or heard about it?

Gadgets are easy-to-use mini programs that give you information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools. Windows Sidebar helps you to organize your gadgets.

Windows Sidebar is a pane on the side of the Microsoft Windows Vista desktop where you can keep your gadgets organized and always available. Windows Sidebar makes great use of the space on widescreen monitors and also works smoothly on standard displays.

You can easily customize Windows Sidebar to suit your preferred location—always on top or resting below maximized windows. If you don’t want to keep your gadgets docked on the Windows Sidebar, you can simply move them off, hide the sidebar, and place them anywhere on your desktop.

Windows SideShow is a new technology in Windows Vista that supports a secondary screen on your mobile PC. With this additional display you can view important information whether your laptop is on, off, or in sleep mode.

Windows SideShow uses gadgets, convenient mini programs, to extend information from your computer to other devices. Gadgets can run on a Windows SideShow–compatible device and update that device with information from your computer. Using a gadget, you can view information from your computer regardless of whether your mobile PC is on, off, or in the sleep power state—which can save you both time and battery life.

Windows SideShow–compatible devices can take many forms. Hardware manufacturers are already including secondary displays in their designs for mobile PCs and devices such as keyboards, mobile phones, and remote controls. The following are a few examples:

• Integrated devices on computers. If your mobile PC has an integrated Windows SideShow–compatible device, you can view your Windows Mail inbox without so much as opening the lid or turning on the computer so you can quickly access your recent e-mail messages virtually whenever and wherever you want.

• Mobile phones. With Windows SideShow, you can configure a compatible mobile phone to show you your contacts and calendar, the latest updates from your favorite websites, your favorite pictures, and other information.

• Media remote control. While you watch TV with your family on Windows Media Center, you can find out what programs are showing next or schedule a recording for the next day. You can also browse through your Windows Media Center music collection from the display on the remote control without turning on the TV.

Windows Defender is available for users of Windows XP and Server 2003 and is integrated with Windows Vista.

The first time you launch Defender, the Home page is displayed; you will be greeted by the option of acquiring the latest updates if new definitions are made available since you acquired and installed Vista. At the bottom of the Home Page there is quick Status Information summarizing when the Last Scan occurred, including Scan Schedule, Real-time Protection and Signature version, a very convenient overview for the user to get up and running quickly with the utility. The interface is very straightforward; basing much of its characteristics on the browser navigation, so using it should be Childs play for many. At the top of the window are familiar tools to interact with the application, these include, Scan, History, Tools and Help.

Windows Defender is not an Antivirus utility though, it is for detecting Spyware, those sleek, new intelligent vulnerabilities that take advantage of ActiveX controls and automatically install themselves on your computer through pop up windows or rogue downloads.

Windows Defender takes advantage of many of the platform enhancements in Windows Vista, including improved caching technology—which allows scans to run faster—and User Account Control, which enables the software to run without administrator privileges.

Windows Defender alerts you when it detects suspicious behavior on your computer or discovers known spyware during a regularly scheduled scan. It adjusts these alerts based on the severity of the potential threat.

Windows Defender alerts you when it detects suspicious behavior.

Windows Vista introduces a new concept in adding memory to a system. Windows ReadyBoost lets users use a removable flash memory device, such as a USB thumb drive, to improve system performance without opening the box. Windows ReadyBoost can improve system performance because it can retrieve data kept on the flash memory more quickly than it can retrieve data kept on the hard disk, decreasing the time you need to wait for your PC to respond. Combined with SuperFetch technology, this can help drive impressive improvements in system responsiveness.

Windows ReadyBoost technology is reliable and provides protection of the data stored on your device. You can remove the memory device at any time without any loss of data or negative impact to the system; however, if you remove the device, your performance returns to the level you experienced without the device. Additionally, data on the removable memory device is encrypted to help prevent inappropriate access to data when the device is removed.

I should be clear that while flash drives do contain memory, Windows ReadyBoost isn’t really using that memory to increase the main system RAM in your computer.  Instead, ReadyBoost uses the flash drive to store information that is being used by the memory manager.  If you are running a lot of applications on a system that has limited memory, Windows ReadyBoost will use the flash drive to create a copy of virtual memory that is not quite as fast as RAM, but a whole lot faster than going to the hard disk.  What is very cool here is that there is nothing stored on this flash disk that isn’t also on the hard disk, so if you remove the flash drive, the memory manager sees the change and automatically goes to the hard disk.  While the performance gain from ReadyBoost is gone, you don’t lose any data and there is no interruption.  And because the Windows Readyboost cache on the flash drive is encrypted using AES-128, you don’t need to worry about exposing sensitive data if the flash drive is stolen or lost.  Also, the memory manager compresses the pages before writing them into the cache on the flash disk, which means you’ll get more mileage from each MB.

