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Twice now in as many months I have been the proud recipient of a BSOD on XP. The crashes were identical to each other with only various addresses being different (modules loaded into a different location and the like). They appear to have been caused by a bug in w29n51.sys; the crashes are of the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (a) variety. w29n51.sys is the "Intel® Wireless LAN Driver". Admittedly, I'm running a version that is likely not the latest. But it is interesting that googling the relevant stack entries (w29n51+0x1291, w29n51+0xa6af) turns up no hits. Also of interest is that the driver file is larger than 3 MB - more than 3 times the size of the next largest driver file in %systemroot%\system32\drivers... Strings does show a large number of verbose log-type messages that one can presumably cause to be logged via some configuration setting, as well as "tabular" data.
Of course, it is also disturbing that at the time of these crashes, the wireless hardware was disabled on this laptop... 
Written by «/\/\Ø|ö±ò\/»®© on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and bsod and w29n51.sys and wireless.
No problems.
Unlike the service packs for Windows XP, Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an AUTOMATIC install. That means if you have Windows Update set to perform updates automatically, SP1 will be installed whether you choose it or not. That almost happened to me today, but I was able to delay it until I could do a disk-image backup. See a previous post "
RAID Backup" about that process.
Then I allowed the update to proceed. This computer is a medium-high-end system with dual 2.7 GHz processors, RAID 1 SATA disks, 4 Gb of memory, and Vista Ultimate 64-bit. The update took 27 minutes, from start until I was logged on again. It rebooted once during the install.
I have so far discovered no problems at all. I've tried lots of applications, including IE, Word, WordPerfect, Windows Media Center, anti-virus, graphics editors, and many more. SP1 has been running for only a few hours, but so far so good.
Here are some possible improvements:
- Microsoft says it's a little faster, and it does seem a little more lively, though this computer was pretty quick before, and
- Before the update, memory usage tended to build up throughout the day until it reached 55 or 60%. Now it seems to sit at about 35%, going up or down slightly as applications are opened and closed.
That's all I have noticed, and those are just perceptions, not measurements. Here are some annoying Vista "features" that have NOT improved:
- The select zone that extends all the way across the main window of Windows Explorer instead of being limited to the file name,
- Windows Calendar reminders still don't work if Windows Calendar is closed, even though I have selected the option that should make reminders work,
- Windows Task Manager still asks for permission to continue, when I ask it to display all running processes, even though I'm logged on as Administrator, and
- All of the other Vista annoyances.
After the update was completed, a popup asked whether or not I would like to contribute to the "Windows Customer Experience." This was a click YES or NO, with a "read more" link. I clicked on "read more" and was taken to a very obtuse page about personal information and Microsoft's use thereof; that page had nothing to say about Windows Customer Experience. I opted out, of course. Why contribute when they won't even tell us what it's about?
Nevertheless, bottom line, SP1 works fine here, or at least as well as Vista worked before. I'll install it on another computer without a qualm. On the other hand, if I were managing an enterprise network I'd do a lot more investigation before installing.
Written by Don on February 21st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Contributors and sp1 and vista.
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More commentary on the WGA announcement today.
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Commentary on the list of broken apps after SP1.
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Microsoft is making images for Vista available with SP1 already included, which will be useful since there is no easy way to ’slip-stream’ it as we previously have with XP.
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Though it’s important to know about the programs that aren’t working, they won’t affect the installed base to any measurable degree. The press will, however, try to blow it into something bigger than it is, as ZDnet does in this article.
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Can one even measure if Vista is better or worse than another OS based on usability?
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The latest Vista 32/64 bit High Definition Audio Codec drivers.
Post from: ITsVISTA
ITsVISTA Web Links: February 21st
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Written by Joe on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Audio and Compatibility and Drivers, and Image and Media and News and PR and Performance and Slip-Stream and WGA and sp1.
Microsoft has announced that it will start on a new path, one in which Windows Vista, Vista Service Pack 1, Windows 7 as well as Windows Server 2008, and in fact all current and future versions of the Windows client and server opperating systems will embrace open source solutions. The move comes as the company has geared both its high-volume products and business practices toward interoperability.
