Windows Vista is more advanced than Windows XP to a great extent. It performs better and is easier to use. Windows Vista features an assortment of latest technologies that are designed to assist power users and network administrators enhance systems management tasks. Significant changes consist of a full modification of the "Windows Setup" process, support for per-application Remote Desktop, entirely rewritten deployment procedures, different health and diagnostic tools, and a new Group Policy. However, in spite of its new features, users still encounter Windows Visa not responding errors much like other versions of Windows.
Even though it is nearly impossible to immediately identify the source of a Windows Vista not responding errors, the most experts would identify that a hardware problem have caused it. The common reason why a Vista stops responding is insufficient RAM for the newly installed device driver. In order to fix this, you can either try to change or update the device driver or remove the device driver. The computer will not be able to hold a lot of programs running if it does not have enough memory. If you experience freezing of the Windows Vista mouse cursor, it is a simple problem that can easily be fixed by updating the mouse driver.
There are other causes for Windows Vista not responding errors such as registry problems, installing and deleting programs, and malicious files or softwares. You can fix the problem by performing a system clean up to repair registry problems and completely remove uninstalled programs. Use a registry cleaner software program to run a system scan and diagnose problems. It will also eliminate all unwanted entries so that the operating system will be able to run smoothly. If you do not have a registry cleaner yet you can download one from the Internet. There are reliable registry cleaner softwares that are available for free.
The registry problems and errors can cause Windows Vista not responding errors that is why a lot of its users have software programs that prevent and fix such problem. However, Windows Vista has various advanced and different registry settings that is why many registry cleaners are incompatible with it. Some even cause damage to the system by automatically removing important files. Therefore, you have to find a reliable cleaner software to use. Only use that ones that have been made by trustworthy developers and manufacturers. In addition, the registry cleaner should also be updated on a regular basis.
Computer errors are common but there are ways to resolve them. Prevention and proper maintenance are very important to avoid Windows Vista not responding errors. Run a registry cleaner software program regularly to keep your operating system running smoothly.
Source: http://goo.gl/aXswA
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Windows 7 Gives More Mobility and Security
The least obvious but an important factor is the Windows 7 customizable power management features. In addition to simply customizable power management plans, the software giants has finally come up with a running form of hibernation. Closing your notebook lid puts it to sleep, whilst re-opening it means near-instant wake up.
While it is not likely to be helped by many existing notebooks, Windows 7 is also sensor-savvy and can deploy GPS, light sensors and 3G modems to bring a couple of added intelligence into mobile computing. Notebook screens can be smartly brightened and dimmed, in consonance to ambient light levels. Location smarts can generally add smarts to Windows 7's integrated search capabilities.
Add to this a mobile control centre for easy access to frequently used mobile settings, simple to use wireless connectivity, and location aware printing which can itself know which default printer to use depending which network a notebook is connected to, and also things are looking decidedly good for mobile users. Microsoft will include a Windows 7 Starter Edition, which is crafted for low-end notebooks and Notebooks, replacing XP without the performance ultimatums associated with migrating to Windows Vista.
Maybe Vista's greatest flaw was its over-zealous User Account Control (also known as UAC, or universal annoyance control). Twitching the wrong way on your PC usually resulted in pop up UAC windows inquiring if you really wanted to go ahead with the task. Having this happen too many times a day quickly became unbearable. UAC is deployed in Windows 7, but Microsoft has sensibly chosen to make it far less complicated.
The new Windows 7 default UAC's setting will only tell you when an application tries change settings on your PC and will otherwise leave you to yourself. UAC settings can also easily be changed thanks to a slider control which ranges from Vista level alerts through to 'never notify.'
Windows 7 also won't Auto-run external storage when it is connected, significantly reducing the scope for virus infections. One will though need to add your own security software to Windows 7, but the software giants has also tweaked the Windows 7 Firewall.
Where firewall settings falling in Vista were at best limited, Window 7's are far more granular, enabling easy access to features such as filtering outbound traffic.
