Nikhil Bendre

SkyDrive now 1GB

2007-10-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

SkyDrive now goes 1GB and new feature added....

SkyDrive Team Blog

Windows Server 2008 RC0

2007-10-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Sign-up
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/beta/betacentral.mspx

Download Links
- Windows Web Server 2008 RC0
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d977fde8-d3fb-4e6c-8a8a-352cf83111cc&DisplayLang=en

- Windows Server 2008 RC0 Standard Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d694d4cc-0681-41b5-b02e-012be18f8b71&DisplayLang=en

- Windows Server 2008 RC0 for Itanium-based Systems
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=07ec6bea-b14e-4f73-98c6-eb7a92e76b05&DisplayLang=en

- Windows Server 2008 RC0 Enterprise
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0818d425-cd47-4279-be8d-24aba14530a3&displaylang=en&tm

- Windows Server 2008 RC0 Datacenter
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=95cc89a8-0076-4571-b379-4aa4f526b893&displaylang=en&tm

- Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate: System Requirements and Installation Documentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1087a498-40ad-46ba-9ada-f32a58a94a85&displaylang=en&tm

- Windows Server 2008 Technical Overviews
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=46dc26d6-af47-43f0-b3de-521831fe09d6&displaylang=en&tm

- Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guides
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=518d870c-fa3e-4f6a-97f5-acaf31de6dce&DisplayLang=en

- Release Notes for this Release of Windows Server Virtualization
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3ed582f0-f844-40ba-b692-230845af1149&DisplayLang=en

- Windows Media Services 2008 for Windows Server 2008 RC0
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=898fe4ff-92fc-4ab8-bd5a-6ce689004b40&DisplayLang=en

- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 VHD (Full Installation)http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9aa65956-4a13-46a3-9711-82939a041792&displaylang=en

Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Download

2007-09-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Download

Windows Server® 2008 Beta 3 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.

Sign-up
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/beta/betacentral.mspx

Download Links
Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Web

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 VHD (Full Installation)

Windows Live Hotmail now goes 5GB

2007-08-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

From MailTeam Blog Page

Hotmail will soon bring you more of your requests, better performance
We went out of beta in May, and we’re already releasing something new. Today, these new features will begin to roll our gradually to all our customers over the next few weeks, so if you don’t immediately see them, be patient, they’re coming!

It’s a fun time to be working on Hotmail. We already did a ton of work to get the basics ready to get out of beta, so now we’ve been able to add some more of the extras that our more advanced users have been asking for. We’re continuing to collect feedback and using it to guide which areas of the product to improve next. Thanks to all of you who were beta testers, have clicked the “feedback” link in Hotmail, or leave constructive comments on the blog. We’re listening!

Performance: We’ve been hearing you loud and clear across the world: speed is one of the most important aspects of a web-based email service. We’ve spent more time in this release identifying what parts of the product are slowest and fixing those. We hope that you notice an improvement when this update is released to your account, and we’ll continue our work on performance in future releases.

Quality of Service: Our last release went quite smoothly, and we’ve been continuing to monitor the live site to make sure that we’re providing e-mail that is reliable – you always want to be able to get to your mail, and we hear you!

More storage! Just when you were wondering how you’d ever fill up 2 or 4 GB of mail, we’ve given you more storage. Free users will get 5 GB and paid users will get 10 GB of Hotmail storage.

Mail retention changes: We’ll be increasing the amount of time that we leave messages in your junk and deleted items folders over the next few months.

Contacts de-duplication: Do you have five different entries for the same person in your Contacts? Yeah, me too, but not anymore. We’re the first webmail service to roll out “contacts de-duplication”. If you get a message from “Steve Kafka” and click “add contact” but there’s already a Steve Kafka, we’ll let you know and let you add Steve’s other e-mail address to your existing “Steve Kafka” contact entry. We’re just trying to be smarter to make your life easier and faster. There’s also a wizard you can run to clean up your existing duplicate contacts.

Show content more easily: Hotmail blocks images and links in messages from unknown senders for your protection from spammers and phishing scams. Now you can click directly on the gray square or link to decide if you want to show content in a message. (It’s still not a good idea to show content, especially images, in messages from spammers. Just loading the images in a spam lets them know that you’re reading their e-mails.)

Spam-fighting: We’ve made it possible to report phishing attacks like those fake bank notices or fraudsters who want your checking account number so they can supposedly make a deposit. Just click “report phishing” if you think you’ve found a dangerous scam. In the junk folder, click “not junk” to help train our filters. Every mail you report does help make our spam filter smarter, but fighting spam takes constant vigilance. Spammers always find a new trick whenever we thwart their old tricks.

Right-to-left languages: Support for Hebrew and Arabic is now out of beta! If you speak these languages or want to see Hotmail in a totally new way, go to Options and change your language. We fixed a lot of bugs for users of Hebrew and Arabic, so we hope the whole UI works better for you now.

More space for your email, a.k.a. smaller header: We heard you asking for more space for your mail, so we shrunk the header in this update.

Forwarding messages: You can now forward mail from your Hotmail account to other accounts. For now, if you have a free account, you can only forward your mail to other Hotmail accounts. (Paid accounts get more choices.) This is great idea if you have a few different addresses and want to consolidate your mail.

Cobranding: This is what we call showing the logo of an organization for whom we are hosting email. Hotmail is currently hosting e-mail for universities (and a few ISPs) around the world, so we show their logos in Hotmail.

Accepting meeting requests: If you receive a meeting request, such as one sent from Outlook, you can now click “accept” and have it added to your Calendar. This had existed for years in MSN Hotmail, and we’re adding it to Windows Live Hotmail now.

Vacation replies: Now Hotmail can automatically tell your friends why you haven’t written them back in a few weeks.

Classic version jump to page: In the classic version, we’ve made it easier to jump to different pages of mail. This will be very handy as you grow into your new 5 GB or 10 GB account.

And finally... Drumroll please… we know this is going to be a big hit with a lot of you out there in blog land. I hope you remember this as the Hotmail team listening to what you want. J

You can turn off the Today page (if you want to). If you’d rather see your inbox immediately upon login, you have the option to turn off the page of MSN news (called the Today page). The choice is yours. :-)

- Ellie Powers-Boyle, program manager

Windows Live Folders - Beta Expand

2007-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

Subject: Windows Live Folders -- opening soon!

Thanks for signing up for the Windows Live Folders waiting list. We’re sending you email to let you know that we’ll be expanding our beta on Wednesday starting at 10am PST!

To sign up, simply click Get Started on our homepage, starting at 10am tomorrow: http://folders.live.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to post them on our blog: http://livefoldersteam.spaces.live.com/

Thanks again,
Windows Live Folders Team"

500MB storage available online
Lot of improvement and bug fixes required to really go public.

Windows Vista Enterprise 30 Day Eval VHD

2007-05-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Windows Vista Enterprise Edition 30Day Virtual Image Trial Version available for download.

System Requirement :
Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista; Windows XP

In addition to the System Requirements for the virtualization product, you will need additional disk and memory resources for running the virtual machine. This VHD is pre-configured to use approximately 10GB of hard disk space and approximately 1024MB of memory

Other Tryout Virtual Images are available
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/try/vhd/default.mspx

TheComicProject 2nd Anniversary Issue

2007-04-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

TCP posted 200th comic on its 2nd Anniversary...

Windows Home Server Beta 2 Begins

2007-02-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Windows Home Server Beta 2 Begins

Home Server is now public Beta with around 10000 Participants

Windows Home Server is intended to be part of a hardware solution to provide an easy to use consumer product to improve the experiences of broadband-connected households with

multiple personal computers. Windows Home Server provides:

Automated Computer Backup with Simple Restore for your Home Computers
Windows Home Server helps provide you with peace of mind by automatically backing up all of your home computers and your important files; making it easy to restore an entire home

computer or just a file from a previous point in time.

Access Everything from Anywhere
Your home server enables you to easily and more securely access your files and personal computers from inside and outside of your home. You can use your home server to store all of

your important files in a central location, for access anytime and anywhere.

Solution that Grows with You
Windows Home Server grows with you and meets your needs, today and into the future. It is incredibly easy to add hard drives as you need more space for your documents, photos,

music and videos.

The Windows Home Server team has a few recommended links for you to check out:

Windows Home Server Team blog
http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver

Product Overview site with videos highlighting the benefits of the product
http://stopdigitalamnesia.com

Press Release and Product Information
http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-08WindowsHomeServerPR.mspx

Sign-up for Beta Testing
http://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer

Home Server Forum on Microsoft
http://forums.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver/default.aspx?siteid=50

Windows Home Server

2007-01-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

Microsoft planning to release Windows Home Server.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=176

Paul Thoratt's Preview on WHS
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/whs_preview.asp

What I think Windows Home Server should have???
Some thoughts already posted on http://onemanshouting.com/tech/2005/01/17/WindowsServerHomeEdition.aspx

Posting the article below

Some of the most common computer headaches I have heard lately deal with the problem of using multiple PC’s in the home. Many folks now have more than one desktop PC, or a desktop and a laptop in their home. Unless you prescribe to the “one PC per person” idea, the problem is compounded by the location of individual’s data and settings.

So here’s what I propose: Windows Server, Home Edition

This would be a scaled back and customized version of Windows Small Business Server, running on specialized hardware, and it would simplify home networking to the point where everyone could enjoy the benefits of modern network management.

Form Factor: It should look like a consumer electronics device, and be at home in an A/V stand.

Storage: 200+ GB Hard Drive, Optional RAID 1, DVD Burner

Interfaces: USB, IR, Composite Video & Audio, DVI, Ethernet, Wireless 802.11A/B/G, Bluetooth, Front Panel Touchscreen LCD, Dual Smartcard Readers. Modem.

This conglomeration of hardware would be sold by OEM’s bundled with Windows Server, Home Edition, similar to how Media Center PC’s and Windows Storage Server are sold today.

So, what would this strange beast do? How would it make your life better?

1. Email Collection & Backup – There would be a customized implementation of Exchange running on the server. It would collect mail for all of the users and make it accessible locally. If you have 4 different email accounts, this server will make them all available in one place. Hotmail, POP3, etc. Give me options to leave mail on the server, maybe even have a “keep remote mailbox size under xx MB” setting, especially useful for Hotmail accounts. Include licensing for the latest version Outlook for all clients.

2. Profile Management – We’ll call this Roaming Profiles for Dummies. Basically, anytime a new machine is joined to the network, you’ll be given the option of selecting which profiles you want synchronized with this machine. Each user in the household will have their own profile, which will include their settings, favorites, and all of their documents. The documents will be implemented with remote storage. Recently used documents will be available on the local hard disk. Other documents will have to be retrieved on-the-fly from the server.

3. Domain user management & group policy – Ok, you’d have to get the marketing geeks to come up with some home-user friendly names for these functions, but basically it would allow you to set up new profiles, and manage computer use based on group policy. Example: Kid’s can’t login after 8:00PM, No Internet access on Saturday, etc.

4. Simple Backup – I want to leave a blank DVD in the DVD burner, and always have current backups. If I forget to put a DVD in, or if the DVD is full, I’ll be prompted for a new DVD. If I get a new Home Edition Server, I should be able to restore from the DVDs by loading them in reverse order until the system tells me that it is restored. The backups should include all profile data, documents & settings. For interactive restores, let me do point-in-time restores on individual profiles or on specific files. I shouldn’t have to understand the differences between incremental & full backups. It should be easy. Limit the number of clicks, the number of disks required, and walk the user through every step.

5. Remote Backup – This would be a premium subscription service. It would basically take the idea of the backup, and send the files to a server hosted by a commercial company. MSN could run a service, but make the API open, and let other providers get in the game too. You could differentiate on features, and available space. Some providers might offer a simple backup-restore function with a 1-week history and 2GB data space. Others might also allow secure remote access to files & email stored in the profiles.

6. Media Server – Take everything that Media Center does, and include it.

7. Home Automation – Have an option to include a home automation interface.

8. ISA Server, Home Edition – Provide firewall functionality and allow parents to develop specific rules on internet content. Also allows easy sharing of broadband or dialup.

9. Microsoft Update Services – One-click enable of automatic updates for all PC’s that are part of the network. Saves bandwidth and ensures all PC’s are up-to-date.

10. Software Licensing – Offer “Home Edition” licenses of all of your popular software. Price it at about 150% of a single retail license, and allow all of the computers on the home network to access the software. Include games. Include Desktop Operating Systems. Encourage your partners to do this as well. The license will be tied to the Home Edition Server, and any machine that connects should be able to auto-install and use the software. If you remove a computer from the network for more than 30 days, the right to use the software expires. Place a realistic limit on the home edition licenses, perhaps 5 machines. Provide free extenstions for larger families.

11. The Kicker - Make it cost less than $500, hardware, software, everything, $500. Cut corners on RAM, CPU, Video. Make it cheap. Talk to the XBOX hardware guys. Plan to make money on the subscription backup service, and the increased sales that stem from the fact that it’s now easier and less painful to have multiple PC’s in the home.

Could Microsoft pull this off? Would they? Would this make your computing life easier? Comment or trackback with your opinions!

Updated: The Conversation continues... http://blobservations.net/tech/windowsserverhomeeditioncontinued.aspx
Updated Again (6/16/2005): Looks like this may actually come to pass. Microsoft Watch's Mary Jo Foley reports on some comments from Bob Muglia. When asked about the possibility of a server product for the home, he replied: "We are always looking for new opportunities where server technology can be leveraged, and the home definitely represents an exciting new area that we are looking at along with many others. Much of the great storage, replication, and management technology would be great in a home. We have seen many people install Small Business Servers at home, which really works quite well." Sweet...

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Wishing Everyone a Great New Year......

2007 Microsoft Office System 60 Days Trialware

2006-12-04T12:28:00.000-08:00

Try out your choice of suites or programs from the 2007 Microsoft Office release for 60 days! Trial programs contain the same functionality that you get when you buy the perpetual versions-but only for a limited time

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101741481033.aspx

Version Available for Trial Download

Microsoft® Office Professional 2007
Microsoft® Office Small Business 2007
Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007
Microsoft® Office Accounting Professional 2007
Microsoft® Office Groove 2007
Microsoft® Office OneNote 2007
Microsoft® Office Publisher 2007
Microsoft® Office Project Standard 2007
Microsoft® Office Visio Professional 2007
Microsoft® Office Visio Standard 2007
Microsoft® Office Accounting Express 2007
Microsoft® Office Standard 2007

Windows History with Timeline

2006-11-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

Windows History with Timeline

http://www.levenez.com/windows/

This site provides complete Timeline of Windows like family tree which can be printed and stuck in office to make you look geek. You will also find Timeline for Unix and Computer Languages

Microsoft own history site on Windows can be found at

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryIntro.mspx

graphics version of Windows History

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryProGraphic.mspx

another link

http://www.computerhope.com/history/windows.htm

Windows Vista Beta Testing Reward

2006-11-27T05:41:00.000-08:00

Nov 17, 2006

To everyone that took part in the Windows Vista beta test (as far as I know, about 20,000), only those that submitted at least 1 bug report will be offered a complimentary copy of Windows Vista Business or Ultimate.

