The latest version of a solution accelerator initially dubbed Windows Vista hardware Assessment is now available for download. The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit is now at version 3.1 and has hit RTM stage. The latest build of the assessment and planning solution accelerator is tailored specifically to the most recent Windows client and server operating systems, namely Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 SP1/RTM, including the Hyper-V release. Version 3.1 is up for grabs straight from Microsoft, and is designed to streamline as much as possible the evaluation and planning phases of large scale software migration processes in complex IT infrastructures.
“Formerly known as Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, this new release is now packed with many new features such as: Hyper-V virtualization candidates assessment (+ improved virtual machines inventory); SQL server discovery and assessment; 64-bit installation support; and Desktop Windows Security Center assessment,” revealed Baldwin Ng, Senior Product Manager, Solution Accelerators Team.
Designed as a network-wide agent-less tool, MAP 3.1 will crawl all the servers and the desktops that are an integral part of an IT infrastructure and will provide basic guidance through the migration process. The solution accelerator will deliver an inventory of all the resources available, focusing on a variety of areas, including server, desktop and virtualization upgrade scenarios. All the scanning is performed via a network and, in this context, MAP does not have to be deployed on each machine it evaluates. The assessment takes advantage of the capabilities offered by the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), the Remote Registry Service, or the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
“Windows Vista hardware and device compatibility assessment; Office 2007 hardware compatibility assessment; Windows Server 2008 hardware and device compatibility assessment; Microsoft Application Virtualization hardware compatibility assessment; SNMP inventory reporting, [and support for] Hyper-V and SQL Server,” Baldwin Ng added.
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator 3.1 is available for download x86 or x64.
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Written by Jason on June 30th, 2008 with no comments.
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Most programs written for Windows XP also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn’t run correctly, use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility settings for the program. To change settings for a program manually, use the individual program’s Compatibility tab.
If changing the settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer’s website to see if there is an update for the program.
Do not use the Program Compatibility Wizard on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data loss or create a security risk.
Run the Program Compatibility Wizard
1. Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows.
2. Follow the instructions in the wizard.
If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the wizard, browse to the program’s setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.
To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab.
Setting Description
Compatibility mode: Runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program is designed for (or worked in) a specific previous version of Windows.
Run in 256 colors: Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors.
Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution: Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try this setting if the graphical user interface appears jagged or is rendered improperly.
Disable visual themes: Disables themes on the program. Try this setting if you notice problems with the menus or buttons on the title bar of the program.
Disable desktop composition: Turns off transparency and other advanced display features. Choose this setting if window movement appears erratic or you notice other display problems.
Disable display scaling on high DPI settings: Turns off automatic resizing of programs if large-scale font size is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the appearance of the program. For more information, see Make the text on your screen larger or smaller and Ways to improve display quality.
Privilege level: Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require administrator privileges to run properly. If you are not currently logged on as an administrator, this option is not available.
Show settings for all users: Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.
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Written by Jason on June 18th, 2008 with no comments.
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Windows Vista Service Pack 1 stand-alone packages may not bring to the table the updated SP1 Help documentation, but at the same time Microsoft is offering a much better deal to users of its latest Windows client planning to install the first service pack. One year’s worth of free Windows Vista SP1 support. This means that between March 18, 2008, and March 18, 2009, Vista users will be able to tap the Redmond company for unlimited installation and compatibility, free of charge. The move is a standard practice for Microsoft when it comes down to the Service Pack policy for all its operating systems. And in this context, it will also be made available for Windows XP SP3, once the third and last service pack for XP will be released.
All Vista users “needing technical support regarding your installation of Windows Vista SP1 - please go to the following URL and choose the bottom option that says ‘Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (All Languages).’ You have a variety of options you can choose for support - all of which will NOT cost you any support fee. I repeat: support for SP1 will NOT cost you anything - as long as you choose the correct option for support. We can only point you in the right direction in hopes of having your issue taken care of. However I am relaying as much feedback you give here to the folks internally at Microsoft regarding SP1 so your feedback is most certainly not falling on deaf ears. I will continue to relay feedback moving forward,” stated Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc.
The official support page for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (All Languages) features three options offered to end users. Microsoft is delivering E-mail Support (Response Time: 1 Business Day); Individual Chat Support (Monday – Friday 5:00 A.M. - 12:00 A.M. (midnight); Saturday 6:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.; Sunday 6:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.) as well as Phone Support (866) 234-6020, Wait Time will vary (Monday – Friday 5:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M; Saturday – Sunday 6:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.). Microsoft has emphasized the following: “No-charge: Unlimited support requests” for all Vista SP1 support options.
The Redmond company is also pointing the users to TechNet, MSDN and additional Technical Communities as alternative resources for Vista SP1 support. Windows XP SP3 is yet to be released to manufacturing by the Redmond company, but when it will be delivered I’ll make sure and provide an update with the links for free support from Microsoft.
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Written by Jason on June 15th, 2008 with no comments.
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Windows Product Activation (WPA) is Microsoft’s way of keeping you from installing a copy of Windows Vista on more than one computer. It basically marries the copy of Windows Vista you’ve purchased to the computer’s hardware it’s installed on.
The WPA Process
When you enter the product key three identifiers are generated and collected:
* Hardware ID: A unique identifier that’s generated from information gathered about the computer’s hardware.
* Product ID: A 25-character unique key supplied when you purchase Windows Vista.
* Installation ID: An identifier Windows Vista creates from the hardware ID and product ID.