With the final retail version of Windows 7 it's hard not to be impressed. Where Vista was a swollen monolith that seemed hell-bent on making its presence conspicous, Microsoft has got Windows 7 right to a mark where it unobtrusively lets you get on with the task at hand.
Source: http://goo.gl/Kkjd2
While it is not likely to be helped by many existing notebooks, Windows 7 is also sensor-savvy and can deploy GPS, light sensors and 3G modems to bring a couple of added intelligence into mobile computing. Notebook screens can be smartly brightened and dimmed, in consonance to ambient light levels. Location smarts can generally add smarts to Windows 7's integrated search capabilities.
Add to this a mobile control centre for easy access to frequently used mobile settings, simple to use wireless connectivity, and location aware printing which can itself know which default printer to use depending which network a notebook is connected to, and also things are looking decidedly good for mobile users. Microsoft will include a Windows 7 Starter Edition, which is crafted for low-end notebooks and Notebooks, replacing XP without the performance ultimatums associated with migrating to Windows Vista.
Maybe Vista's greatest flaw was its over-zealous User Account Control (also known as UAC, or universal annoyance control). Twitching the wrong way on your PC usually resulted in pop up UAC windows inquiring if you really wanted to go ahead with the task. Having this happen too many times a day quickly became unbearable. UAC is deployed in Windows 7, but Microsoft has sensibly chosen to make it far less complicated.
The new Windows 7 default UAC's setting will only tell you when an application tries change settings on your PC and will otherwise leave you to yourself. UAC settings can also easily be changed thanks to a slider control which ranges from Vista level alerts through to 'never notify.'
Windows 7 also won't Auto-run external storage when it is connected, significantly reducing the scope for virus infections. One will though need to add your own security software to Windows 7, but the software giants has also tweaked the Windows 7 Firewall.
Where firewall settings falling in Vista were at best limited, Window 7's are far more granular, enabling easy access to features such as filtering outbound traffic.
With the final retail version of Windows 7 it's hard not to be impressed. Where Vista was a swollen monolith that seemed hell-bent on making its presence conspicous, Microsoft has got Windows 7 right to a mark where it unobtrusively lets you get on with the task at hand.
Source: http://goo.gl/Kkjd2
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
How to Migrate From Windows to Linux
As most people do,when I started using Linux, I created separate partitions for Linux and used Lilo or Grub to boot either into either Windows or Linux, according to the different job requirements.
I normally used my laptop PC during the day in a company that used Windows applications in a Windows based LAN and therefore I normally had to boot in Windows during the day to work with my colleagues whereas at home I would boot mainly into Linux. This approach has a few disadvantages as follows:
* My work e-mails were in Microsoft Outlook and I had to boot under Windows to access them.
* I used KMail (and later Mozilla Thunderbird) for my personal e-mails and I had to boot under Linux to access them.
* I could access Window folders from Linux and copy data from Windows, but I could not access any Linux directory from Windows.
I reached the conclusion that there should have been a better way to use my PC and I looked for a solution that would allow to access both Linux and Windows applications without rebooting.
I investigated some of the available products. I found that the wine or CodeWeavers Crossover supported most common Windows applications, but some other ones would not work. VMWare looked interesting, but I preferred to use until recently Win4Lin (originally developed by Netraverse to support only Windows 95, 98 or ME and later upgraded by Virtual Bridges to support also Windows 2000 and Windows XP) but this product is no longer upgraded and supported,
I had to find a replacement and finally decided to install Virtual BOx, a virtualization platform originally developped by Sun Micro Systems and later supported by Oracle, after its acquisition of Sun.
Some good advantages that I found in Virtual Box are the following:
* VirtualBox 3 is a desktop virtual machine application using a "Type 2" hypervisor that requires a compatible host operating system (Linux, Windows, Macintosh, or OpenSolaris) and computer hardware based on x86 or AMD64/Intel64 to function
* The installation of Virtual Box is pretty straightforward, but there are a few issues that I will describe later.
* You can easily install many different Operating systems and the performance is pretty good. You can read a list of the supported Operating Systems at virtualbox.org/
* Creating a VM is fast and easy, thanks to a VM creation wizard that takes you step-by-step through creating your guest VM.
