Windows 7 Migration Story

The migration to Windows 7 is being touted as one of the largest migrations to occur in PC history. Some organizations are simply migrating as part of attrition when new PCs are purchased. Others are looking at migrating large sections of their organization based on requirements for a new application, while still others are deploying Windows 7 to select users who are clamoring for the latest and greatest. Whatever your particular situation, having a solid plan in place is a must. For our story, we are going to set up a scenario which many of you will be able to relate to, and then walk you step by step through the high-level tasks that make up a successful migration. Along the way, we'll give you tips and tools to get you there.

Our story

As the director of IT, you are approached by the CFO, who requests that his entire department be moved to Windows 7 to support a new financial package. He has one main location at headquarters with 30 PCs, and 10 satellite locations spread over a 50-mile radius with 5-10 PCs each. All PCs are running Windows XP. He is requiring that all existing software on those PCs be supported on Windows 7, since he has no budget for new software. As an additional wrinkle, he has recently replaced some of those PCs and therefore needs to know how much of the current hardware will support Windows 7.

Where are you now?

Before you can move forward, you have to know where you are now. That includes finding out how many existing applications are actually being run in his department, as well as what type of hardware he has. Enter Novell's ZENworks Asset Inventory and Asset Management.

ZENworks Asset Inventory is included in the ZENworks Configuration Management package. Asset Inventory will give you a detailed picture of the readiness of your hardware for Windows 7. The reporting function is phenomenal and will give you lots of options to run. In like fashion, it will provide you with a software inventory, listing all the applications installed on each machine.

Once the hardware and software inventories have been completed, Asset Management will take you to the next level. By entering all your software licenses into the database, compliance reports can be run. Not only that, but by tracking the history of the PCs for a time, you can see what applications are actually being used. For example, consider a product like Adobe Creative Suite. Let's say you have 10 licenses, but someone in your department was trying to keep end-users happy and installed it on 20 machines. When you use Asset Management to check usage, it reveals all 20 machines, and the fact that only 5 users are actually using it on a regular basis. Asset Management has not only apprised you that you are out of compliance, but that you are over-buying software licenses!

In the case of our story, you should run several reports and have a meeting with the CFO to present the findings, including what hardware is ready for Windows 7 and actual counts of the software that is installed in his department. He may be surprised to learn that 5 of his staff have Quicken installed, even though it is not an application that is used by his department. Based on your findings, strategic decisions can be made around what needs to be supported on Windows 7, and any compliance issues that exist can be rectified.

Now both you and he have a clear picture of where you are going with the migration. With your list of required hardware, you can begin the ordering process. Likewise, with your software list, you can begin testing on Windows 7.

Article Source: http://goo.gl/pJzFa

Make a PC Faster Using Defragmenter Tools

One of the main causes of slow windows PC performance is file fragmentation, file fragmentation is something that happens over time as a pc gets more and more use. It can occur during everyday usage, when you install new programs, when windows updates automatically, install themselves, and for many other reasons as well.

To understand how you can make a PC faster just by using a disk defrag tool such as Diskeeper you need to understand how files are stored on you PC. I good analogy is a physical filing cabinet. Imagine that the data storage device inside your computer (The hard drive) is a drawer in a filing cabinet, inside the drawer are hanging files that contain the contents of your my documents folder, pictures folder, videos folder, windows systems folders etc.

Fragmentation is where the "hanging files" contents have been added one after the next and are in no particular order. In addition when one item is updated, just the updated part is now stored further back in the related hanging file. If this was a physical filing cabinet it would be useless by this stage. Computers are so fast they can search thought the cabinet draw so find all the bits for one file so quickly that you don't notice a difference. That is up to a point...

File fragmentation starts to have detrimental effect on your PC's performance once a larger number of key files become fragmented. Most people have maybe a thousand documents and pictures, what they don't realise is that Microsoft windows itself is made up of many thousands of files all working together. It is this structure that once fragmented is one of the main causes of slow pc start up times and even sometimes computer crashing and freezing issues.