During the WPA process the product and hardware IDs are sent to Microsoft and the computer is “activated”.
If you make significant hardware changes (like replacing the motherboard and graphics card at the same time) you’ll have to re-activate your copy of Windows Vista.
Note: You don’t have to activate Windows Vista during the first 30 days of use.
If you’re installing Windows Vista I highly suggest not choosing to automatically activate Windows Vista during the installation. You should wait the full 30 days to make sure all of the hardware is properly working before activating.
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Written by Jason on June 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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Microsoft has made available for download the Windows SteadyState for the 32-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. SteadyState is a Windows management tool designed for scenarios in which access to machines is completely unrestricted. The evolution of the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP, Windows SteadyState has been designed for the specific purpose of managing shared computers, safeguarding system resourced against changes made by untrusted users, and making irrelevant unwanted software installations.
“Windows SteadyState includes many new features and enhanced capabilities. Windows SteadyState is not simply a redesign of the Shared Computer Toolkit; we listened to you, our customers, to better understand how we could provide a solution that could really help you manage and maintain your shared computer environments”, Microsoft revealed.
SteadyState indeed comes with an overhauled installation and a new redesigned graphical user interface tailored on the Windows Aero in Vista. Still, the redesign does highlight the tasks and options of the tool streamlining access for the end users. At the same time, the Redmond company also simplified the settings associated with introducing restrictions to user accounts on a certain operating system and those related to handling updates.
On top of the management capabilities included in SteadyState Microsoft has also integrated the Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy mechanism. The company stressed the need to ensure that Windows machines with SteadyState have access to official downloads and the updates restricted by WGA validation. On top of this, SteadyState features Windows Disk Protection which makes all changes to the platform temporary.
“Help protect the Windows partition, which contains the Windows operating system and other programs, from being modified without administrator approval. Windows Disk Protection helps protect the Windows operating system and all files on the computer from permanent change. Any changes made by shared users when they are logged on to the computer are removed when the computer is restarted. Windows SteadyState allows you to set Windows Disk Protection to remove all changes upon restart, to remove changes at a certain date and time, or to not remove changes at all”, Microsoft added.
Windows SteadyState is available for download here.
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Another way that data theft can occur is through the installation of hardware such as removable storage devices. An attacker can install such a device on your computer with the intent of copying your data. Vista protects against this type of data theft through device installation restrictions.
You can control the installation of devices through the local computer policy (or a group policy if using Active Directory).
To locate the related policy settings:
1. Click Start and type mmc in the Search field.
2. From the list of programs, click mmc. Click Continue when prompted.
3. From the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
4. Click the Group Policy Object Editor from the list and click Add.
5. Click Finish.
6. Click OK.
Click the Local Computer Policy and navigate to the following location:
Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ System \ Device Installation \ Device Installation Restrictions.
In the details pane you will find several settings to control the installation of devices on the local computer.
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Written by Jason on June 8th, 2008 with no comments.
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Although Microsoft has hammered away at Windows XP SP3 in order to provide an experience as seamless as possible for end users when deploying the service pack, failed installation scenarios are still a valid possibility. In the eventuality of a failed installation of XP SP3 RTM, there are some troubleshooting steps end users can take before running to Microsoft Support for help. The troubleshooting methods involve nothing more than basic actions on the part of the end user and are designed to resolve an unsuccessful installation process while, at the same, time ignoring the error message.
First of all, Microsoft advises all end users to turn to Windows Update for the primary source of the gold bits of XP SP3. “Sometimes an installation is unsuccessful because a previous operation was not completed. By restarting the computer, you close any pending computer functions and restart the process. Wait until the computer finishes the restart process, and then log on to your account. Visit Windows Update to reselect and install Windows XP SP3. Click Express Install (Recommended),” Microsoft stated.
If the Windows XP machine that the end user is trying to update meets all the requirements for XP SP3 RTM, the service pack will be automatically installed. At the same time, if the WU package fails to install, users also have the possibility of manually accessing the bits for XP SP3 and then to attempt to integrate the service pack in their operating system.
There is a variety of applications that can interfere with the installation of the service pack, especially security products. “Installation failure may occur when a third-party program holds a file open or when it locks a file that the Windows XP SP3 installation program needs. To minimize this possibility, follow these steps before you install Windows XP SP3: exit any open programs, and then restart the computer. After the computer has restarted, disable any antivirus, antispyware, and third-party firewall programs that may start during the startup process,” Microsoft said.
Users will need to try to install XP SP3 again either via the standalone packages or through WU, and then turn back on all their security software. If the installation still fails, the status of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to be checked, and BITS has to be turned on.
“Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. Right-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and then click Properties. On the General tab, click Automatic in the Startup type box, and then click Apply. In the “Service status” section of the properties dialog box, verify that the BITS service is started. If it is not started, click Start. Click Apply, and then click OK,” Microsoft added.
Retrying the installation process at this point should end up in a successful deployment. In the case that XP SP3 is still not integrated, there remains only the option of clearing the Software Distribution folder and trying one last time. But if the result is the same, the end users are advised to contact Microsoft Support.
“Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. Right-click Automatic Update, and then click Stop. Click Start, click Run, and then type the following in the Open box: ‘%windir%SoftwareDistribution’. Right-click the Download folder, and then click Rename. Type Download.old, and then press ENTER. Exit Windows Explorer. In the Services console, right-click the Automatic Update service, and then click Start,” Microsoft explained.
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Written by Jason on May 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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