Microsoft sent out a mail to those testers just a few minutes ago which specified that it is being offered as a download only. No media will be mailed, and only currently active, invited members of the Windows Vista technical beta program who filed at least one bug are receiving this offer

Due to the load from Connect, MSDN, TechNet, etc. the X64 images have been removed. If you have already begun a download, you will be able to finish, but no new X64 downloads will be permitted until the load has lessened. Additionally, the Vista team will be intermittently stopping new downloads for periods of time when the servers reach capacity.

On a side note: Remember the last time that the Connect servers were having this much trouble at the Beta 2 Launch? Well, the connect sercers are currently seeing ~2.5x the traffic that we did for Beta 2. No wonder Connect is suffering

Update : X64 Image back on Connect for download. Still awaiting for Product Key.

Windows Live Services Blog Links

2006-11-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

Windows Live Services
http://ideas.live.com

Windows Live Mail Team Blog
http://mailcall.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Mail Support Team Blog
http://mail-support.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Spaces Team Blog
http://livecom.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta
http://morethanmail.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live OneCare Family Safety
http://familysafety.spaces.live.com/

Custom Domains
http://customdomains.spaces.live.com/

Inside Windows Live Messenger:
http://messengersays.spaces.live.com/

OfficeLiveBlog
http://officeliveblog.spaces.live.com

Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Step-By-Step Guide

2006-11-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

Microsoft latest article on Volume Licensing changes in Vista & Longhorn Server.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/volact1.mspx

Windows Vista RTM

2006-11-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

Two small words by Jim Allchin says it all

It time!

Great to read after a real long wait after XP

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/11/08/it-s-time.aspx

RTM : Nov 8, 2006
Public Release : Jan 30, 2007

Office 2007 RTM

2006-11-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

Office 2007 is Golden

www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/nov06/11-062007OfficeRTMPR.mspx

Starting Dec. 1 in the U.S. and Canada, and coming soon after to an additional 13 international markets,* Microsoft will make available free, downloadable product trials via Office Online. Expanding on the Online Test Drive already available today, the trials will allow people to try the new desktop programs before they decide to buy or upgrade to the 2007 release

To support purchase and adoption, the 2007 release of Microsoft Office includes the largest investment in deployment and management tools in the product’s history. IT professionals can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of desktop deployments and upgrades by utilizing resources such as the Office Migration Planning Manager, Open XML Formats Conversion Toolkit, the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Solution Accelerator, the Office Resource Kit, and more

Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP

2006-11-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

Windows Media Player 11 released for Windows XP

Download Link

Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1d224714-e238-4e45-8668-5166114010ca&DisplayLang=en

Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP (64-bit)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c6a4cecb-9cb2-42f7-8814-7cb5067ee958&DisplayLang=en

Internet Explorer 7 Released to Web

2006-10-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Internet Explorer 7 Released.

Office 2007 and Windows Vista on its Way

Windows XP SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9ae91ebe-3385-447c-8a30-081805b2f90b&DisplayLang=en

Windows Server 2003 SP1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bc327d94-4f2c-481f-8595-fa5b90b11bfc&DisplayLang=en

Windows 64bit Server/Client
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5bb6ebf0-86d0-4800-a1ba-5360f1d086c9&DisplayLang=en

Windows Server 2003 IA64
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7fb70f91-d2eb-4710-9bff-bad7be9d4862&DisplayLang=en

Windows Vista RC2 CPP Download

2006-10-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview/start.mspx

The is the last released build to testers before RTM

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc2/en/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc2/en/x86/iso/vista_5744.16384.061003-1945_x86fre_client-lrmcfre_en_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc2/en/x64/iso/vista_5744.16384.061003-1945_x64fre_client-lrmcxfre_en_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc2/de/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc2/de/x86/iso/vista_5744.16384.061003-1945_x86fre_client-lrmcfre_de_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc2/de/x64/iso/vista_5744.16384.061003-1945_x64fre_client-lrmcxfre_de_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc2/jp/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc2/jp/x86/iso/vista_5744.16384.061003-1945_x86fre_client-lrmcfre_ja_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc2/jp/x64/iso/vista_5744.16384.061003-1945_x64fre_client-lrmcxfre_ja_dvd.iso

Beta2 and RC1 product keys would work on this build

MSFT Article : 4 steps to set up your home wireless network

2006-10-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

Nice Article for Setting up Wireless Network @ Home

Original Article @ Microsoft site with diagram
Refer to https://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx

You can use a wireless network to share Internet access, files, printers, and more. Or you can use it to surf the Web while you're sitting on your couch or in your yard. Plus, it's easier to install than you think.

There are 4 steps to creating a wireless network:

1.
Choose your wireless equipment

2.
Connect your wireless router

3.
Configure your wireless router

4.
Connect your computers

For Windows XP users, Windows XP Service Pack 2 is not required for wireless networking, but it does make things much easier. Service Pack 2 also helps protect you against hackers, worms, and other Internet intruders. To install Service Pack 2, visit the Protect Your PC site.

1.
Choose your wireless equipment

The first step is to make sure that you have the equipment you need. As you're looking for products in stores or on the Internet, you might notice that you can choose equipment that supports three different wireless networking technologies: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. We recommend 802.11g, because it offers excellent performance and is compatible with almost everything.

Shopping list

• Broadband Internet connection

• Wireless router

• A computer with built-in wireless networking support or a wireless network adapter

A wireless router

The router converts the signals coming across your Internet connection into a wireless broadcast, sort of like a cordless phone base station. Be sure to get a wireless router, and not a wireless access point.

A wireless network adapter

Network adapters wirelessly connect your computer to your wireless router. If you have a newer computer you may already have wireless capabilities built in. If this is the case, then you will not need a wireless network adapter. If you need to purchase an adapter for a desktop computer, buy a USB wireless network adapter. If you have a laptop, buy a PC card-based network adapter. Make sure that you have one adapter for every computer on your network.

Note: To make setup easy, choose a network adapter made by the same vendor that made your wireless router. For example, if you find a good price on a Linksys router, choose a Linksys network adapter to go with it. To make shopping even easier, buy a bundle, such as those available from D-Link, Netgear, Linksys, Microsoft, and Buffalo. If you have a desktop computer, make sure that you have an available USB port to plug the wireless network adapter into. If you don't have any open USB ports, buy a hub to add additional ports.

2.
Connect your wireless router

Since you'll be temporarily disconnected from the Internet, print these instructions before you go any further.

First, locate your cable modem or DSL modem and unplug it to turn it off.

Next, connect your wireless router to your modem. Your modem should stay connected directly to the Internet. Later, after you've hooked everything up, your computer will wirelessly connect to your router, and the router will send communications through your modem to the Internet.

Next, connect your router to your modem:

Note: The instructions below apply to a Linksys wireless router. The ports on your router may be labeled differently, and the images may look different on your router. Check the documentation that came with your equipment for additional assistance.

• If you currently have your computer connected directly to your modem: Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer, and plug it into the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on the back of your router.

• If you do not currently have a computer connected to the Internet: Plug one end of a network cable (included with your router) into your modem, and plug the other end of the network cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router.

• If you currently have your computer connected to a router: Unplug the network cable connected to the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port from your current router, and plug this end of the cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless router. Then, unplug any other network cables, and plug them into the available ports on your wireless router. You no longer need your original router, because your new wireless router replaces it.

Next, plug in and turn on your cable or DSL modem. Wait a few minutes to give it time to connect to the Internet, and then plug in and turn on your wireless router. After a minute, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your wireless router should light up, indicating that it has successfully connected to your modem.

3.
Configure your wireless router

Using the network cable that came with your wireless router, you should temporarily connect your computer to one of the open network ports on your wireless router (any port that isn't labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN). If you need to, turn your computer on. It should automatically connect to your router.

Next, open Internet Explorer and type in the address to configure your router.

You might be prompted for a password. The address and password you use will vary depending on what type of router you have, so refer to the instructions included with your router.

As a quick reference, this table shows the default addresses, usernames, and passwords for some common router manufacturers.

Router Address Username Password
3Com
http://192.168.1.1
admin
admin

D-Link
http://192.168.0.1
admin

Linksys
http://192.168.1.1
admin
admin

Microsoft Broadband
http://192.168.2.1
admin
admin

Netgear
http://192.168.0.1
admin
password

Internet Explorer will show your router's configuration page. Most of the default settings should be fine, but you should configure three things:

1.
Your wireless network name, known as the SSID. This name identifies your network. You should choose something unique that none of your neighbors will be using.

2.
Wireless encryption (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which help protect your wireless network. For most routers, you will provide a passphrase that your router uses to generate several keys. Make sure your passphrase is unique and long (you don't need to memorize it).

3.
Your administrative password, which controls your wireless network. Just like any other password, it should not be a word that you can find in the dictionary, and it should be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Be sure you can remember this password, because you'll need it if you ever have to change your router's settings.

The exact steps you follow to configure these settings will vary depending on the type of router you have. After each configuration setting, be sure to click Save Settings, Apply, or OK to save your changes.

Now, you should disconnect the network cable from your computer.

4.
Connect your computers

If your computer does not have wireless network support built in, plug your network adapter into your USB port, and place the antenna on top of your computer (in the case of a desktop computer), or insert the network adapter into an empty PC card slot (in the case of a laptop). Windows XP will automatically detect the new adapter, and may prompt you to insert the CD that came with your adapter. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the configuration process.

Note: The steps below only apply if you're using Windows XP Service Pack 2. If you're running Windows XP and you don't have Service Pack 2 yet, plug your computer into your wireless router and download and install Service Pack 2 from the Protect Your PC site.

Windows XP should show an icon with a notification that says it has found a wireless network.

Follow these steps to connect your computer to your wireless network:

1.
Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, and then click View Available Wireless Networks. If you run into any problems, consult the documentation that came with your network adapter. Don't be afraid to call their tech support.

2.
The Wireless Network Connection window should appear and you should see your wireless network listed with the network name you chose. If you don't see your network, click Refresh network list in the upper-left corner. Click your network, and then click Connect in the lower-right corner.

3.
Windows XP prompts you to enter a key. Type the encryption key that you wrote down earlier in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes, and then click Connect.

4.
Windows XP will show its progress as it connects to your network. After you're connected, you can now close the Wireless Network Connection window. You're done.

Note: If the Wireless Network Connection window continues to show Acquiring Network Address, you may have mistyped the encryption key.

Vista RC1 Sept 2006 CPP released

2006-09-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has just released an updated version of Windows Vista to technical beta testers. Build 5728 is available in either x86 or x64 flavors right now on Microsoft Connect.

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/en/download-5728.htm
x86
vista_5728.16387.060917-1430_x86fre_client-LRMCFRE_EN_DVD.iso, 2,622.25 MB

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/en/x86/iso/vista_5728.16387.060917-1430_x86fre_client-lrmcfre_en_dvd.iso

x64
vista_5728.16387.060917-1430_x64fre_client-LRMCxFRE_EN_DVD.iso, 3,628.64 MB

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/en/x64/iso/vista_5728.16387.060917-1430_x64fre_client-LRMCxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

Note: Your Beta 2/RC1 product keys will still be valid for this version.

Windows Vista RC1 CPP Download

2006-09-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview/start.mspx

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/en/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/en/x86/iso/vista_5600.16384.060829-2230_x86fre_client-lr1cfre_en_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/en/x64/iso/vista_5600.16384.060829-2230_x64fre_client-lr1cxfre_en_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/de/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/de/x86/iso/vista_5600.16384.060829-2230_x86fre_client-lr1cfre_de_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/de/x64/iso/vista_5600.16384.060829-2230_x64fre_client-lr1cxfre_de_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/jp/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/jp/x86/iso/vista_5600.16384.060829-2230_x86fre_client-lr1cfre_ja_dvd.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/rc1/jp/x64/iso/vista_5600.16384.060829-2230_x64fre_client-lr1cxfre_ja_dvd.iso

You will need to sign up to get a trial Product Key

New Signup for Trial will start in coming weeeks

150th Comic @TheComicProject

2006-08-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mega 150th Comic up on TheComicProject

Also new download link posted

http://thecomiclinks.blogspot.com/

Microsoft Windows XP Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

2006-07-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

New OS released for old hardware from MS

Nice article on Bink.nu

Virtual Server for Free

2006-07-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

MS Virtual Server 2005 R2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/software/default.mspx

Microsoft Virtual PC 2004
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/downloads/sp1.mspx

VMware Server 1.0
http://www.vmware.com/products/server/

http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmserver/VMware-server-installer-1.0.0-28343.exe
http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmserver/VMware-server-linux-client-1.0.0-28343.zip
http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmserver/VMware-server-win32-client-1.0.0-28343.zip
http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmserver/VMware-server-1.0.0-28343.i386.rpm

Tech Doc
http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/

Windows Vista Beta2 CPP Download

2006-06-09T05:01:00.000-07:00

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/en/x86/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x86/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_EN_DVD.iso
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/en/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_EN_DVD.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/de/x86/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/de/x86/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_DE_DVD.iso
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/de/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_DE_DVD.iso

http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/beta2/jp/x86/download.htm

http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/jp/x86/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x86fre_client-LB2CFRE_JA_DVD.iso
http://download.windowsvista.com/dl/preview/beta2/jp/x64/iso/vista_5384.4.060518-1455_winmain_beta2_x64fre_client-LB2CxFRE_JA_DVD.iso

You will need to sign up to get a trial Product Key

2007 Office Beta 2 Download

2006-05-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Office 12 renamed to Microsoft Office 2007 System and now named as 2007 Microsoft Office System Beta 2 has been released to testers.

Everyone can download trial version from Ms site

http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/programs/default.mspx

Gmail Hosted Invite

2006-05-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

Just received invitation for previous beta testing forms submitted.

nikhilbendre.info

bendre.org

nikhilbendre.com

August23.info Update

2006-04-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just got accepted for Gmail Email hosting
Now Email hosting for August23.info now hosted on "Gmail for Domain"

Access to Control Panel for managing settings and users @

http://www.google.com/hosted/august23.info

and can access Emails from Gmail Site

MS OfficeLive Beta Testing

2006-04-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

Just recd a MS OfficeLive ProductKey.

Registered a new Domain bendre.org for Beta testing.

Getting the site setup in coming days...

Nikhil

2006-03-28T18:46:00.000-08:00

Nikhil is a word in Hindi and Sanskrit that means "All", "Entire", "Complete", or "Whole" as in the Universe. Sanskrit fragmentation of the word yields: Ni (without) + Kh (sky or boundary) + L (agreed or liked) . It is also a popular male name amongst Hindus. Akhil is a similar-sounding synonym of Nikhil in Hindi and Sanskrit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikhil

Windows Starter 2007

2006-03-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

Windows Starter 2007 Beta edition now listed on Ms Connect site for testing.

You can sign-up for this on http://connect.microsoft.com
Click Available Programs and click apply to Windows Starter 2007 Beta

Still no Downloads or ProductKeys listed.