Installing Virtual Box
Virtual Box can be downloaded from virtualbox.org, but I did not have to download it because the software is included with my Linux distribution (OpenSuSE 11.3).
You will find plenty of documentation at theVirtualBox.org Technical Documentation page.
The installation is pretty easy, but you must remember to manually add the users who will access Virtual Box to the special user group vboxusers. This can easily be done in OpenSuSe by using the security and users option of Yast.
Source: http://goo.gl/tVacF
I normally used my laptop PC during the day in a company that used Windows applications in a Windows based LAN and therefore I normally had to boot in Windows during the day to work with my colleagues whereas at home I would boot mainly into Linux. This approach has a few disadvantages as follows:
* My work e-mails were in Microsoft Outlook and I had to boot under Windows to access them.
* I used KMail (and later Mozilla Thunderbird) for my personal e-mails and I had to boot under Linux to access them.
* I could access Window folders from Linux and copy data from Windows, but I could not access any Linux directory from Windows.
I reached the conclusion that there should have been a better way to use my PC and I looked for a solution that would allow to access both Linux and Windows applications without rebooting.
I investigated some of the available products. I found that the wine or CodeWeavers Crossover supported most common Windows applications, but some other ones would not work. VMWare looked interesting, but I preferred to use until recently Win4Lin (originally developed by Netraverse to support only Windows 95, 98 or ME and later upgraded by Virtual Bridges to support also Windows 2000 and Windows XP) but this product is no longer upgraded and supported,
I had to find a replacement and finally decided to install Virtual BOx, a virtualization platform originally developped by Sun Micro Systems and later supported by Oracle, after its acquisition of Sun.
Some good advantages that I found in Virtual Box are the following:
* VirtualBox 3 is a desktop virtual machine application using a "Type 2" hypervisor that requires a compatible host operating system (Linux, Windows, Macintosh, or OpenSolaris) and computer hardware based on x86 or AMD64/Intel64 to function
* The installation of Virtual Box is pretty straightforward, but there are a few issues that I will describe later.
* You can easily install many different Operating systems and the performance is pretty good. You can read a list of the supported Operating Systems at virtualbox.org/
* Creating a VM is fast and easy, thanks to a VM creation wizard that takes you step-by-step through creating your guest VM.
Installing Virtual Box
Virtual Box can be downloaded from virtualbox.org, but I did not have to download it because the software is included with my Linux distribution (OpenSuSE 11.3).
You will find plenty of documentation at theVirtualBox.org Technical Documentation page.
The installation is pretty easy, but you must remember to manually add the users who will access Virtual Box to the special user group vboxusers. This can easily be done in OpenSuSe by using the security and users option of Yast.
Source: http://goo.gl/tVacF
Monday, May 9, 2011
How to change Windows 7 logon password ?
Password Security is important for personal information on your Win7 Operation System. The best security strategy is changing your Windows 7 password on a regular basis to ensure nobody can access sensitive information. A strong password is the first line of defense against those who wish to gain access to your OS and the important data they contain. As the latest OS of Microsoft, Windows 7 allows you to change user login password to keep you protected at all times.Note: You may not have a existing password and you just want to make a password to protect you account, another guide is for you – How to create a Windows 7 logon password.
Simple steps for you to easily change your Windows 7 account login password.
1. Click on the “Start” button, and choose “Control Panel“.
2. Click on the “User Accounts and Family Safety” heading in the Control Panel.
3. Under the “User Accounts” heading, click on the link for “Change your Windows password” .
4. This will take you to your User Account window. If you already have a password, you will see a link for “Change your password“. Click that link to go to the “Change your password” window.
If you do not already have a password, the link will read “Create a password for your account“.
5. If you have a current password, type in your current password in the first text box, then type a new password and confirm.
If you do not have a current password, just type in and confirm a new password.
Click the “Change password” or “Create password” button when ready. (It depends on whether you had an existing password or not)
Note: You can choose to type a account password hint, although this step is optional. Be aware that the password hint will be visible to all other computer users. To be more secure, choose a password and hint that cannot be easily guessed. You can see this guide – How to create a best password.