Grab yourself one of these USB sticks and enjoy the benefits of ReadyBoost.

Interesting Facts

• 28 months of Development

• 15 Test Releases

• 15 months of Technical Testing

• 30,000 Technical Testers

Microsoft has released Vista in two phases; one for Volume License Customers (businesses) launched November 2006 and another for consumers at the end of January.

Vista WallPapers on Flickr.

Even before I get started with this version of Windows Vista, comes the news about ‘Vienna‘. I had been contemplating blogging about this. But Sam Bowler pinged me and I thought, well why not?

Let’s go under the hood (not really, since we don’t even know if there is a hood yet ) of the next operating system from Microsoft.

Excerpts from Wikipedia

Windows “Vienna” (formerly known as Blackcomb) is Microsoft’s codename for a future version of Microsoft Windows, originally announced in February 2000, but has since been subject to major delays and rescheduling. As of February 2007, the name of the operating system used internally is undisclosed and is not used publicly by Microsoft. ^[1]“

Hold on! Now where did this news come from then? Tech evangelist Robert Scoble let the Vienna cat out of the bag over on Channel 9.

The Vienna code name marks a return to city code names. In the past, Microsoft used such code names as Cairo, Chicago, and Detroit for its Windows products. A Microsoft spokesperson noted that the company’s new code-name strategy for OS products is to use names for “the kinds of places we all want to see [and] experience and that capture the imagination. Vienna fits with this concept.” So did Blackcomb, although it’s a picturesque ski resort in British Columbia, not a major city.

Vienna is expected to be released in 2009. Now that is much closer compared to Windows Vista having been released after 5 years from Windows XP’s release.

Vista shipped about two-and-a-half years after XP SP 2, and Vista’s follow-up is expected to take about the same amount of time.

Getting Started with Windows Vista and you know own iPod, then you need to know this.

Excerpts from Apple Site:

iTunes 7.0.2 may work with Windows Vista on many typical PCs. Apple recommends, however, that customers wait to upgrade Windows until after the next release of iTunes which will be available in the next few weeks. This document will be updated as more information becomes available.

If you are upgrading to Windows Vista or have purchased a new computer with Windows Vista pre-installed, here is some information you may find helpful:

Compatibility with Windows Vista

Apple is preparing to address a number of iTunes compatibility issues in the next release of the software.

Some currently known compatibility issues with iTunes 7.0.2 and earlier versions include:

• iTunes Store purchases may not play when upgrading to Windows Vista from Windows 2000 or XP.
• iPod models with the “Enable Disk Use” option turned off may be unable to update or restore iPod software, and make changes to iPod settings.
• iPod models configured to Auto Sync and have the “Enable Disk Use” option turned off may require being ejected and reconnected to resync.
• Ejecting an iPod from the Windows System Tray using the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature may corrupt your iPod. To always safely eject an iPod, choose Eject iPod from the Controls menu within iTunes.
• Cover Flow animation may be slower than expected.
• Contacts and calendars will not sync with iPod.

Upgrading to Windows Vista

If you are upgrading from Windows XP or 2000 to Windows Vista prior to the next release of iTunes, here are a few steps that will improve your experience when syncing your iPod or playing iTunes Store purchases once upgraded to Windows Vista.

1. Deauthorize all iTunes Store accounts.
2. Enable Disk Use on all iPod models.
3. Uninstall iTunes.
4. Perform a clean install of Windows Vista (Highly recommended but not required).
5. Reinstall the latest version of iTunes.
6. Open iTunes.
7. Choose Authorize Computer from the Store menu in iTunes.

Customers who have upgraded to Windows Vista and are still experiencing issues playing iTunes Store purchases should download and run the iTunes Repair Tool for Vista after re-installing iTunes 7.0.2. Click here for more information about this tool.

Via Amit Agarwal of Digital Inspiration. Only if Everton knew about this!