Upgrade Windows 2003 to Windows 2003 R2

2006-02-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

This article discusses how to upgrade Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) to Windows Server 2003 R2. This article does not discuss how to upgrade earlier versions of the Windows operating system to Windows Server 2003 R2. This article assumes that Windows Server 2003 SP1 is already installed.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;912309

100th Comic

2006-02-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

TheComicProject just posted 100th comic...

This site just brings back old memories :-)

Keep the good work going fellows .. awaiting the next century

Windows LiveMail Support

2006-02-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

The Windows Live Mail Support team has just launched http://spaces.msn.com/mail-support/, a blog dedicated to helping Windows Live Mail users like you get answers to the most common problems. They'll continue to update the blog as they find out about more common issues

http://spaces.msn.com/mail-support/

Blog of WindowLiveMail Team
http://spaces.msn.com/mailcall/

Google Beta Testing "Gmail For Your Domain"

2006-02-17T03:10:00.000-08:00

From slashdot.org

"Google is looking for organizations to beta test its new hosted email service. From the information page: 'This special beta test lets you give Gmail, Google's webmail service, to every user at your domain. Gmail for your domain is hosted by Google, so there's no hardware or software for you to install or maintain.' The beta test is limited, but Google is accepting open applications."

https://www.google.com/hosted/Home

Currently San José City College testing this beta

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/big-mail-on-campus.html

Have applied for hosting the email service for my domain. Just keeping my fingers crossed. ;-)

OPK eXtender

2006-02-16T22:31:00.000-08:00

OPK eXtender (OPX).The OPX is an OPK powertoy that adds system builder-specific features to the OPK.
Technical Support for the OPX
The OPK eXtender powertoy is in English only. It is not part of the Windows OPK and is not supported by Microsoft. For this reason, Microsoft System Builder Technical Support (sbst@microsoft.com) is unable to answer questions about OPX. If you have any feedback or questions about OPX, please contact us at opx@microsoft.com.

You would also need WindowsXP SP2 OPK to be downloaded from the OEM Builder site

Read the OPX EULA and download the OPX. Regsiterd OEM system builders only

August 23

2006-01-26T20:01:00.000-08:00

you ask why ... August23 ?????

coz that my Birthday!!!!!!!

Here more trivia for that day

August 23 is the 235th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (236th in leap
years), with 130 days remaining

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_23

Chronicles of Narnia

2006-01-26T16:49:00.000-08:00

Narnia is a fantasy world created by the Anglo-Irish author C. S. Lewis as a location for his Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels for children.

In Narnia, animals can talk, mythical beasts abound, and magic is common. The series tracks the story of Narnia from its creation to its end, and especially the stories of those humans, usually children, who enter the land from 'our world'.

More info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narnia

Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition

2006-01-18T15:24:00.000-08:00

Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition
An Exploration by Dan Goodell

Recent Dell computers are shipped with three partitions: a hidden Dell
Utility partition, the main (Windows) operating system partition, and
a hidden Dell PC Restore partition. DSR ("Dell System Restore") is a
feature that returns a computer to its "as shipped" state through the
use of the two specialized Dell partitions

http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Evaluation

2006-01-18T14:40:00.000-08:00

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Download link
http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/1/7/817afea0-5a51-4fa9-a973-0975f7fb7daf/WS03SP1_RTM_1830_PX6_EN.iso

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Evaluation

2006-01-17T19:34:00.000-08:00

Installing Windows Server 2003 R2 x86
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/R2/trial/installinstruct.mspx
CD 1
http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/e/e/4ee6fe6f-8042-4a02-ba41-08e0d39e9e5a/x11-03905.iso
CD 2
http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/4/3/04359BD1-571C-4114-920A-B5A8952EE92B/srv03_r2_2075_usa_x86fre_adsr2.iso

Installation Instructions for Windows Server 2003 R2 x64
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/R2/trial/installinstructx64.mspx
CD 1
http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/4/6/046ed96b-8376-459d-9046-bcbb9dafe082/x11-04774.iso
CD 2
http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/7/8/97880C8C-5C48-4A53-938E-5CF5D08CCB9B/srv03_r2_2075_usa_x64fre_adsr2.iso

Tools I use

2006-01-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

[Latest Collection - Jan 2006]

Clipcache
http://www.clipcache.com/

ACDSee 2.43
http://www.acdsystems.com

Advanced Disk Catalog
http://www.elcomsoft.com/adc.html

AutoStreamer 1033
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

Bin2Iso
http://www.codeproject.com/tools/Bin2Iso.asp
http://www.weethet.nl/english/cdrw_bintoiso.php

CDImage
Internal Microsoft CD & DVD Image Tool

CDR Label
http://www.cdrlabel.com/

FreePops
http://freepops.org/

PopPeeper
http://www.poppeeper.com/

FTP Server
http://www.pablosoftwaresolutions.com/

HashCalc
A fast and easy-to-use calculator that allows to compute message digests, checksums and HMACs for files, as well as for text and hex strings. It offers a choice of 13 of the most popular hash and checksum algorithms for calculations
http://www.slavasoft.com/hashcalc/

ISOBuster
The Ultimate CD and DVD data recovery tool !

Rescue lost files from a bad or trashed CD or DVD !
Save important documents, precious pictures or video from the family, your only system backup, ...
IsoBuster can do it all !

IsoBuster is a highly specialized yet easy to use CD and DVD data recovery tool. It supports all CD and DVD formats and all common CD and DVD file-systems (= set of files and folders). Start up IsoBuster, Insert a CD or DVD, select the drive (if not selected already) and let IsoBuster mount the media. IsoBuster immediately shows you all the tracks and sessions located on the media, combined with all file-systems that are present. This way you get easy access, just like explorer, to all the files and folders per file-system. Instead of being limited to one file-system that the OS picks for you, you have access to "the complete picture". Access data from older sessions, access data that your OS (e.g. Windows) does not see or hides from you etc.

Combine this all-revealing functionality with far better read and recovery mechanisms, scanning for lost files functionality, workarounds for a wide range of drive and software bugs, limitations or shortcomings and you have an enormously powerful data recovery tool. IsoBuster is must-have-software for every PC user and is deliberately kept low priced to be able to offer a solution for everybody, even if it is much used in the professional optical and data forensics world.
http://www.isobuster.com/

KeyFinder
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Prodkey
http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/prodkey.php

Neowin UxTheme

NetCaptor
The Best Addon for IE for Tab Browsing
http://www.netcaptor.com

NTinfo - Wininfo, TweakNT

PerfectKeyboard
http://www.pitrinec.com/pkindex.htm

RawWrite
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/rawwrite.htm

ResHack
http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/

RNameIt 3.11
http://www.alltheshareware.com/Rnameit-Software-66629.html

Second Copy
http://www.centered.com/

SysInternals - Process Explorer
http://www.systernals.com

TextView

TreeSize Professional
http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml

VCDGear
http://www.vcdgear.com

WinAmp 2.95
http://www.winamp.com

Winimage7
http://www.winimage.com

WinRar342
http://www.rarsoft.com

StealthDisk
http://www.sgsix.com/

TrueCrypt
http://truecrypt.sourceforge.net

Cryptainer LE
http://www.cypherix.co.uk/cryptainerle/

WinISO 5.3
http://www.winiso.com/

KeePass
http://keepass.sourceforge.net

Microsoft Schedule+ 7.1
Part of MS Office 95 Suite...One of best and small PIM I have used. I might be wrong in this remark If anyone know about other PIM better than this email me.

Passware - Asterisk Key
http://www.lostpassword.com

Other links
http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm

Preserving OEM Pre-Activation when Re-installing Windows XP

2006-01-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

From Microsoft Site

To help minimize the potential impact on licensed users, this whitepaper provides steps licensed end users can take to preserve OEM pre-activation when reinstalling the operating system using any of the four scenarios outlined below (sysprep, OOBEinfo, manual and unattended).

The following product keys should be substituted for XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX in the solutions discussed below.

Windows XP Professional 32 bit
MVF4D-W774K-MC4VM-QY6XY- R38TB

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
XT67V-GY7FW-GR6FR-WDK2C-8T97J

Windows XP Professional x64 bit
FM634-HJ3QK-6QVTY-RJY4R-XCR9J

SQL 2000 Reporting Services Version Details

2005-12-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

For 2000, the version information is located at the bottom of the main page
of your Report Server
RTM: 8.00.743.00
SP1 : 8.00.878.00
SP2 : 8.00.1038.00

The edition information is stored in the following registry key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Reporting Services\ProductCode

Standard: {B19FEFE7-069D-4FC4-8FDF-19661EAB6CE4}
Enterprise: {33FE9EED-1976-4A51-A7AF-332D9BBB9400}
Developer: {2879CA50-1599-4F4B-B9EC-1110C1094C16}
Evaluation: {7C93251A-BFB4-4EB8-A57C-81B875BB12E4}

"Service Pack 1 Setup Error" during installation of Windows 2003 Service Pack 1

2005-12-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

SYMPTOMS
When you run setup installation of Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 on Windows 2003 Data Center

you will prompt with a warning message:

"Service Pack 1 Setup Error

This Service Pack 1 has not been qualified by your hardware vendor for installation on this copy

of Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Server. Please contact your hardware vendor for additional

information on obtaining a Service Pack 1 that has been qualified for your system configuration".

CAUSE
The Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 Installation on Windows 2003 Data Center are block as default

to avoid installation without get full approved to this installation from your "OEM" hardware manufacture.

Note: Installation of Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 is recommended only after your

"OEM" hardware manufacture approved this installation. Skipping this stage may damage your system.

RESOLUTION
The Service Pack 1 installation on Windows 2003 is blocked unless you set a special

registry key.

To set this special registry key, follow the instructions bellow:

1. Go to" Start" -> "Run".

2. Write "Regedit" and press on "Enter" button.

3. Navigate to: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003".

4. Right click and choose "New" -> "DWORD Value".

5.Name the new registry key: "DTCUpdate".

6. Double click on "DTCUpdate" and set its "Value data:" to "1".

7. Reboot the server.

CAUTION: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that can require you to
reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from incorrect
use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
Make sure you back up the registry before making changes to it.

MORE INFORMATION
Overview of Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/overview/datacenter.mspx

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.mspx

A TFTPD32 server as RIS Server

2005-11-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

The Best & Quickest solution provided for booting floppy images and WinPe Iso from Network. All Tools used are FREEWARE....

Windows "Vista" aka Longhorn

2005-10-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

Get the most updated review @ Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

http://www.winsupersite.com/vista/

Windows 2003 Product ID Details

2005-09-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

How to determine the channel that your copy of Windows Server 2003 was obtained through

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 can be obtained through five channels. These channels include the following channels: retail, evaluation, volume licensing programs, OEM, and checked build. You can use several methods to determine the channel that your software was obtained through. Additionally, this article discusses differences that exist between software that is obtained through different channels. It discusses Windows Product Activation and the Product IDs that are generated when you run the Setup program. This article discusses how to use the Product ID to determine the Microsoft Product Code and to determine the channel that your software was obtained through.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=889713

The Comic Project

2005-08-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

Quote from TheComicProject blog

The objective of this project is not to pirate or steal. I grew up on these comics: Phantom, Mandrake, Bahadur: and reading them was so much fun. Yes!! Indrajal Comics!!! Although you will see a few non-indrajal titles, this blog is committed to bring you original Indrajal scans. DEDICATED TO A generation of children growing up on Harry Potter, Cartoon Network and television in general AND Lee Falk

All I can add is don't miss it. Brings back old memories.

Tools I use - [Latest Collection]

2005-07-29T01:02:00.000-07:00

Clipcache
http://www.clipcache.com/

ACDSee 2.43
http://www.acdsystems.com

Advanced Disk Catalog
http://www.elcomsoft.com/adc.html

AutoStreamer 1033
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

Bin2Iso
http://www.codeproject.com/tools/Bin2Iso.asp
http://www.weethet.nl/english/cdrw_bintoiso.php

CDImage
Internal Microsoft CD & DVD Image Tool

CDR Label
http://www.cdrlabel.com/

FreePops
http://freepops.org/

PopPeeper
http://www.poppeeper.com/

FTP Server
http://www.pablosoftwaresolutions.com/

HashCalc
A fast and easy-to-use calculator that allows to compute message digests, checksums and HMACs for files, as well as for text and hex strings. It offers a choice of 13 of the most popular hash and checksum algorithms for calculations
http://www.slavasoft.com/hashcalc/

ISOBuster
The Ultimate CD and DVD data recovery tool !

Rescue lost files from a bad or trashed CD or DVD !
Save important documents, precious pictures or video from the family, your only system backup, ...
IsoBuster can do it all !

IsoBuster is a highly specialized yet easy to use CD and DVD data recovery tool. It supports all CD and DVD formats and all common CD and DVD file-systems (= set of files and folders). Start up IsoBuster, Insert a CD or DVD, select the drive (if not selected already) and let IsoBuster mount the media. IsoBuster immediately shows you all the tracks and sessions located on the media, combined with all file-systems that are present. This way you get easy access, just like explorer, to all the files and folders per file-system. Instead of being limited to one file-system that the OS picks for you, you have access to "the complete picture". Access data from older sessions, access data that your OS (e.g. Windows) does not see or hides from you etc.

Combine this all-revealing functionality with far better read and recovery mechanisms, scanning for lost files functionality, workarounds for a wide range of drive and software bugs, limitations or shortcomings and you have an enormously powerful data recovery tool. IsoBuster is must-have-software for every PC user and is deliberately kept low priced to be able to offer a solution for everybody, even if it is much used in the professional optical and data forensics world.
http://www.isobuster.com/

KeyFinder
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Prodkey
http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/prodkey.php

Neowin UxTheme

NetCaptor
The Best Addon for IE for Tab Browsing
http://www.netcaptor.com

NTinfo - Wininfo, TweakNT

PerfectKeyboard
http://www.pitrinec.com/pkindex.htm

RawWrite
http://uranus.it.swin.edu.au/~jn/linux/rawwrite.htm

ResHack
http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/

RNameIt 3.11
http://www.alltheshareware.com/Rnameit-Software-66629.html

Second Copy
http://www.centered.com/

SysInternals - Process Explorer
http://www.systernals.com

TextView

TreeSize Professional
http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml

VCDGear
http://www.vcdgear.com

WinAmp 2.95
http://www.winamp.com

Winimage7
http://www.winimage.com

WinRar342
http://www.rarsoft.com

StealthDisk
http://www.sgsix.com/

TrueCrypt
http://truecrypt.sourceforge.net

Cryptainer LE
http://www.cypherix.co.uk/cryptainerle/

WinISO 5.3
http://www.winiso.com/

KeePass
http://keepass.sourceforge.net

Microsoft Schedule+ 7.1
Part of MS Office 95 Suite...One of best and small PIM I have used. I might be wrong in this remark If anyone know about other PIM better than this email me.