6. If your passwords do not match, you will be prompted to retype them.
7. You’re finished! You will now be prompted to enter your password every time you log into your Win7. Sometimes, you leave your computer for a long holiday. After enjoyng your festival, you may face a big problem that you can’t remember you win7 login password, then read this guide – Forgot Windows 7 Password.
Source: http://bit.ly/krByKX
Friday, May 6, 2011
How To Remove Unwanter System Services- windows 7 optimization
that isn't worth arguing over.
Diagnostic Policy Service
The Diagnostic Policy Service enables dynamic problem detection, troubleshooting and resolution for Windows components. If this service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function. This is one of the services that I am always torn as to whether it should be left on or not. I usually disable it in the system image and then simply re-enable it on higher-end machines and on an as needed basis for lower-end machines.
I would recommend leaving this service enabled for all of the machines that are in your "QA" pool where you test system patches, etc. This service is usually quicker at finding problems on the system than we are.
Distributed Link Tracking Client
This service maintains links with NTFS files within your computer or across a domain. For example, you could make a file on "Computer A." You then create a "short cut" or "link" to that file on "Computer B." If you then move the file on Computer A to a different location, this service would tell Computer B to update its information to allow uninterrupted connectivity. Even though this is functionality sounds appealing, I have not found it terribly useful in a production environment. The user communities I have worked with simply don't maintain local shortcuts to all of their work files the way that this service expects them to. Additionally, there are usually only 3 reasons why a file or folder gets moved in the 1stplace and this really only "helps" the case of accidental folder movement.
If you are hoping this service will assist in cases of server swap out, the only time this service was able to help was when the folder was a part of a DFS hierarchy. In my testing, I have been unable to get this service to update shortcuts that move to a new server. (Which is kind of expected, when you think about it)
Many also hope this service will help in the case of files or folders that get moved to a proper location as a result of a filing correction due to the original location being inconsistent with corporate standards. While the service does update the links in this situation, the individual who misfiled the data in the first place never hears that the file or folder was moved or why. This then leads to larger, non-technical problems in the future.
IP helper
This service provides tunnel connectivity using IPv6 transition technologies (IPv6toIPv4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo), and IP-HTTPS. If this service is stopped, the computer will not have the enhanced connectivity benefits that these technologies offer. Bottom line on this one is that unless you are running IPv6 in your environment, there is no need for this service.
Offline Files
Before you reach for the pitchforks and torches, I am well aware that this service can be unbelievably useful for the mobile worker. In fact, it is one of the tools that I rely on nearly every day. The key here though is that it is a tool for the mobile worker. In most environments, the mobile workforce is the minority; typically not more than 25%-40% of the overall user base. For the remainder of the workforce, this service has little, if any, value as they should have live access to the source materials nearly all the time. If you are using a scriptable image deployment system like the OSD component of SCCM, it is a simple matter to re-enable this service automatically as a part of your task sequences that address laptop computers. Even if you are not, it is a simple step to re-enable it as a part of the build process or in response to user inquiry.
Themes
Like the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service, this is another one of the "form over function" services within the OS. This service is responsible for providing user experience theme management. Together with the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service, the Themes service provides the heart of the "Aero Glass engine".
Don't get me wrong, the Windows 7 Aero looks awesome and can even be a plus. However, disabling the themes and Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service to make it look like Windows 2000/XP could save you several hundred MB of RAM. In a 32-bit OS, several hundred MB of RAM is significant and could keep end-user workstations from paging when using more memory intensive applications and improving overall system responsiveness. On a 4GB machine, disabling these 2 services could result in an additional 10% of system RAM being available for end-user applications without paging. On a 2GB machine, the effects are even more significant.
Windows Media Player Network Sharing
This service shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play. If someone can come up with a business purpose for this service, I am all ears.
Windows Search
This is another one of the services that fills a very useful role for the mobile workforce, but not so much for the traditional desktop worker. Think about it; desktop search indexes files on the local workstation for faster searching. In most environments, users are strongly discouraged from storing files on their desktops in favor of using network shares for disaster recovery purposes.