In this context, the Redmond company indicated that it would launch the “Open Source Interoperability Initiative to promote and enable more interoperability between commercial and community-based open source technologies and Microsoft products, this initiative will provide resources, facilities and events, including labs, plug fests, technical content and opportunities for ongoing cooperative development,” Microsoft said. (more…)
Tags:
bridge windows,
case in point,
colinux,
Linux,
Microsoft,
open source technologies,
Operating system,
start menu,
ubuntu,
Windows,
windows vista,
windows xp
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Written by Jason on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Linux and Windows Vista and Windows XP and bridge windows and case in point and colinux and computer and microsoft and open source technologies and operating system and start menu and ubuntu and windows.
It is really frustrating when you want to download something from MegaUpload, you will get the limited download slots message.
MegaUpload will ask you to download Megaupload Toolbar to continue download.
Well, now you can still download without having MegaUpload Toolbar installed yes, with this little tool, MegaUpload Country Blocked Killer.
MegaUpload Country Blocked Killer will bypass the country download slots check and you will get a shot to download your file.
This tool is in Spanish, but you can get the menu’s important notes/instructions translated to English by using tools like Google Language Tools. Anyway, I’ve got that covered for you. (more…)
Tags:
Browser,
Bypass,
configuration,
download,
Firefox,
google,
google language tools,
Internet,
internet explorer,
Limit,
megaupload,
slots
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Written by Jason on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Browser and Bypass and Firefox and Internet and Internet Explorer and Limit and configuration and download and google and google language tools and megaupload and slots.
Microsoft today gave more details about how various Vista activation exploits will be handled by the soon to be released SP1, and beyond. Their Windows Genuine Advantage blog gives some of the details on what will happen to machines running an exploit, and reveals that not only will SP1 be looking for these exploits, but a soon to come Windows Update as well. The notice you may get from this update borders on humorous.
Once SP1 is installed, it will disable the OEM BIOS and Grace Timer exploits. Those that had the Grace Timer exploit installed will immediately be prompted to activate their copy of Vista. Those with the OEM BIOS exploit may not see the prompt for up to 15 days, due to the way normal OEM activation works. In either case, once prompted to activate, users will have a 15 second delay in login while waiting for an ‘activate later’ option to appear, and will have notifications every hour, as well as having their desktop turned black every hour (you can change it, but in an hour it will change back). This is obviously better than the pre-SP1 behavior which basically throws you out of Vista.
Later this month, a Windows Update will be released that scans for the exploit, and upon its discovery notifies the user, as a way of ‘protecting’ them from software piracy. Here’s the message those with the exploit will receive:
Windows has found software that circumvents Windows activation and interferes with it’s normal operation. The presence of this software may indicate your copy of Windows is counterfeit.
After repair, your copy of Windows must be activated.
If you do not repair-Windows, Windows might disable the software and you may need to activate this copy of Windows.
Where to start on picking this language apart! First, it would appear Windows ‘normal operation’ is to make sure it’s been paid for, which of course is what most users are concerned about, and is always the first reason to upgrade to a new OS. Of course possibly being counterfeit means it’s broken and is in need of repair. The update can’t repair it though, it simply points to instructions on line on how to do that. Of course once you repair it, restoring it to it’s normal operation, you must activate it. You have the choice not to repair your copy of Vista, but if you don’t, it’s going to repair itself anyway. Nice how they give you a choice without really giving you a choice. Also nice how it’s ‘Windows’ that might disable the software, and not Microsoft. It’s almost like Microsoft is saying “Hey, if it were up to us, we’d let you keep using it, but that Windows, it’s got a mind of it’s own!”.
So, in the end, if you really want to continue using an exploited version of Vista, don’t install SP1, and be very careful about which updates you install. Down the road, it sounds like Windows Updates will be how exploits are handled. Future updates will not only immediately detect exploits, it will remove (or ‘repair’) them as well. Running Vista illegally is getting more difficult, will it result in increased sales, or just decreased use of Vista?
Post from: ITsVISTA
Running a Hacked Vista? Microsoft Wants to ‘Help’ You…
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Written by Joe on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on General and HACK and Sales and Updates and exploit and sp1.
Today Windows Live SkyDrive leaves the "Beta" tag behind - introducing 5GB of storage for its users and becoming available in 35 new countries and regions. Read the Windows Live SkyDrive launch announcement from their team blog!
On top of being available to users in the United States, United Kingdom, and India, Windows Live SkyDrive is now available in the following 35 countries and regions:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Finland, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey.
With 5GB of storage, you can store quite a bit of your photos, music, Office documents and more. Did I mention that the 5GB of storage is also free?