Passware - Asterisk Key
http://www.lostpassword.com

Remove System Folder from Network Share View

2005-03-04T03:29:00.000-08:00

Hide the Scheduled Tasks and Printers folder in the network share view
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you browse a computer on the network (\\computername), the Scheduled Tasks appears in addition to shared folders and printers.

To hide the Scheduled Tasks from the network share view, try the steps below:

Click Start, Run and type REGEDIT

Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SOFTWARE
\Microsoft
\Windows
\CurrentVersion
\Explorer
\RemoteComputer
\NameSpace

Backup the key by exporting it to a .REG file.

To remove Scheduled Tasks, delete the following key:

{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}

To remove the Printers folder, delete the following key:

{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}

Close Registry Editor.

Just in...

2005-02-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

http://blogshares.com/blogs.php?blog=http://nikhilbendre.blogspot.com

Some Great Tools I use

2005-02-11T04:21:00.000-08:00

KeePass - Password Manager
http://keepass.sourceforge.net
the free, open-source, light-weight and easy-to-use password manager

TrueCrypt - Disk Encryption
http://truecrypt.sourceforge.net
Free open-source disk encryption for Windows XP/2000/2003

2005-02-11T04:14:00.000-08:00

IP Addressing and Subnetting for New Users

What better way to start other than Cisco

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/701/3.html

2005-02-11T03:49:00.000-08:00

Extracting the OEM 9x Preinstallation Wizard from the CD (TTID #208)
Author: Kevin

If you have an OEM Windows 98fe, Windows 98se, Windows 95 CD you can extract the Installation Wizard from it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Open up a MS-DOS Prompt / Command Prompt

Change to your CD-ROM Drive Letter. Example if yout CD-ROM is drive letter is D: type:

D:

Press the key.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next, you will need to change to the proper directory on the CD. Type:

CD\TOOLS\ADMIN

Press the key.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Type in the command to extract the wizard using the following format:

mkcwrt /C:"command.com /C mkcwrt.bat {CD-ROM drive letter} {drive/path}"

Example:
If your CD-ROM drive letter is D: and you would like to extract the wizard to C:\wizard you would us the following command:

mkcwrt /C:"command.com /C mkcwrt.bat D: C:\wizard"

This will launch a second command prompt that extracts the wizard from the CD. It may take several minutes to complete depending on the speed of your CD-ROM.

2005-02-11T03:46:00.000-08:00

Known CD Labels Windows Server 2003
Author: TACKtech Team

This list will be updated as additional information becomes available.
If you find any errors or have additional Windows 2003 CD Labels, Contact Us.

Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (Corporate/VLK | English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition
NRMSVOL_EN

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (Corporate/VLK | English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise
NRMEVOL_EN

Windows 2003 Web Server Edition (Corporate/VLK | English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Web Server Edition
NRMWVOL_EN

Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition
NRMSFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise
NRMEFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Web Server Edition (English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Web Server Edition
NRMWFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (MSDN Academic Alliance | English)^
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition
MSDN Academic Alliance
NRMSFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition Evaluation ISO
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition Evaluation
NRMEEVL_EN
May 25 2003
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (Italian)*
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (Italian)
NRMEFPP_IT
ISO-9660
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Data preparer: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, ONE MICROSOFT WAY, REDMOND WA 98052, (425) 882-8080

Boot Catalog at sector 19 Bootable disk
No emulation
load 4 at 0x7c0 from sector 253

Windows Small Business Server 2003 RC
CD Set: -
Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Disc 1
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83616
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660 (bootable)
NRCFRE1_EN
24 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Disc 2
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83617
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
NRCFRE2_EN
24 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Disc 3
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83618
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
NRCFRE3_EN
23 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
OUTLOOK 2003 Interim Build
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83619
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
OFFICE11
23 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Premium Technologies
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83620
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
PREMTECH
23 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
Resource CD
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83620
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660, Joilet
sbs03pre
1 July 2003
n/a
Prassi PrimoDVD 2.0 - Build 2.0.837

2005-02-11T03:42:00.000-08:00

Batch Guide
Author: Terry Newton

Article mirrored with permission of author. View Original Article.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an attempt at explaining the MSDOS batch language. It is not complete, just the basics. For more information on individual commands refer DOS's built-in HELP command. Some familiarity of DOS is assumed, you should already know what directories are and how to use common commands like CD, MD, DEL, RENAME etc.

Table of Contents
Elements of the batch language
Variables
Redirection and Pipes
Labels, Conditions and Branching
Subroutines, CALL and FOR
Launching programs
The path...
Batch for running a virus scanner
Launching Windows 95 programs and associated files
Menus for programs
Simple example game menu
Using menuing systems
Obtaining user input
Batch routine for entering strings
How to set up SHELL and ANSI
Processing Lists of Data
Demo batches for processing subdirectories
Windows 95 considerations
A method with does not use loadfix.com
Creating and running other programs from batch
batch/qbasic string input routine
batch/qbasic global string change utility
intermixing perl and batch
Making decisions based on the output of a program
All of the examples assume English DOS 6, some may run under DOS 5 but don't count on it. DOS 6 adds features which are very useful to batch programmers, like CHOICE and a version of FIND that returns an errorlevel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elements of the Batch Programming Language
The best way to learn batch is to experiment while referring to the HELP command, it explains everything. Batch programs are essentially sequences of DOS commands that 'type themselves' when the batch file is run.

Batch files consist of control elements, internal DOS commands and external commands or programs. With a little ingenuity one can duplicate most of the functions of a general purpose language, but doing any kind of math is tricky, there are no arithmetic commands at all. For the types of things batch is used for, this is not much of a problem.

Variables
Batch uses the percentage sign (%) to mark variables. The set command is used to assign and clear variables. When DOS reads the batch file, strings like copy %var1% %var2% will be expanded to read say copy source.fil dest.fil (assuming that's what they're set to) before feeding the line to the command interpreter. %% is reduced to % when interpreted, so the at-the-prompt commandfor %a in (1 2 3) do echo %a has to be written in a batch file as for %%a in (1 2 3) do echo %%a.

Variable names have eight significant characters (I think) and are always stored as upper case (except for the 'windir' variable added by Windows). [Testing under Win95 shows that variable names can be longer than 8 characters and all characters are significant, can't say about Dos 6.] In addition to user-set variables, the entire command line is passed to the batch as the read-only variables %0 to %9. %0 is the actual batch name as typed, the rest are parameters. The shift command moves everything down by one allowing parameters past the ninth to be retrieved (this wipes out the %0 parameter so if used for the batch to call itself it must be saved to another variable).

The following batch illustrates the use of variables...

@echo off
set var1=Hello
set var2=World
echo %var1% %var2%!
set var1=
set var2=

Explanation - the first line prevents the commands from being displayed, the @ in @echo off keeps that line from displaying. The set command is used to set two variables to "Hello" and "World". Next, echo is used to display the two variables to the screen followed by "!" producing the classic Hello World! display. Finally the two variables are cleared to keep them from needlessly consuming environment space.

Speaking of environment, you should specify more space than stock DOS gives you by using a CONFIG.SYS line similar to...

shell=c:\command.com /e:1024 /p

The number after /e: specifies how much space to set aside, usually 1024 is plenty. You can also execute command /e:5000 /c progname if you need a bunch of space. This can be included inside the batch itself. For quickies, especially if you wish to restore all variables to their original state after testing something, just enter command /e:5000. Type exit to quit the command shell and return to the previous environment.

Redirection and Pipes
Normally, input is taken from the keyboard and output goes to the console. Redirection allows input and output to refer to a file or device instead. Pipes allow the output of one program to be used as input to another program. These symbols only work with programs that read from "standard input" and write to "standard output" but fortunately this includes most DOS commands.

The < symbol causes file to be fed to the program as input.
The > symbol causes the program's output to be sent to the following file or device.
The >> symbol causes the program's output to be appended to the file or device.
The | symbol (the pipe) causes the output of the preceding program to be sent to the following program.
The following example shows how to use redirection with the FIND command...

@echo off
find %1<%2>nul
if not errorlevel 1 echo %2 contains %1

If saved as say DOESIT.BAT, entering doesit "Word" text.fil will print text.fil contains "Word" if the file TEXT.FIL contains the string "Word" (at least under DOS 6). Since we're not interested in the actual output of the FIND command, it is redirected to the nul device.

Labels, Conditions and Branching
A label is any line that begins with a colon. Comments in batch code can be made by using a double-colon, this is better than using the REM command because labels are processed before redirection symbols. :: causes no problems but rem produces errors.

The goto command is used to transfer control to another part of the batch file. For example...

:: test goto's
@echo off
goto start
*** This text can be anything ***
*** because it will never run ***
:start
echo Done.

The decision mechanism in batch is the if command. It can be used to compare one string to another, determine if a file exists or determine the errorlevel returned by a previous command. If the evaluation is true, the rest of the command is executed. The not modifier reverses the evaluation results. Examples...

if not %var%.==. goto got_var
if exist MYFILE.DAT goto got_file
if errorlevel 5 echo Errorlevel is equal or greater than 5
if not errorlevel 4 echo Errorlevel is less than 4

Notice the periods in the if %var%.==. example, they keep empty variables from producing syntax errors. '%var%. is equal to . only if the string is empty. The way the command is worded it branches to :got_var only if %var% is not empty. Read the wording in the if errorlevel command, any errorlevel equal or greater than 5 is evaluated as true.

Subroutines, CALL and FOR
Most of the elements are in place, but still no subroutines. These can be tackled either by defining a return value and GOTO'ing the routine, which GOTO's to the value of the return variable upon completion. For example...

set return=next1
goto subroutine
:next1
-- bla bla --
goto end
:subroutine
-- bla bla --
goto %return%
:end

A more elegant way is to use a branch at the top of the batch that branches to the subroutine. This can be combined with the for and call commands to perform a sequence of steps. Here is an example that prints the names of files in the current directory matching filespecs on the command line...

@echo off
if %1.==Sub. goto %2
for %%a in (%1 %2 %3 %4 %5) do call %0 Sub printname %%a
goto end
:printname
echo %3
:end

Launching programs
One of the most useful aspects of batch is its ability to set up custom environments for running programs. Here is a typical made-up scenario: Suppose you have a game that requires you to change to say the C:\GAMES\MUT then run the program MUTANT with the command line parameter /NSB. Rather than typing all that, just put it into a batch and place it in a path directory.

The path - this is a list of directories held in the %PATH% variable that DOS uses to find programs without having to specify the directory it's in. For example, the default path in a simple setup might read (from autoexec.bat)...

path C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:

Each directory is separated by a semicolon. When a command is typed first DOS tries the current directory. If not there it begins searching each directory listed in the path line. It is convenient to place batch files in a path directory. If you haven't done so yet, make the directory C:\BATCH (for example) and add it to the path line, as in...

path C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\;C:\BATCH

Any batch file now placed in C:\BATCH can be run from anywhere without having to change directories. Now, back to the mythical example, let's put all of the required commands into a file called say MUTANT.BAT and place it in C:\BATCH (on the path now)...

@echo off
c:
cd \games\mut
mutant /NSB

The first line turns off command echo (contained at the beginning of almost all batch files), the next line ensures the C drive is active, then it changes to the correct directory using the cd command and runs the game with the correct command line parameter.

Here is an example for a virus scanner that does not change the current directory, but instead calls a program in another directory. In this particular example, if the batch is called without parameters defaults are supplied instead...

@echo off
set parm=%1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
if %1.==. set parm=. /nomem /sub
c:\scanners\scan\scan.exe %parm%
set parm=

The specific commands, directories and parameters will vary depending on the software and where it is installed. The command line is stored in the variable %parm%, if the first parameter %1 is empty, %parm% is set to a useful default, for SCAN this translates to "scan the current and all subdirectories under it, do not scan memory". If this batch was saved as say SCN.BAT into a path directory (got that C:\BATCH directory yet?) any directory branch may be scanned by just typing SCN instead of having to type the directory\command parameters.

Launching Windows 95 programs and associated files...

Windows 95 has a built-in utility for launching Windows programs and files that are associated with Windows programs directly from batch, a very useful addition! Previously this required special utilities to "bridge the gap". The basic syntax is simple...

start /w filename [command line arguments]
The full filename with directory information must be specified if not in the current directory or on the path, as usual. If filename is a long filename or contains spaces, enclose it in quotes. The /w option causes the batch to wait for the file to be closed before continuing with the batch, otherwise batch processing continues in parallel. Other start options include /m to run minimized and /max to run full screen. For example...

start /w /max "C:\Program Files\Myprogram\readme.txt"
Anything that can be double-clicked to run can be launched with start. One very useful application of this is running Windows files from inside a dos-based zip file viewer like AView that allows different viewers to be set up for various extensions. Here is a general purpose viewer for using with dos programs...

:: RUNAFILE.BAT (for example)
@echo off
start /w %1
Windows will figure out what to launched based on the selected file's extension.

Menus for programs
The CHOICE command that comes with DOS 6 is handy for creating custom menus for DOS programs as well as simple Yes/No questions. Here is a simple menu for a few games...

@echo off
:menu
c:
cd\games
cls
echo GAMES MENU
echo ==========
echo.
echo 1 - Doom
echo 2 - Raptor
echo 3 - FlightSim
echo 4 - Lotus
echo.
echo Q - Quit
choice /c:1234Q>nul
if errorlevel 5 goto done
if errorlevel 4 goto lotus
if errorlevel 3 goto flightsim
if errorlevel 2 goto raptor
if errorlevel 1 goto doom
echo CHOICE missing
goto done

:doom
cd doom
doom
goto menu

:raptor
cd raptor
rap
goto menu

:flightsim
d:
cd\fs4
fs4
goto menu

:lotus
cd lotusdrv
lotus
goto menu

:done

The idea is simple, set up initial conditions, in this case change to the C: drive and the \games directory, print a menu using ECHO commands (use echo. to print a blank line) then run the CHOICE command with the parameter /c:1234Q (the valid choices) and redirect it to >nul so it doesn't mess up the screen. After the user makes a decision, the errorlevel returned depends on which one was picked, selecting Raptor for example returns errorlevel 2. They are listed backwards because "if errorlevel 2 do something" really means "if the errorlevel is 2 or greater do something".

ANSI codes can be used to spruce up menus like these, even decent interfaces can be constructed in color using nothing but batch code. Several menu utility programs are also available that are called from batch.

Using menuing systems...
Several freeware, shareware and commercial menuing programs are available that let you create nice-looking menus for your system. They're not as fun as doing it entirely in batch but they can be more productive.

A more elaborate program is something called GO-MENU from an archive called DOSVAR20 from Pinnacle Software. The shareware program was something for manipulating strings (and was never even run) but GO-MENU.EXE is great. Here is its help screen when run with "/?"...