Defragmentation software finds all these file pieces and reassembles them as complete items again. This saves the computer time when opening files and where previously fragmented. Although the time saved to open one file is too small to notice, when your computer is opening hundreds of files while windows starts up it can add up to a big difference.

The same is true for software as well, I've often seen software such as word processor programs take 20 seconds to open before a computer is defragged and as little as just a few seconds afterwards.

So why not just use the defrag tool built into windows? Answer, it just has not got the advanced functions of something like Diskeeper. Diskeeper can defragment system files that the standard windows tool cannot do anything about. It also has advanced features to optimise system start up related files that just don't exist in the windows tool.

Article Source: http://goo.gl/V8gyb

Windows 2008 Deployment Tools

Windows Server 2008 is a Microsoft operating system for server environments that replaces Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2008 R2 is an updated version of the original Windows Server 2008 OS, and it is also the latest version of this OS as of 2010. If you plan on deploying Windows Server 2008 on your system, some tools can help you with this process.

MDT


The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Update 1 allows you to deploy the following programs on your computer systems: Windows Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2, XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Office 2010. This tool allows you to automate the deployment process on computer workstations and servers, and you can perform unattended installations with the Zero Touch Installation tool. The purpose of this tool is to quickly deploy an operating system across multiple computers and servers, and you can also create customized deployments with the User Driven Installation wizard. The MDT 2010 Update 1 toolkit will also identify the supported platforms for drivers, cutting down on installation time or problems. This is a free toolkit that you can download from the Microsoft Download Center, and it is for deployment specialists and IT administrators.

WDS


The Windows Deployment Services allow you to deploy Windows 2008 or 2008 R2 on remote computers within your company's network. A remote computer is a computer that you can manipulate from your local computer but cannot physically access because another end user is making use of it. The WDS tool eliminates the need to upload the operating system from the CD or DVD that came with the program. This tool is specifically for IT administrators, planners, deployment specialists, analysts and designers. The WDS tool is a free tool that you can download from the Microsoft Download Center.


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How To Get Windows 7 Running Like New Again ?

Windows 7 running slowly is no big surprise for many seasoned Windows users. The problem of a slow computer is an issue that can be caused by a number of potential issues on your PC. The good news is that you can fix this problem very easily IF you know what's causing it. This is the downfall that most people have - they don't understand how Windows works, and consequently don't know how to fix the slow speed issues that will be plaguing it. Want some good news? You CAN speed up your PC very easily if you know what the problems are that will be likely causing it to slow down, and I'm going to show you exactly how to do this with this tutorial.

The way to make Windows 7 run faster is to fix the problems that are leading it to slow down. There are 2 main problems that will be leading your system to run slower, including having too many programs running, and having "registry errors" inside your system. I'll explain about the registry in a second, but having too many programs running at once can be EASILY resolved by just closing them down with the "Task Manager". All you need to do is to click onto "CTRL" + "ALT" + "DEL" and then select "Processes". In the list which appears, select the programs that are taking up too much memory, and select "End Process". This will remove all the parts of the program which will prevent your computer from being able to run smoothly.

The biggest cause of Windows 7 slow speeds will be the "registry" of your system. This is a database which stores important files & settings for your computer, and is where the likes of your desktop wallpaper, and most recent emails are stored. This part of your PC is one of the most important parts of ANY Windows system, and is continually being used to help make sure that Windows 7 can open the likes of your desktop wallpaper, latest emails or even your passwords. Although it's continually being used to help make sure that your system is able to run as smoothly as possible, it's continually the case that it will often become damaged or corrupted, preventing your system from being able to operate correctly.

Article Source: http://goo.gl/QcPRg

Windows Packaging Tools

When a developer or engineer creates a software application, it needs to be packaged with all items necessary to install and deploy the application. Software tools are available to help you package your application. Most of these programs will require a fee to use, but some free versions are available from Microsoft.