For those who have been beta testing Windows Live SkyDrive - with today's launch you can expect to see improvements with the backend that help improve performance on top of the increase to 5GB of storage from 1GB previously.
Here on the Windows Experience Blog, I use Windows Live SkyDrive to host the OPML files for my Microsoft Team Blogs page. Yes, the page may be a little out of date but a big update is coming very soon with a few more categories. You can download the OPML files and add them to your RSS feed reader directly from Windows Live SkyDrive. We also have a Public Folder setup on Windows Live SkyDrive for the Windows Vista Team Blog too.
You can head on over to skydrive.live.com and login with your Windows Live ID to use Windows Live SkyDrive today.
Written by Brandon LeBlanc on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Announcement and Featured News and Online Storage and Windows Live and Windows Live SkyDrive and launch.
Today Windows Live SkyDrive leaves the "Beta" tag behind - introducing 5GB of storage for its users and becoming available in 35 new countries and regions. Read the Windows Live SkyDrive launch announcement from their team blog ! On top of being available Read More......(
read more)
Written by Windows Vista Team Blog on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Announcement and Featured News and Online Storage and Windows Live and Windows Live SkyDrive and launch.
In the 'Tools' menu of any Explorer window there is a 'Folder Options' item. This opens a dialog box that enables us to change the behaviour and the look of Explorer windows. This series of articles explore these various settings. The first part will deal with the 'General' tab.
Note: This article refers to Windows Explorer, the in-built file manager program, not to Internet Explorer, the web browser.
General Settings
The 'General' page has three settings, and a 'Restore Defaults' button that you can press to return to Windows' original settings.
Tasks
The first setting, 'Tasks', can be used to either show or hide the left hand pane in Explorer windows. The default setting - 'Show common tasks in folders' -will make Explorer windows look like this:
Selecting 'Use Windows classic folders' will make the windows look like this:
Browse folders
This setting can be used to change the way that Explorer responds to a double-click on a folder. If you have 'Open each folder in the same window' set, when you double click on a folder icon the current Explorer window will show the contents of that folder. This is the default setting for more recent versions of Windows; older versions defaulted to the other setting - 'Open each folder in its own window'. If this is selected then a double click on a folder will result in a new window opening up showing the contents of that folder. All fairly self explanatory.
Click items as follows
You can change the way that Windows responds to clicks on icons with this setting. The default is 'Double-click to open an item (single-click to select)'; however, you can make Windows behave like a web browser, that is, it will open a file when you click on it once. To do this select 'Single-click to open an item (point to select)'. This has two sub-settings, which change the way that the icons appear. They will look like the following image all the time if the 'Underline icon titles consistent with my browser' option is elected, or only when you hover the mouse pointer over them if the 'Underline icon titles only when I point at them' option is selected.
I recommend that you leave this setting as default.
The
next article will look at the first collection of the settings on the 'View' tab.
Written by Stepterix on February 21st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Contributors.
XP Antivirus Protection (XP Antivirus 2008) Descriptions:
XP Antivirus Protection, or XPAntivirus Protection (also know as XP Antivirus 2008) is a counterfeit anti-spyware / anti-malware software. XP Antivirus Protection usually come up after you installed a video codec that come with Trojan, malware and virus.
It is very important to remove all the components of of the XP Antivirus Protection and all the malware and trojans that it might have come bundle with (such as zlob.trojan, trojan.vundo and Trojan.Downloader). To effectively remove XP Antivirus Protection, we have created a manual removal instructions which is easy to understand.
Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility
Manual XP Antivirus Protection Removal Instructions:
Unregister XP Antivirus Protection DLL Files:
(Learn how to do this)
shlwapi.dll
wininet.dll
Stop XP Antivirus Protection Processes:
(Learn how to do this)
XPAntivirus.exe
XPAntivirusUpdate.exe
Find and Delete these XP Antivirus Protection:
(Learn how to do this)
XPAntivirus.exe
XPAntivirusUpdate.exe
shlwapi.dll
wininet.dll
XP Antivirus 2008.lnk
Uninstall XP Antivirus 2008.lnk
XP antivirus
XPAntivirus.lnk
Uninstall XPAntivirus.lnk
XPAntivirus on the Web.lnk
XPAntivirus.url
Remove XP Antivirus Protection Registry Values:
(Learn how to do this)
HKEY_USERS\Software\XP antivirus
Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility
Written by Karen on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
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