GO-MENU v1.21A -- Copyright (C) 1991,92 Pinnacle Software (Montreal)

Purpose: Displays a menu of up to 10 items
Author: Tim Campbell (Dial 514-345-9578; GEnie T.CAMPBELL11)
Format: GO-MENU [menu-file-name] [nnn] [save-file-name]
Parms: Specify nnn to save & read last selection
nnn is a save index from 0 to 255
save-file-name is the file that holds up to 256 saves
Program can continue if create or read of save file fails
Defaults: menu-file-name = GO-MENU.MNU
save-file-name = GO-MENU.SAV
Menu File: Line 1 Menu heading
Line 2+ Menu lines
Note: Lines starting with ; are ignored
Returns: 1 - 10 depending on menu selection
200 if user pressed Esc in menu
250 for help request (this display)
255 for program error

Here is an example of how I use it, extracted from my master system batch...

@echo off

--- stuff ---

:menu
c:
cd go-menu user.mnu
if errorlevel 11 goto exit
if errorlevel 10 goto boot1
if errorlevel 9 goto pic
if errorlevel 8 goto tape
if errorlevel 7 goto scanners
if errorlevel 6 goto editfiles
if errorlevel 5 goto sysinfo
if errorlevel 4 goto house
if errorlevel 3 goto setevars
if errorlevel 2 goto prompt
if errorlevel 1 goto windows
goto menu

:windows
win
goto menu

:prompt
command /e:2048
goto menu

--- more menus etc ---

This is the text file USER.MNU to define the menu text...

My Computer System
Run Windows
Run DOS Prompt
Set Environment
HouseKeeping Utilities
System Information
Files / Environment
Scanners
Backup
PIC Menu
Reboot

I have no idea if GO-MENU is freeware, shareware or isn't even supposed to be used but it does work well. You can probably find it in the SimTel archives. Look for "DOSVAR20.ZIP". Many others are available, enough to cause mental overload actually. Some of them can create very elaborate screens once you master their convulted syntax (I haven't...).

Obtaining User Input
The CHOICE command is fine for asking limited-choice questions but it is no-good for getting real strings like a filename. There are two approaches that can be taken - use an external COM file like SENVAR.COM that directly sets a variable entered by the user. Or you can do it completely in batch. I've seen a couple of variations to this technique, one is contained in Dirk Van Deun's Collection of Batch Techniques file. The one I've been using originated from a computer magazine, I've modified it to put the temp files in C:\DOS to avoid accidentally overwriting 'ENTER.BAT'. You might need to change the directory, or just eliminate it altogether.

@echo off
:: based on batch from PC Magazine June 27, 1995 page 248
:: this version puts temps in C:\DOS dir and shortens var names
:: User input is returned in variable STR
:input
> C:\DOS\en#er.bat fc con nul /lb1 /n|date|find " 1: "
> C:\DOS\enter.bat echo set str=
>>C:\DOS\enter.bat echo :loop
>>C:\DOS\enter.bat echo if not '%%str%%==' set str=%%str%% %%5
>>C:\DOS\enter.bat echo if '%%str%%==' set str=%%5
>>C:\DOS\enter.bat echo shift
>>C:\DOS\enter.bat echo if not '%%5==' goto loop
call en#er.bat
del C:\DOS\enter.bat
del C:\DOS\en#er.bat

Simply "call input.bat" (assuming that's what it's named) and the user string is returned in the %str% variable. If this routine is included in the batch program itself, set a return variable and call it like a subroutine as in...

echo Enter filename...
set return=here
goto input
:here
echo You entered %str%
set return=
goto done

:: above input routine
:input
:: ...
goto %return%

:done

A simpler way to call it is to use a universal branch at the top of the batch...

@echo off
if .%1==.Loop goto %2

then when you want input do a...

echo Enter filename...
call %0 Loop input
:: filename in %str%

When using batch input routines, do not enter redirection symbols or other stuff that messes up DOS, especially < > and |.

How to set up SHELL and ANSI
To use batch effectively you should check your CONFIG.SYS file for proper settings. To use color you need something like:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS

or if UMBs are available (have a DOS=HIGH,UMB line) use:

DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS

If this line is not present add it with the other DEVICE's, might help if it's first but that probably doesn't matter. When ANSI.SYS is active it interprets escape codes that set screen colors, move the cursor and all kinds of useful things. Type in HELP ANSI.SYS at a dos prompt for a detailed list of the available commands.

Among the commands is the ability to re-define any key to output an entire sequence of keys and commands upon typing the file. Files containing these sequences are known as Key Macros or ANSI Bombs, depending on the commands they contain. I use key macros to redefine my function keys to useful dos commands. I am very used to hitting control-x instead of typing E X I T Return. Just be aware of the potential problem and don't TYPE strange files. Use something like LIST. Other versions of ANSI are available that do not allow key redefinition if this makes you nervous. ThunderByte's anti-virus driver will also prevent key redefinition after it's called, just define what you want defined before calling TBDRIVER.

To prevent out-of-environment errors when running batch files you should also have a SHELL statement in CONFIG.SYS to specify a larger-than-normal environment, something like:

shell=c:\command.com /e:1024 /p

Some computers have COMMAND.COM only in the DOS directory, if there is no COMMAND.COM in the root change 'c:\command.com' to 'c:\dos\command.com' or wherever it is. If a 'set comspec=c:\command.com' line is present it should match the path\filename given in the shell command.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processing Lists of Data
A nagging problem in batch programming is how to take a list of items in a file and do anything useful with it. One solution is to use Ed Schwartz' @.COM program or a similar external utility, but there is a way to do it entirely with batch if certain precautions are taken.

The trick is to take the Dos file LOADFIX.COM and copy it to the filename ENTER.COM then use the DATE command to read the data file and output it as a batch. LOADFIX is a seldom-used command that simply loads and runs program above the first 64K of memory. It doesn't seem to have many uses as intended, but since it merely runs its parameters and it's a COM file it can be very useful for data processing from batches since it can simulate a call command without using 'CALL'. How is this useful? The DATE command outputs the string 'Enter new date (mm-dd-yy): ' then waits for input. If the input is not a valid date, it re-displays the prompt and gets more input until either a valid date or an empty line is entered. This has the effect of prepending 'Enter new date (mm-dd-yy): ' in front of each line of an input file. If LOADFIX were renamed to ENTER then each line will attempt to run NEW and whatever was in the original list shows up as parameter %3 and up. The obvious disadvantage of this technique is the input list cannot contain a valid date! Other than that it looks like a very promising technique.

The following demo batch creates a list of subdirectories then processes the list one item at a time...

:: demo - process subdirectories - by Terry Newton
:: overwrites ENTER.COM DIRFILE$ DIRFILE$.BAT NEW.BAT
@echo off
:: check and branch to subroutine
if .%1==.DoDir goto DoDir
:: prepare ENTER.COM file (change c:\dos\ if different)
copy c:\dos\loadfix.com enter.com > nul
:: prepare a list of fully qualified subdirectories
dir /s /ad /b > dirfile$
:: add a blank line to the end so DATE will exit
echo.>>dirfile$
:: run each line through date to make the list-batch
type dirfile$|date|find "Enter" > dirfile$.bat
:: get rid of the original list
del dirfile$
:: prepare NEW batch to call main program for
:: each item of the list
echo @echo off > new.bat
echo %0 DoDir %%3 >> new.bat
:: now call the list-processing batch
call dirfile$.bat
:: delete the temp files and get out
del dirfile$.bat
del enter.com
del new.bat
goto done
:: This subroutine is called by NEW.BAT for each item
:: in the list plus the blank line at the end
:DoDir
if .%2==. goto done
:: here for each subdirectory with name in %2
echo Looking at subdirectory %2...
::
:done

Be sure that you do not have a NEW.BAT or ENTER.COM program in the current directory, they will be overwritten. In the above example, the DIR /S switch ensures that no item will be a valid date, but if /S were omitted there would be a chance a directory name might just happen to also be a date and cause your system date to be set incorrectly, so be careful when using this technique.

Examples of this technique...

RESETARC.BAT and RESETALL.BAT are a couple of batch files I made for dealing with a tape backup program that doesn't reset the archive attributes on the files it backs up. Yuk! RESETARC resets the archive bits on files in the current directory and all subdirectories below it, RESETALL resets the archive bits on every file on every drive (edit for your system). Although that's an oddball kind of function they make simple templates to use for doing other oddball functions in every directory, just substitute your commands in place of the attrib command.

DIZZY.BAT builds a file containing the contents of all FILE_ID.DIZ files in and under a specified directory. I never knew I had so much stuff!

Windows 95 considerations...

The subroutine demos will work under Windows 95 provided a compatible loadfix.com exists and can be found, and no long directory names are involved. Windows 95 leaves out many old dos commands including loadfix.com, if you haven't already, look for them at Microsoft's site or on the install CD. The main 95 difference for these batches is the /b switch of the DIR command outputs long names, an advantage or disadvantage depending on the application. Most dos commands can handle long filenames (provided they're enclosed by quotes) so if copying or other simple tasks it's no problem. If running an old dos app that does not understand long filenames then about all that can be done is copy the target file to another file first then call the dos app on the shorter name. I have no trick long-to-short name routines but I'm sure it can be done.

The demo code conversions are not too bad, at least for the first six spaces. The main difference is as many parms possible are passed in the code that calls the subroutine, and the subroutine reconstructs the parms into a variable containing the directory name.

:: demo - process subdirectories - by Terry Newton
:: overwrites ENTER.COM DIRFILE$ DIRFILE$.BAT NEW.BAT
:: windows 95 compatible
@echo off
:: check and branch to subroutine
if .%1==.DoDir goto DoDir
:: prepare ENTER.COM file (looks in 2 places, hardcode if different)
if exist c:\dos\loadfix.com copy c:\dos\loadfix.com enter.com>nul
if exist c:\windows\command\loadfix.com copy c:\windows\command\loadfix.com enter.com>nul
:: prepare a list of fully qualified subdirectories
dir /s /ad /b > dirfile$
:: add a blank line to the end so DATE will exit
echo.>>dirfile$
:: run each line through date to make the list-batch
type dirfile$|date|find "Enter" > dirfile$.bat
:: get rid of the original list
del dirfile$
:: prepare NEW batch to call main program for
:: each item of the list
echo @echo off > new.bat
echo %0 DoDir %%3 %%4 %%5 %%6 %%7 %%8 %%9>> new.bat
:: now call the list-processing batch
call dirfile$.bat
:: delete the temp files and get out
del dirfile$.bat
del enter.com
del new.bat
goto done
:: This subroutine is called by NEW.BAT for each item
:: in the list plus the blank line at the end
:DoDir
if .%2==. goto done
:: here for each subdirectory
set dirname=
:DoDirparms
set dirname=%dirname%%2
if .%3==. goto DoDirgotit
set dirname=%dirname% % nullmarker%
shift
goto DoDirparms
:DoDirgotit
echo Looking at subdirectory %dirname%...
::
:done

List processing without loadfix...
Having to locate a possibly non-existent loadfix.com is a hassle to say the least, especially these days. If the list isn't very large and processing time isn't critical, there is another way to work through a list using only common dos commands. The technique is to create a list ending with a blank line, run through date to create a temp batch, so far just like the previous method but instead of creating enter.com, create an enter.bat that sets the variable. When the temp batch runs, only the first enter line will execute, so after it returns use the find /v command to remove the last item processed, then loop until the empty line is encountered. Each item takes a bit longer to process because of the removal step, but in applications where an appreciable time is spent on each item, this doesn't matter much, better to have the simplicity.

A demo that collects and appends all .DIZ files in and below a directory into a single file...

:: find all .DIZ files in and below current directory
:: and append them into a single DIZFILES.TXT file.
:: coded by Terry Newton
@echo off
:: branch if need be
if .%1==.DoFile goto dofile
:: empty the output file
rem > dizfiles.txt
:: create a list of files (/-p in case pause in dircmd)
dir /s /b /-p *.DIZ > lstfile$
:: end with blank line
echo.>> lstfile$
:: run through date to make tempbat
type lstfile$ | date | find "Enter" > lstfile$.bat
:: create an enter.bat to be run by listfile$.bat
echo %0 DoFile %%4 %%5 %%6 %%7 %%8 %%9 > enter.bat
:loop
:: run temp batch
lstfile$.bat
:: ends up here with filename at parm2 and up
:dofile
:: check for exit condition
if .%2==. goto done
:: derive filename from parms
:: (only needed for long names, otherwise refer to %2)
set fname=
:doparms
set fname=%fname%%2
if .%3==. goto gotparms
set fname=%fname% % nullmarker%
shift
goto doparms
:gotparms
:: give operater something to look at
echo Working on %fname%...
:: add filename and file to output file
>> dizfiles.txt echo -------- %fname% --------
>> dizfiles.txt type "%fname%"
>> dizfiles.txt echo.
>> dizfiles.txt echo.
:: done with that file, so remove entry from lstfile$.bat
type lstfile$.bat | find /v "%fname%" > lstfile$.bat
:: and loop
goto loop
:done
:: finished, remove temp files
del enter.bat
del lstfile$.bat
del lstfile$
This demo incorporates Windows-95 compatibility fixes, if your application does not have filenames with spaces in them several lines of code can be saved, so if using Windows 3.1 or Dos, make the "dofile" part like this instead...

:dofile
:: check for exit condition
if .%2==. goto done
:: give operater something to look at
echo Working on %2...
:: add filename and file to output file
>> dizfiles.txt echo -------- %2 --------
>> dizfiles.txt type %2
>> dizfiles.txt echo.
>> dizfiles.txt echo.
:: done with that file, so remove entry from lstfile$.bat
type lstfile$.bat | find /v "%2" > lstfile$.bat
:: and loop
goto loop
Not totally sure (never tried it..) but the quotes around possibly long filenames will probably confuse older doses, something else to watch out for if making batch code that must run on multiple dos versions. One thing for sure, without the quotes it fails under 95 with a "too many parameters" error the first time a space is encountered in a filename.

In all of these demos, lists of filenames are used but the list does not have to be that, it can be a list of anything so long as only the last line is empty and no redirection characters (< > | ) or separators (; , = ) involved. Redirection not enclosed by quotes create errors and unpredictibly-named files, separators are converted to spaces. However processing lists of filenames does seem to be the obvious use.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Creating and running other programs from batch
Often times batch simply is not powerful enough or too slow to do the things that need to be done, this is when other program interpreters like QBasic and even debug can come in very handy. Using debug and assembly code in general is beyond the scope of this text and me also, I learn a few commands and work with them. QBasic isn't hard to learn though, and you do not need to learn everything to be able to use it from batch files. Reading and writing files, doing some mathematical computations (but read on), fancy screen displays and interfaces and many other cool tricks can be accomplished using batch code that writes and runs temporary basic programs. If you look around my batch site you'll find many examples.

User input? The all-batch solution is ok but here's another way...