Makecab.exe

This tool comes pre-installed with Microsoft Visual Basic, and you can access this tool within the MS-DOS command prompt by typing in MAKECAB.EXE FILENAME CABFILE. This creates cabinet (.cab) files by packaging existing files. A cabinet file compresses and stores files within a file library. This tool is most often used after files have been extracted using the EXTRACT.exe command. It allows you to repackage them so that they can be deployed again. Items can only be added one at a time using this tool. The program file for this tool is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\Wizards\PDWizard.

MCO MSI Package Builder


This program creates Windows Installer (MSI) package files, which deploys applications manually on local computers or automatically on remote computers using either the EMCO Remote Installer or the Domain Group Policy. The Domain Group Policy allows administrators to install or configure for clients or on certain computers using the Microsoft Windows infrastructure. This tool can also covert. EXE (common Executable File) into Windows Installer files, allowing these applications to be launched on Windows systems. EMCO MSI Package Builder can take apart existing Windows installation packages, allowing you to edit and recreate these files. Other features include a visual editor, which can be used to control and edit files, registry information, individual folders and event logs. The system also creates event logs when information is changed within file systems and registries. There is a fee to use this program.


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How to Deploy Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 in Office 2007

Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) allows network administrators and information technology (IT) managers "to comprehensively assess, deploy, and update your servers, clients, and devices across physical, virtual, distributed, and mobile environments," according to Microsoft. So if you have a server-based network and you wish to deploy the Enterprise version of Microsoft Office 2007, you can use the SCCM to simplify and automate your job.


Browse to the folder on your computer or server where the Office 2007 Setup.EXE file is located. Click in the address bar of that folder and select all the text, then right-click and select "Copy." Press "Windows Key"+"R" on your keyboard and type "CMD" into the text box, and press "Enter." Type "CD" and press "Space," then right-click, select "Paste" and press "Enter." Type "Setup.EXE /admin" and press "Enter."


Set "Display Level" to read "None", and then check the box next to "Suppress Modal." Remove any checks next to "Completion Notice" or "No Cancel." Enter the product key for Office 2007 and check the box next to "I accept the terms in the License Agreement."


Save the file you just created to a new sub-folder in the folder where the Office setup file is located.


Read more: http://goo.gl/OSQwE

Built-In Windows 7 Backup Tool Vs Advanced Backup Software

How to back up a Windows 7 computer? The latest released operational system by Microsoft has gained a high popularity and big trust among computer users. And inevitable is the question: what backup software will work well with this OS?

First of all, there is a built-in Windows 7 backup tool - Backup and Restore Center. It surely is much better than Windows tools in earlier systems were. And it can be quite good, if you are looking for simple software that can duplicate files and folders and make the copy of your hard disk.

But for more convenient and powerful backup of Windows 7, it's better to get special software. Even if you are a home user, wanting simple solution, you may not be satisfied with features provided by Backup and Restore Center. The good news is that today's IT market is ready to offer various backup solutions that are affordable and not more difficult to use than the Windows 7 tool.

Specialized backup software for Windows 7 offers a much wider set of features:

• Where to back up. Backup and Restore center is able to back up to CD, DVD, hard disks and local area network. Backup Windows 7 computer is much more secure when backing up to remote FTP/SFTP servers. More advanced programs can store your backups to remote servers, and even provide a special online backup storage.

• What to back up. There are software that can make backup of more complex data than individual files and folders: popular applications (like Outlook, ICQ and other), many specialized data like databases, mail clients and servers and backup Windows 7 operational system with all settings and registry records.

• When to back up. Built-in Windows 7 backup utility can be scheduled to run backup daily, weekly or monthly. But if you want to set up a schedule with your own period of time, or make backups on logon and logoff, you'll need a stronger tool.

• Some other options. Many programs today offer a vast variety of useful backup options like encryption, compression, email notifications and much more.

• Restore features. Optional and flexible backup restoration is a nice opportunity to have. Backup Windows 7 built-in utility can restore separate files from common files and folders backup. It doesn't allow to restore one hard disk partition if needed. But there are programs that feature restoration of one component of backup. For example, you can restore one damaged table from the whole database backup.

So, built-in backup tool is not a unique solution. Today there are many amazing utilities, offering at a reasonable price a great way to effectively backup Windows 7 computer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4496507