Conclusion
There are likely other services that are providing questionable value for the resources they consume, but the nine services covered should cover the vast majority of the "low hanging fruit".
Source : http://goo.gl/OlMC7
Diagnostic Policy Service
The Diagnostic Policy Service enables dynamic problem detection, troubleshooting and resolution for Windows components. If this service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function. This is one of the services that I am always torn as to whether it should be left on or not. I usually disable it in the system image and then simply re-enable it on higher-end machines and on an as needed basis for lower-end machines.
I would recommend leaving this service enabled for all of the machines that are in your "QA" pool where you test system patches, etc. This service is usually quicker at finding problems on the system than we are.
Distributed Link Tracking Client
This service maintains links with NTFS files within your computer or across a domain. For example, you could make a file on "Computer A." You then create a "short cut" or "link" to that file on "Computer B." If you then move the file on Computer A to a different location, this service would tell Computer B to update its information to allow uninterrupted connectivity. Even though this is functionality sounds appealing, I have not found it terribly useful in a production environment. The user communities I have worked with simply don't maintain local shortcuts to all of their work files the way that this service expects them to. Additionally, there are usually only 3 reasons why a file or folder gets moved in the 1stplace and this really only "helps" the case of accidental folder movement.
If you are hoping this service will assist in cases of server swap out, the only time this service was able to help was when the folder was a part of a DFS hierarchy. In my testing, I have been unable to get this service to update shortcuts that move to a new server. (Which is kind of expected, when you think about it)
Many also hope this service will help in the case of files or folders that get moved to a proper location as a result of a filing correction due to the original location being inconsistent with corporate standards. While the service does update the links in this situation, the individual who misfiled the data in the first place never hears that the file or folder was moved or why. This then leads to larger, non-technical problems in the future.
IP helper
This service provides tunnel connectivity using IPv6 transition technologies (IPv6toIPv4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo), and IP-HTTPS. If this service is stopped, the computer will not have the enhanced connectivity benefits that these technologies offer. Bottom line on this one is that unless you are running IPv6 in your environment, there is no need for this service.
Offline Files
Before you reach for the pitchforks and torches, I am well aware that this service can be unbelievably useful for the mobile worker. In fact, it is one of the tools that I rely on nearly every day. The key here though is that it is a tool for the mobile worker. In most environments, the mobile workforce is the minority; typically not more than 25%-40% of the overall user base. For the remainder of the workforce, this service has little, if any, value as they should have live access to the source materials nearly all the time. If you are using a scriptable image deployment system like the OSD component of SCCM, it is a simple matter to re-enable this service automatically as a part of your task sequences that address laptop computers. Even if you are not, it is a simple step to re-enable it as a part of the build process or in response to user inquiry.
Themes
Like the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service, this is another one of the "form over function" services within the OS. This service is responsible for providing user experience theme management. Together with the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service, the Themes service provides the heart of the "Aero Glass engine".
Don't get me wrong, the Windows 7 Aero looks awesome and can even be a plus. However, disabling the themes and Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service to make it look like Windows 2000/XP could save you several hundred MB of RAM. In a 32-bit OS, several hundred MB of RAM is significant and could keep end-user workstations from paging when using more memory intensive applications and improving overall system responsiveness. On a 4GB machine, disabling these 2 services could result in an additional 10% of system RAM being available for end-user applications without paging. On a 2GB machine, the effects are even more significant.
Windows Media Player Network Sharing
This service shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play. If someone can come up with a business purpose for this service, I am all ears.
Windows Search
This is another one of the services that fills a very useful role for the mobile workforce, but not so much for the traditional desktop worker. Think about it; desktop search indexes files on the local workstation for faster searching. In most environments, users are strongly discouraged from storing files on their desktops in favor of using network shares for disaster recovery purposes.
Conclusion
There are likely other services that are providing questionable value for the resources they consume, but the nine services covered should cover the vast majority of the "low hanging fruit".
Source : http://goo.gl/OlMC7
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