@echo off
echo>$inp$.bas bad$="<|>=,;":on error goto done
echo>>$inp$.bas ? "Enter something: ";
echo>>$inp$.bas line input a$:if a$="" goto wrbat
echo>>$inp$.bas for i=1 to len(bad$)
echo>>$inp$.bas if not instr(a$,mid$(bad$,i,1))=0 then a$="(error)"
echo>>$inp$.bas next i
echo>>$inp$.bas wrbat:open "$inp$.bat" for output as #1
echo>>$inp$.bas ? #1,"set input=";a$
echo>>$inp$.bas done:close #1:system
qbasic /run $inp$.bas
call $inp$.bat
del $inp$.ba?
echo You entered %input%
How it works... the batch code writes out a temporary basic program and runs it, the basic code prints a prompt, collects a line of user input, checks it for characters that can cause errors and replaces the input line with "(error)" if present, then writes a temporary batch that sets a variable to the input line. After the basic completes, the batch calls the temp batch to set the input variable, deletes the temp files and displays the input variable.

Ok a couple of further explorations... first off if you haven't figured it out, dos doesn't care much where redirection occurs in a command, it makes things look neater if the redirection is immediately after the echo so the remainder resembles what actually gets written, handy anytime creating files with batch but leave "echo." as "echo.>>file". Writing out strings that contain redirection symbols is not a problem, the quotes hide them from dos. The main trick is avoiding errors from < and > characters in math expressions. Fortunately just about any math equation using such characters can be rewritten with not and sgn to avoid the problem. For example, if a > b then... won't work, instead use something like if sgn(a-b)=1 then... In the input example it wasn't if instr(...)<>0 but rather if not instr(...)=0.

Some more basic to batch conversions...

if a < 5 then... if sgn(5 - a) = 1 then...
if a <> 5 then... if not a = 5 then...
if a <= b then... if not sgn(a - b) = 1 then...
When writing any file from batch (this applies to batch, qbasic or anything) the cardinal rules are %% becomes %, variables are substituted with their contents, and the characters < > and | must be enclosed in quotes or not used at all.

Here is another useful newly hacked-out example of using qbasic from batch...

:: CHSTRING.BAT - changes all occurences of one string to
:: another, if newname is not specified overwrites filename
:: under win 95 strings can contain spaces and separators
:: requires at least dos 6 and qbasic.exe
@echo off
:: verify that it has enough parms
if .%3==. echo CHSTRING "matchstring" "newstring" filename [newname]
if .%3==. goto end
:: verify that file is present
if exist %3 goto fileok
echo file %3 not found
goto end
:fileok
:: verify quotes
echo %1|find """">nul
if errorlevel 1 echo no quotes around string(s)
if errorlevel 1 goto end
echo %2|find """">nul
if errorlevel 1 echo no quotes around string(s)
if errorlevel 1 goto end
:: create a custom qbasic program
echo>chstr$$.bas :on error goto done
echo>>chstr$$.bas ls1=len(%1):open "%3" for input as #1
echo>>chstr$$.bas open "newfl$$$" for output as #2
echo>>chstr$$.bas doit:line input #1,a$:if a$="" goto wline
echo>>chstr$$.bas chline:la=len(a$):if sgn(ls1-la)=1 goto wline
echo>>chstr$$.bas b$="":c$="":p=instr(a$,%1):if p=0 goto wline
echo>>chstr$$.bas if not p=1 then b$=left$(a$,p-1)
echo>>chstr$$.bas if not p+ls1=la then c$=right$(a$,la-p-ls1+1)
echo>>chstr$$.bas a$=b$+%2+c$:goto chline
echo>>chstr$$.bas wline:print #2,a$:goto doit
echo>>chstr$$.bas done:close #1:close #2:system
:: run and delete it
qbasic /run chstr$$.bas
del chstr$$.bas
:: move output to appropriate filename
if not .%4==. move newfl$$$ %4>nul
if .%4==. move newfl$$$ %3>nul
:end
How it works... (I hate this part:) The initial batch lines verify the parameters for correctness and if not display various messages. Once it's satisfied with the parms it creates a temporary qbasic program that changes all occurences of "match string" to "new string", writing the results to a temp file. After running and deleting the qbasic program, it checks to see if an output filename was specified, if so it copies the temp output file to that otherwise overwrites the specified file with the changes.

The strings must be enclosed in quotations, under Windows 95 they can contain spaces and separators like commas, under Dos 6 the strings must be all one word without any strange characters, sorry... another Win95 difference, but I like this one. A related feature is specifying long filenames using quotes, many lfn-unaware batches still work if the filenames are quoted to keep the parameters intact.

This is a batch guide, not a qbasic guide so I won't explain the basic part much, qbasic has an extensive on-line help facility that explains what every command does, rather I'll point out conversions needed to make it into a batch. In line 1 of the qbasic code, the ":" before "on error" is there to keep Windows 95 from interpreting the statement as "echo on" and writing "echo is on" to the file instead of the errortrap. Dos 6 doesn't have this "feature" but the fix is easy enough. In line 5, the natural form of the comparison would be "if ls1 < la" but that would create an error situation, so the equivalent comparison "if sgn(ls1-la)=1" is used instead. Line 7.. "if not p=1" instead of "if p > 1" (not equivalent but p is never <0 so it works). Line 8.. "if not p+ls1=la" instead of "if p+ls1 < la" (again not equivalent but...).

Intermixing Perl and Batch...

The following was tested using the Perl for Win32 interpreter, it should work with other Perl 5 complient interpreters if there are any others. To be useful, one usually has to make a batch file for each perl script to run, but the language definition allows for extra code before and after the script code. This makes it very easy to make a perl-to-batch "compiler" that encapsulates the script and allows it to run like a stand-alone program...

:: 'compiles' perl scripts into batch files
:: by Terry Newton, Feb 98
@echo off
if .%2==. echo perl2bat perlfile batfile
if .%2==. goto end
if exist %1 goto compile
echo can't find input file %1
goto end
:compile
echo compiling %1 to %2...
echo>%2 @echo off
echo>>%2 set $bat=%%0.bat
echo>>%2 if not exist %%$bat%% set $bat=%%0
echo>>%2 perl -x %%$bat%% %%1 %%2 %%3 %%4 %%5 %%6 %%7 %%8 %%9
echo>>%2 set $bat=
echo>>%2 goto p2b_end
type %1>>%2
echo>>%2 __END__
echo>>%2 :p2b_end
:end
Up to nine command-line parameters are passed to the script, you can modify the output to include other batch processing that may be needed before and after running the script. Since the batch execution thread never touches the script code there are no limitations on what it contains, so long as it doesn't have a line that begins with ":p2b_end" and I don't think that'll be a problem (if it is edit the two occurences to something else).

How it works... the batch must write out other batch instructions that determine the filename (varies if ran from a command line or from windows) then call the perl interpreter (modify if not "on the path") to run itself using a switch that tells the interpreter to ignore any junk at the beginning. No redirection is needed, so none of those hassles, the only conversion is all the "%" characters in the output are doubled. When written out the loader looks like...

@echo off
set $bat=%0.bat
if not exist %$bat% set $bat=%0
perl -x %$bat% %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
set $bat=
goto p2b_end
[simple perl script]
#!perl
print "Hello World!\n";
__END__
:p2b_end

Neat trick. However it doesn't run from a path directory, for that more batch processing would be necessary. If it becomes too difficult then it's easier just to run with a separate batch...

@echo off
perl c:\whatever\perlscr.pl %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
... and be done with it, even if it is yet another file.

Making decisions based on the output of a program
Often it is necessary to test the output of a program that does not return an errorlevel. The trick is to use the FIND command to search for a specific string in the program's output.

The general method for Dos 6 and above is...

program | find "string" > nul
if errorlevel 1 goto notfound
rem string was found
goto endfind
:notfound
rem string was not found
:endfind
Note - if the letter case of "string" is not known, use find /i "string" instead of find "string".

For checking for more than one string, send the program's output to a temporary file and test that...

program > tempfile
find "string1" < tempfile > nul
if not errorlevel 1 goto 1found
find "string2" < tempfile > nul
if not errorlevel 1 goto 2found
rem no strings found
goto endfind
:1found
rem string1 found
goto endfind
:2found
rem string2 found
:endfind
del tempfile
Dos 5 makes it more complicated, because FIND didn't return an errorlevel until 6. If you're not sure of the target OS a universal approach takes advantage of COPY's refusal to copy empty files...

program | find "string" > temp1
copy temp1 temp2 > nul
del temp1
if not exist temp2 goto notfound
del temp2
rem string found
goto endfind
:notfound
rem string not found
:endfind
Any command or utility that writes to standard out can be used with these methods. A typical example is determining if two files are identical (assumes English, dos 6 or better)...

fc file1 file2 | find "FC: no differences" > nul
if errorlevel 1 goto notequal
rem files are identical
goto donefc
:notequal
rem files are different
:donefc
I've used common names for the temporary files for clarity, but keep in mind that the user might have files with those names which might be overwritten. Better to use cryptic names like [$tmp1$].

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 1998 Terry Newton

2005-02-11T03:39:00.000-08:00

History of Microsoft Windows and MS-DOS
Author: TACKtech Corp.

1975
11/29/1975 "Micro-soft" name used by Bill Gates in a letter to Paul Allen.
11/26/1976 The tradename "Microsoft" is registered.
08/25/1980 Microsoft XENIX OS was announced. XENIX was an enhanced version id the UNIX operating system.
--/--/1981 Microsoft began work on Windows (originally termed the Interface Manager)
08/12/1981 MS-DOS 1.0 shipped with the new IBM Personal Computer
03/--/1983 MS-DOS 2.0 shipped
11/10/1983 Microsoft Windows was announced
11/--/1984 MS-DOS 3.1 is available
11/20/1985 Microsoft Windows 1.0 released
(It was pathetic compared to Apple's Macintosh. It's interface the looked similar to DOS Shell. It contained a few Windows Applications which were able to be cooperatively multitasked.)
04/--/1986 MS-DOS 3.2 ships
1987
04/02/1987 Microsoft Operating System/2 (MS OS/2) announced, as part of a joint agreement between Microsoft and IBM.
04/02/1987 MS-DOS 3.3 announced.
04/02/1987 Microsoft Windows 2.0 announced.
04/02/1987 Microsoft Windows/386 announced.
It was designed to take advantage of the Intel 80386.
Fall/--/1987 Microsoft Windows 2.0 was introduced.
This new version added overlapping windows. PIF files (These told Windows how a DOS application should be run) were added to Windows 2.0.
Late/--/1987 Microsoft Windows/386 released.
Multiple DOS virtual machines was added which allowed the running of multiple DOS applications at the same time in extended memory.
Late/--/1987 Microsoft renamed Windows 2.1 to Win/286.
1988 http://www.tacktech.com
06/28/1988 Microsoft Windows/286 and Windows/386 versions 2.1 announced
07/--/1988 MS-DOS 4.0 released
10/31/1988 David Cutler, formerly of Digital and now working for Microsoft, begins work on Windows NT.
11/--/1988 MS-DOS 4.01 shipped to correct 4.0 problems
1990 http://www.tacktech.com
04/09/1990 Microsoft MS-DOS 4.01 (Russian Version) introduced
05/22/1990 Microsoft releases Windows 3.0. First version of Windows to allow use of memory beyond 640Kb, up to 16MB of RAM with 386 enhanced mode, support for color palettes with more than 16 colors, hierarchical menus, "Program Manager" and "File Manager", private INI files, network support, and API support for combo boxes.
(Over 10 million copies of Microsoft Windows were sold.)
1991 http://www.tacktech.com
10/--/1991 Windows NT is displayed publicly at a demo at COMDEX.
10/20/1991 Microsoft Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions released
06/--/1991 MS-DOS 5.0 shipped. This was the first version of MS-DOS that featured a retail upgrade.
1992 http://www.tacktech.com
04/06/1992 Microsoft Windows 3.1 was released.
TrueType scalable fonts support, Object Linking and Embedding (OLE), mouse trails, and API multimedia and networking support were added.
10/11/1992 Microsoft Windows NT beta program shipped
10/27/1992 Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 released. It added easier, integrated networking.
1993 http://www.tacktech.com
03/--/1993 Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 Beta
03/30/1993 MS-DOS 6.0 upgrade shipped.
This version included DoubleSpace
05/24/1993 Microsoft Window NT formally launched. It was scheduled for release in 60 days.
06/--/1993 Microsoft begins the development of the successor to Windows 3.x which will later be title Windows 95 (code-named Chicago")
08/--/1993 Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 released after five years in development. It consists of over 6 million lines of code.
11/--/1993 MS-DOS 6.2 released.
11/08/1993 Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 was shipped.
This version corrected some network-related problems.
1994 http://www.tacktech.com
03/02/1994 MS-DOS 6.21 ships with drive compression removed due to a law suit.
04/11/1994 MS-DOS 6.22 ships with new DriveSpace drive compression.
Q1/--/1994 Microsoft is planing to release a new version Windows the second half of 1994.
09/06/1994 Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 (code-named Daytona") released. It consists of over 9 million lines of code.
09/08/1994 Microsoft Windows 95 becomes the official name of the new version of Windows code-named "Chicago".
1995 http://www.tacktech.com
06/--/1995 Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 released. Minor release is to support upcoming Windows 95 programs.
08/24/1995 Microsoft Windows 95 released. It include MS-DOS 7.0 v4.00.950
The upgrade consisted of 17cabs. The full version had 28 cabs.
12/--/1995 Microsoft Windows code-named "Nashville" v4.10.999
This was often referred to as Windows 96. It was never release. Windows 98 later included it's features.
1996 http://www.tacktech.com
08/24/1996 Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 released. It consists of over 16 million lines of code.
09/--/1996 Microsoft Windows 95 SR2 released v4.00.950B or v4.00.1111
Microsoft Windows 95 is scheduled for a major overhaul in 1997, code-named Memphis (Windows 98 1st ED).
11/--/1996 Microsoft Windows CE 1.0 released, supporting handheld-PCs
12/--/1996 Microsoft Windows 95 SR2.1
1MB supplement for SR2 named usbsupp.exe. Partial USB support includes host controller and hub drivers, and the HID and Imaging classes. AGP support. Recommended for SR2 users wanting USB.
12/--/1996 Microsoft Windows 95 code-named Detroit (SR3) v4.10.1525.3
This development line attempted to give Windows 95 integrated Internet components. It buggy and unstable. The planned release was Dec. 1996. Microsoft scraped it.
1997 http://www.tacktech.com
07/--/1997 Microsoft Windows 98 (Beta 1), code-named "Memphis" released. v4.10.1525.3 (Also, referred to as Windows 9x and Windows 97) Consisted of 47 cabs with IE4 build 4.71.0913.5. NT kernel and speedier registry handling. Curiously, the version# lines up with W96 (4.10.999). Included Winsock2, multiple display support, a DVD player, DirectX5, USB support, Memphis specific Tweak UI additions, System Optimizer, System Troubleshooter and TV listings software (MS CDF).
09/27/1997 Microsoft Windows NT 5.0 (Beta 1) released. Later known as Windows 2000
11/--/1997 Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 released
12/--/1997 Microsoft Windows SR2.5 v4.00.950C
OEM only release. Mostly identical to SR2, but adds SR2.1 USB/AGP update along with IE4 and DirectX 5. Contained the second USB supplement.
12/--/1997 Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack released
1998 http://www.tacktech.com
06/25/1998 Microsoft Windows 98 released. v4.10.1998.6
Consisted of 69 cabs with IE4 version 4.72.3110. Features: Some NT kernel and speedier registry handling, FAT32.
07/--/1998 Microsoft Windows CE 2.1 released, supporting palm-sized PCs
08/20/1998 Microsoft Windows NT 5.0 (Beta 2) released (code-named "Cairo)
10/27/1998 Microsoft announces that Windows NT 5.0 will be renamed "Windows 2000"
12/16/1998 Microsoft Windows 2000 (RC0) release
1999 http://www.tacktech.com
01/--/1999 Microsoft Windows 98 SP1 (Beta 1) v4.10.2120
Contains Internet Explorer 5 & DX6.1 Delay of beta 2 caused by bugs in IE5 and a memory leak. Microsoft discontinued SP1 in favor a smaller 41MB patch. Microsoft thought it too big for downloading. Microsoft may release an upgrade CD (SP1) which it would sell for a nominal price from it's Webster.
04/29/1999 Microsoft Windows 2000 (Beta 3) released v5.00.2031
05/05/1999 Microsoft Windows 98 SE (second edition) released v4.10.2222.
Contained bug fixes, security fixes, Internet Explorer 5 & DirectX6.1 Also, new functionality and hardware capabilities were added.
07/02/1999 Microsoft Windows 2000 (RC1) released
07/23/1999 Microsoft Windows Millennium Developer Preview 1 released
07/26/1999 Microsoft Windows Millennium Offically Announced
08/--/1999 Microsoft Windows 98 SE update CD available. This CD will upgrade your Windows 98 4.10.1998 to Second Edition. You can order it from Microsoft. (The Windows 98 Customer Service Pack CD just fixes bugs and Y2K issues, )
08/25/1999 Microsoft and Compaq discontinue all Windows NT/2000 development for the Alpha processor
09/15/1999 Microsoft Windows 2000 (RC2) released build 2128
09/23/1999 Microsoft Windows Millennium (Beta 1) - build 4.90.2380.2

Windows Millennium Beta 1 - TechNet Dec. 1999
Build 4.90.2380
IE 5.50.3723.1301 56-bit cipher
OE 5.00.2919.5600
Explorer 5.50.3723.1301
Media Player: 7.00.00.0093
File Dates 09/20/1999 10:00AM
CD Label: WinMil B1
Files on CD Date: 09/22/1999 12:20PM
11/11/1999 Microsoft Windows 2000 (RC3) released v5.00.2183
11/23/1999 Microsoft Windows Millennium (Beta 2) - build 4.90.2419.5

Windows Millennium Beta 2 - TechNet Jan. 2000
Build 4.90.2419
IE 5.50.3825.1300 56-bit cipher
OE 5.50.3825.400
Explorer 5.50.3825.1300
Meda Player: 6.4.07.1028
File Dates 11/17/1999 05:00PM
CD Label: WinMil Beta
Files on CD Date: 11/17/1999 05:00PM
Folder on CD Dates: 11/17/1999 05:00PM
Included CD Sampler
12/15/1999 Microsoft Windows 2000 RTM released (i.e., coding completed)
12/--/1999 Microsoft Windows Whistler build 5.01.xxxx (Later Windows.NET)
Microsoft had three Windows consumer version development lines running. Windows Neptune was the codename for the operating system to follow Windows ME. Windows Odyssey was yet another OS that would follow Windows Neptune. Both have since been cancelled in favor of Whistler which will the first consumer version of the NT code.
2000 http://www.tacktech.com
01/19/2000 Microsoft Windows 2000 MSDN released
01/20/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium (Beta 2 refresh) - build 2452
02/10/2000? Microsoft Windows Whistler build 5.01.2200
02/17/2000 Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Server, and Advanced Server released. v5.00.2195
02/18/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2470
02/25/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2476
03/--/2000 Microsoft Blackcomb is now being developed which will be the follow up to Whistler .
03/03/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2481
03/10/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2487
03/17/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2491
03/27/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2499
03/20/2000? Microsoft Windows Whistler build 5.01.2211.1 leaked on the Web
03/30/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2499.3
04/07/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium (Beta 3) - build 2499.7 completed
04/11/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium (Beta 3) - build 2499.7 released

Windows Millennium Beta 3 - TechNet Jun. 2000
Build 4.90.2499
IE 5.50.4030.2400 128-bit cipher
OE 5.50.4029.2901
Explorer 5.50.4030.2400
Meda Player: 7.00.00.1153
File Dates 04/04/2000 05:00PM
CD Label: WinMEB3
Files on CD Date: 04/04/2000 10:00AM
Folder on CD Dates: 05/11/2000 3:47PM 3:47PM 3:34PM 3:40PM 3:41PM 4:11PM
Included CD Sampler
04/18/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2509
04/21/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2513
04/25/2000 Microsoft showcased 'Whistler' at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC)
04/26/2000? Microsoft Windows Whistler build 5.01.2XXX leaked on the Web
04/28/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium - build 2516
05/09/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (RC0) - build 2525
05/17/2000 Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (RC1) - build 2525.6
06/06/2000? Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (RC2) - build 2535
06/18/2000? Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition when gold (v4.90.3000.2)
Internet Explorer 5.5 is included. New Icons and color scheme like those found in Windows 2000.
Microsoft Windows Whistler Build 2223.1
07/11/2000 Microsoft Windows Whistler Build 2250
07/31/2000 Microsoft Windows 2000 SP1 released
08/31/2000 Microsoft Windows 2001, code-named "Whistler" invites sent to previous beta testers. It is rumored the build 2257 of the Personal and Professional releases are bugged so they will sent the internal, Washington. This feature is currently not included in the Server and Advanced Server versions.
09/14/2000 Microsoft Windows ME to be offically released
10/01/2000 Microsoft Whistler Beta1
12/06/2000 Microsoft Whistler Beta2
2001 http://www.tacktech.com
02/14/2001 Microsoft Whistler RC1
03/21/2001 Microsoft Whistler RC2
04/18/2001 Microsoft Whistler Final Build
2003 http://www.tacktech.com
03/28/2003 Microsoft Releases Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 to Manufacturing

2005-02-11T03:26:00.000-08:00

DVD File/Folder Structure

Explanation:

. BUP = Backup files of the IFO files.

. IFO = The IFO files includes information such as chapters, subtitle tracks and audio tracks.

. VOB = The VOB files contains the actual video,audio,subtitles and menus.

Folder Files Explanation
AUDIO_TS (undefined) DVD Audio
VIDEO_TS VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO The first video play item, IFO, usally a copyright notice or a menu
VIDEO_TS.VOB The first video play item, VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO Title 01, IFO, usually the main movie
VTS_01_0.VOB Title 01, VOB 0, the menu for this title
VTS_01_1.VOB Title 01, VOB 1, the video for this title
VTS_01_2.VOB Title 01, VOB 2, if larger than 1 GB it will be splitted into several vobs
VTS_01_3.VOB Title 01, VOB 3
VTS_01_4.VOB Title 01, VOB 4, up to 10(0-9) VOB files if necassary
VTS_02_0.BUP
VTS_02_0.IFO Title 02, IFO, usually movie extras
VTS_02_0.VOB Title 02, VOB 0, the menu for this title
VTS_02_1.VOB Title 02, VOB 1, the video for this title
VTS_xx_x.BUP
VTS_xx_x.IFO And so on
VTS_xx_x.VOB
VTS_xx_x.VOB
VTS_99_9.VOB Up to 99(1-99) titles with max 10(0-9) VOB files each

2005-02-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

Non-standard special DVD formats:

DVD-VCD
is basicly a VCD authored on a DVD. DVD supports the VCD resolution but the audio has to be resampled to 48 khz. If the audio is resampled to 48 khz it is standard DVD-Video. Read more here how to make a such.

DVD-SVCD
is basicly a SVCD authored on a DVD. DVD do not supports the SVCD resolution but it may anyway work and the audio has to be resampled to 48 khz like the DVD-VCD. Read more here how to make a such and download a DVD Sample including a DVD-SVCD here.

DVD-MP3
is MP3s burned on a DVD but very few MP3 capable standalone DVD Players supports it because most Players verify DVD as DVD-Video only. Check our DVD Players list for compatibility.

DVD-ISO
is MPEG ,MPG, VOB files burned on a DVD without any DVD Authoring(making the vob,ifo files) but very few standalone DVD Players supports it because most Players verify DVD as DVD-Video only. Check our DVD Players list for compatibility.

2005-02-11T03:24:00.001-08:00

DVD Write and read speeds

Single Layer(4.7GB) write speeds
1x (CLV) = about 58 minutes
2x (CLV) = about 29 minutes
2.4x (CLV) = about 24 minutes
4x (CLV) = about 14.5 minutes
6x (CLV/ZCLV) = about 10-12 minutes
8x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 8-10 minutes
12x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 6.5-7.5 minutes
16x (CAV/ZCLV) = about 6-7 minutes

Dual/Double Layer(8.5GB) write speeds
1x CLV = about 105 minutes
2.4x CLV = about 44 minutes
4x CLV = about 27 minutes

Single Layer (4.7GB) read speeds
6x CAV (avg. ~4x) read speed is max 7.93MB/s = ~14 minutes
8x CAV (avg. ~6x) read speed is max 10.57MB/s = ~10 minutes
12x CAV (avg. ~8x) read speed is max 15.85MB/s = ~7 minutes
16x CAV (avg. ~12x) read speed is max 21.13MB/s = ~5 minutes

* write speed time and read speed time is not the same because writing requires some extra steps and also does the faster writing above 6x usually use lower write speeds for some parts of the dvd. 4x DVD speed = 36x CD speed. See section 4.2 in the DVDDemystified FAQ here.

2005-02-11T03:24:00.000-08:00

DVD Sizes

The DVD sizes can be a bit confusing. There are basicly 4 different DVD Sizes,

DVD-5, holds around 4 700 000 000 bytes and that is 4.37 computer GB where 1 kbyte is 1024 bytes* . DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW supports this format. Also called Single Sided Single Layered. This is the most common DVD Media, often called 4.7 GB Media.

DVD-10, holds around 9 400 000 000 bytes and that is 8.75 computer GB. DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW supports this format. Also called Double Sided Single Layered.

DVD-9, holds around 8 540 000 000 bytes and that is 7.95 computer GB. DVD+R supports this format. Also called Single Sided Dual Layered. This media is called DVD+R9, DVD+R DL or 8.5 GB Media.

DVD-18, holds around 17 080 000 000 bytes and that is 15.9 computer GB. DVD+R supports this format. Also called Double Sided Dual Layered.

* In the computer world is 1 KB data = 1024 bytes so 4 700 000 000 bytes / 1024 = 4 589 843KB / 1024 = 4482MB / 1024 = 4.37GB. See section 3.3 in the DVDDemystified FAQ here.

DVD+R/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL and DVD-R/DVD-RW exact sizes
DVD-R/DVD-RW = 4 706 074 624 bytes ( 4488 MB )
DVD+R/DVD+RW = 4 700 372 992 bytes ( 4482 MB )
DVD+R DL = 8 547 993 600 bytes ( 8152 MB )

2005-02-11T03:22:00.000-08:00

DVD

DVD stands for Digital Versatile/Video Disc, DVDR stands for DVD Recordable and DVDRW for DVD ReWriteable. If you're familiar with regular audio/music CDs or regular DVD-Video discs, then you will know what a recordable DVD looks like. A recordable DVD stores up to 2 hours of very good quality DVD-Video, including several audio tracks in formats like stereo, Dolby Digital or DTS and also advanced menu systems, subtitles and still pictures that can be played by many standalone DVD Players and most computer DVD-ROMs. If you choose to lower the video quality it is possible to store several hours video on a recordable DVD using low bitrates and low resolution with video quality more like VHS, SVHS, SVCD, CVD or VCD. It is also possible to have up to 4.37* GB ordinary data or mix DVD-Video and data on a recordable DVD that can be played by most computer DVD-ROMs.

There are three competing DVD Recording standards, DVD-R/DVD-RW and DVD+R/DVD+RW have pretty similiar features and are compatible with many standalone DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs while DVD-RAM has less DVD Player and DVD-ROM compatibility but better recording features.

DVD-R and DVD-RW
DVD-R was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players.
DVD-R is a non-rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD-R and DVD-RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).
These formats are supported by DVDForum.

DVD+R and DVD+RW
DVD+R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 89% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD+R and DVD+RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).
These formats are supported by the DVD+RW Alliance.

DVD+R DL
DVD+R DL or called DVD+R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD+R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95 computer GB* (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9* computer GB (called dvd-18).

DVD-RAM
DVD-RAM has the best recording features but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. Think more of it as a removable hard disk. DVD-RAM is usually used in some DVD Recorders.
This format is supported by DVDForum.

2005-02-11T03:13:00.000-08:00

Default Password List Website Links

http://www.phenoelit.de/dpl/dpl.html

CIRT.Net
http://www.cirt.net/cgi-bin/passwd.pl

2005-02-11T03:10:00.000-08:00

System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) Script File Keys

Article ID : 196667
Last Review : September 9, 2002
Revision : 1.0
This article was previously published under Q196667

On this page
SUMMARY
MORE INFORMATION
REFERENCES

SUMMARY
When you use the Microsoft System Preparation (Sysprep) tool, a wizard runs the next time the computer is started after the tool prepares the computer and copies an image to the computer. You can automate this process by creating a script file. To use Sysprep with a script file, use the following syntax

sysprep.exe

where is the name of the script file.

Note that the script file must contain one section called [NT4Preinstall].
MORE INFORMATION
Script File Keys
You can use the following keys in the Sysprep script file:
Key name: OemSkipEula
Values: Yes | No
Description: This key disables the display of the End User License
Agreement (EULA) when the value is set to Yes. The default
value is No.

Key name: ProductID
Value: xxx-xxxxxxx OR xxxxx-OEM-xxxxxx-xxxxx
Description: This key specifies whether the Product ID screen should be
displayed. The Product ID key is displayed by default.

Key name: FullName
Value:
Description: This key specifies the user's name. If this key is not
specified or the string value is blank, the User Name And
Organization screen is displayed.

Key name: OrgName
Value:
Description: This key specifies the user's organization or company name.
If this key is not specified or the string value is blank,
the User Name And Organization screen is displayed, unless
the FullName key is specified with a valid string value.

Key name: ComputerName
Values: | "Auto"
Description: This key specifies the computer name. If this key is not
specified or the string value is blank, the Computer Name
screen is displayed. The string value must be a minimum of 1
non-white-space character and a maximum of 15 non-white-space
characters.

If this string value is set to "Auto," Setup automatically
generates a unique computer name based on a random number.
This provides a mechanism to install multiple computers with
a unique computer name.

Key name: AdminPassword
Value:
Description: This key specifies the password for the administrator
account. If this key is not specified or the string value is
blank, the Administrator Password screen is displayed. The
string value must be a minimum of 1 non-white-space character
and a maximum of 15 non-white-space characters. To specify a
blank or NULL password use "*".

Key name: OEMBannerText
Value:
Description: This key specifies a string to be displayed in the upper-left
corner of the screen. The text must contain the "Windows NT"
sub-string or it is ignored. You can specify multiple lines
by using the "*" character as a separator.

Key name: OEMLogoBitmapFile
Values: [, ]
Description: This key specifies a bitmap to be displayed in the upper-
right corner of the screen. If this key has only one field,
it is assumed to be a bitmap (.bmp) file located in the
folder in which the System Preparation tool resides. If two
fields are specified, the first field is the name of a
dynamic-link library (DLL) and the second field is a decimal
number that represents the resource ID of the bitmap in the
DLL. The DLL should be located in the folder that contains
Sysprep.exe.

Key name: OEMBackgroundBitmapFile
Values: [,]
Description: This key specifies a background bitmap to display. If this
key has only one field, it is assumed to be a bitmap (.bmp)
file located in the folder in which Sysprep.exe resides. If
two fields are specified, the first field is the name of a
dynamic-link library (DLL) and the second field is a decimal
number that represents the resource ID of the bitmap in the
DLL. The DLL should be located in the folder that contains
Sysprep.exe.

Key name: OEMSkipWelcome
Values: 0 | 1
Description: If this key is set to 1, the Welcome page is skipped. If the
key is set to 0, the Welcome page is displayed.

Key name: OEMNoWaitAfterGUIMode
Values: 0 | 1
Description: If this key is set to 1, the Finished page is not displayed
and the computer is automatically restarted when the wizard
is finished. If the key is set to 0, the Finished page is
displayed and the computer does not automatically restart.

Key name: NoSidGen
Value: Yes | No
Description: This key disables the Security Identification (SID)
modification code. Set this key to Yes to disable the SID
modification code. You might use this value if the computer
is to be preconfigured with system services and access (ACL)
permissions. This allows a system integrator or administrator
to preconfigure a computer and set the computer name,
administrator password, and other settings at the final
location.

NOTE: Do not use this key if you plan to duplicate the
system.

Sample Script File
The following sample file is an example of a Windows NT 4.0 Mini-Setup wizard script:
[NT4Preinstall]
OemSkipEula = Yes
ProductID = 123-4567890
FullName = "Sample Company User"
OrgName = "Sample Company Inc."
ComputerName = "auto"
AdminPassword = "password"

Sysprep.exe Command-Line Switches
Sysprep supports the following command-line switches:
Switch:
Description: Instructs the Windows NT 4.0 Mini-Setup wizard to use the
settings in the specified script file automatically. For
example, the following command specifies that the Mini-Setup
wizard should use the settings in the Nt4setup.inf file:

sysprep nt4setup.inf

NOTE: There is no dash preceding the script file name.

Switch: -quiet
Description: Instructs Sysprep to run without displaying a warning dialog
box. For example, the following command specifies that only
the license information screen should be displayed:

sysprep -quiet

The warning message stating that the computer is going to be
prepared for disk imaging and automatically shut down is not
displayed, and the computer shuts down automatically.

NOTE: The preceding dash is required.

Switch: -reboot
Description: Instructs Sysprep to automatically restart the computer. For
example, the following command specifies that the computer is
restarted automatically instead of being shut down after
Sysprep has finished:

sysprep -reboot

You should not use this switch if you are preparing the
computer for disk imaging. This switch may be useful if you
plan to automate a test process designed to run after Sysprep
has finished.

NOTE: The preceding dash is required.

Switch: -defeat
Description: Instructs Sysprep to run on a computer that has retail
versions of Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Windows NT 4.0
Server and Microsoft Office 97. Normally, Sysprep requires
a Microsoft Select Volume CD-ROM or an OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) CD-ROM installation to run.

The following sample Sysprep command uses all the command-line switches:

sysprep setupscript.inf -quiet -reboot -defeat

REFERENCES
For additional information about Sysprep, please review the Sysprep.doc file that is included with the Sysprep tool.

2005-01-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

Cannot Start Windows XP After You Install Windows 2000

Article ID : 283433
Last Review : November 18, 2003
Revision : 1.0
This article was previously published under Q283433

On this Page
SYMPTOMS
CAUSE
RESOLUTION
STATUS
MORE INFORMATION

SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to start Windows XP after you install Windows 2000, you may receive the following error message:
"Starting Windows...
Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM.

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows 2000 Setup using the original Setup floppy disk or CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."
If the Windows XP install was an upgrade from Windows 2000, you may instead receive the following error message on a blue screen while attempting to start Windows XP:
BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO
STOP 0x00000074
CAUSE
This issue occurs because Windows XP did not exist when Windows 2000 was released. The Windows 2000 bootstrap loader files are not aware of the changes that have been made in Windows XP. The computer needs these changes to load Windows XP.

NOTE: If you attempt to install Windows 2000 in a different partition while the computer is running Windows XP, you may receive the following error message:
This CD-ROM is from an older version of Windows than the one you are presently using. Setup functionality from this disk will be disabled.
RESOLUTION
To work around this issue, start the computer in Windows 2000, and then copy the NTLDR and Ntdetect.com files from the I386 folder on the Windows XP CD-ROM to the root of the system drive.

Even though a workaround for this issue is described in this article, you can only perform a dual Startup when you install Windows XP in a different partition after you install Windows 2000.
STATUS
This behavior is by design. In general, products are not forward compatible with future products because the design updates of future versions are unknown.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want to start multiple operating systems, install each operating system in a different partition in the following order: 1. Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
2. Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
3. Microsoft Windows 2000
4. Microsoft Windows XP
If you do not want to start the computer in all the operating systems that are listed, skip the ones that you do not need. NOTE: Do not convert the hard disk from Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk until you install all of the operating systems that you intend to use. Once you convert the hard disk from Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk, you may be unable to install any other operating systems on that hard disk.

For additional information about dynamic disks, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
175761 Dynamic vs. Basic Storage in Windows 2000
114841 Windows NT Boot Process and Hard Disk Constraints

2005-01-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Read-Only USB Storage

If you've been concerned about the possibility that users in your Windows XP environment might plug in a USB storage key and walk away with hundreds of megabytes of proprietary corporate information, XP Service Pack 2 (SP 2) lets you make USB storage devices read only, removing the possibility of leaking data via a USB key. To configure USB storage for read only, perform the following steps:

1. Launch the registry editor.

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

3. You should see a key called StorageDevicePolicies. If it doesn't exist, create a new key with that name.

4. In the StorageDevicePolicy key, create a REG_DWORD value called WriteProtect.

5. Set the data value of WriteProtect to 1.

6. This value will make USB storage read only. To enable read/write over USB, set the value to 0.

7. Exit the editor.

Make sure that you aren't using other USB storage devices such as hard drives or a CD/DVD writer before you set this registry value.

2004-12-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Daily News
Planet Alignment Could Crash Net
By Martin Stone, Newsbytes.
February 03, 2000

Doomsday forecasters have shifted their attention from the Millennium Bug, which proved to have little bite, to an extraterrestrial occurrence destined to take place May 5, when a cluster of planets will align with the Earth.

Some say the phenomenon has the potential of creating colossal cosmic forces which could severely impact our planet.

Occurring only once every 6,000 years or so, the rare alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon could cause a magnetic surge with the potential to crash power grids, blind satellites, and seriously disrupt radio and landline communications, taking the Internet down in the process.

However, not all astronomers agree that the so-called "grand alignment" will have an effect on terra firma. According to a Canadian newspaper report this week, John Mosely, an astronomer at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, has proclaimed, "There will be no effect whatsoever. It's just complete nonsense." An astronomer at St. Mary's University in Halifax was blunter, calling the fears, "Just a load of crap."

But the same article, filed by the Canadian Press wire service and carried by Monday's Montreal Gazette newspaper, quoted Georgia-based futurist Richard Noone as saying the alignment could trigger a massive magnetic flux and a huge solar storm. "We're talking about a solar mass ejection in which a billion-tonne wave of super-hot, electrically charged gas is discharged from the Sun and crosses space like a giant tidal wave. It would crash into Earth's electromagnetic field at 620 miles a second."

As well as the communications systems wipeout, Noone predicts the cosmic event could produce a spectacular display of northern lights, which he said might be visible as far south as Florida.

Survival Center Website operator Craig Smith told Newsbytes, "Yes, the potential does exist. The big question is - but will it?" He refers to Noone's article "Are We Approaching the Abyss?" and quotes, "Past solar storms have caused incredible damage, including disruptions of radio, television, telephone, satellites, radar, power lines, power company grids and other sophisticated electronic technologies. These past solar storms will be mere blips of inconvenience to us, compared to The Storm of the Millennium coming this spring."

More of Noone's predictions can be found at http://rnoone.com .

However, Philip Plait, operator of an astronomy-focused Website, told Newsbytes, "There will be no natural ramifications whatsoever from this alignment. The gravitational and tidal effects are so puny that they will be unmeasurable. Last December's full Moon was unusually close. I did a quick calculation and showed that the gravity of that full Moon was much larger than the Moon and planets in this upcoming alignment. We weren't destroyed on Dec. 22, and we won't be in May.

"There won't be any electromagnetic effects either. The Sun is the only real contributor of these kinds of effects to the Earth. The sunspot cycle and therefore solar activity will be at a maximum this year. However, this has nothing to do with the alignment."

Plait has posted a wealth of grand alignment information on his site at http://www.badastronomy.co/bad/misc/planets.html .

Other doomsayers fear an extraordinary gravitational pull on our planet, which would wreak havoc in many ways, including causing the Earth's tilt to change, not to mention earthquakes and floods.

Many scientists anticipate a major solar disturbance this year but most insist the grand alignment will have no effect on solar storms, which occur in predictable 11-year cycles. Major storms and eruptions on the Sun's surface have been known to affect communications systems and are blamed for a province-wide blackout in Quebec in 1989.

Plait summed up the controversy by declaring, "There will be a lot of people trying to tell you something different than what I am saying here. Chances are, they're trying to sell something."

Reported by Newsbytes.com

2004-11-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

Windows Server 2003 10 in 1 CD

The Windows Server 2003 family builds on the proven reliability,
scalability, and manageability of Windows 2000 Server while improving
essential services. Now with enhanced security and better performance,
the Windows Server 2003 family offers the best server infrastructure
for increasing IT efficiency, developing applications quickly, and
enhancing productivity.

This release includes both corporate (VLK) and Retail versions of:
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-Bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-Bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Small Business Edition CD1
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

This is the all-in-one release of Windows Server 2003,
with the Datacenter, Enterprise, Small Business, Standard and Web
Editions. Also this is a Volume License ISO, which never needs to be
activated. This version also includes the patched uxtheme.dll in every
version so no patching is required. Use the included Reset 5.02 to bypass
activation for non-vlk installations. CD-Keys are automatically entered
in each setup. Download Small Business CD2/3 to complete the install of
Windows Server 2003 Small Business.

o------------------------ I N S T A L L N O T E S ------------------------o

1. Instert CD and install your favorite flavor of Windows 2003 or boot
from CD and install.

2. CD Keys: illegal to provide this info
Enterprise/Datacenter: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Small Business: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Standard: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
VLK: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Web: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

2004-11-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

Generic Product Keys

Deploying Windows XP Using Windows Product Activation

All of the examples provided above used a beta key for illustration purposes. The product keys listed in this section can be used with any of the answer files and scripted examples. They are blocked at the Microsoft clearinghouse and therefore cannot be used to activate any systems. They provide a number of days (assume 14 days) for you to complete the activation process.

It is absolutely essential that you use the correct type of key, which is a function of the platform type and the media. Choose the key and corresponding sequence number for your scripts from the following table:

Generic Product Keys

Applicability
Product Key
Sequence Number

Whistler Tech Beta Program
(All Platforms)
PXRQ3-7VPMV-CQWXR-8Y4KX-RD786
010053298

Windows XP
Home Edition
Full product
JKTVX-HCRXC-J2YC9-MX3K4-G9X26
005037750

Windows XP
Home Edition
Upgrade
C84VB-JYVFD-P7HF4-6KKRJ-7M6XH
010000182

Windows XP Professional
Full product
DR8GV-C8V6J-BYXHG-7PYJR-DB66Y
005072760

Windows XP Professional
Upgrade
FKTW8-Q7MJ7-JK6GW-9J9RV-HC3C2
010000212

Windows XP
Home Edition
System Builder (Full)
KGVXT-F9HVW-XGW9X-QVYVX-HQ9RD
120000613

Windows XP Professional
System Builder (Full)
TTGHK-3RC33-BT9DR-3BVYV-BTQ98
120000607

Original Link : http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/wpadepl.mspx

2004-11-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

Unlocking WinXP's setupp.ini

WinXP's setupp.ini controls how the CD acts. IE is it an OEM version or retail? First, find your setupp.ini file in the i386 directory on your WinXP CD. Open it up, it'll look something like this:

ExtraData=707A667567736F696F697911AE7E05
Pid=55034000

The Pid value is what we're interested in. What's there now looks like a standard default. There are special numbers that determine if it's a retail, oem, or volume license edition. First, we break down that number into two parts. The first five digits determines how the CD will behave, ie is it a retail cd that lets you clean install or upgrade, or an oem cd that only lets you perform a clean install? The last three digits determines what CD key it will accept. You are able to mix and match these values. For example you could make a WinXP cd that acted like a retail cd, yet accepted OEM keys.

Now, for the actual values. Remember the first and last values are interchangable, but usually you'd keep them as a pair:

Retail = 51882 335
Volume License = 51883 270
OEM = 82503 OEM
So if you wanted a retail CD that took retail keys, the last line of your setupp.ini file would read:

Pid=51882335

And if you wanted a retail CD that took OEM keys, you'd use:

Pid=51882OEM

Note that this does NOT get rid of WinXP's activation. Changing the Pid to a Volume License will not bypass activation. You must have a volume license (corporate) key to do so.

Just some random screenshots:
Here we have an OEM version of WinXP letting us know we can't upgrade:

2004-11-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

Remove Saved Passwords

Windows XP offers the ability to save passwords for web sites and network resources. This can be very convenient as opposed to remembering and entering the username and password each time you need access, but it poses a security risk because anyone who has physical access to your computer would also be able to log into those sites using your saved credentials. While biometrics and other user authentication methods have become more widely used and accepted in recent years, the prevailing method of user athentication remains the username and password. Users have passwords to access their computer, shared network resources, web sites, business applications and other resources.
Different sites and applications have different policies regarding how to create the passwords and standard security practices suggest that users should use a different and unique password for each login. For many users it becomes unruly to recall the various usernames and passwords and they may write them down on a notepad in their desk drawer or put it on a sticky note on their monitor so they can remember them all. Of course, anyone else can also come along and read the passwords as well.
Windows XP offers users the ability to retain passwords so that the authentication information required to login is automatically pre-populated when the different sites or resources are accessed rather than the user having to enter them each time. Because this requires being logged into the computer in the first place it provides some convenience for the user while remaining more secure than writing everything on a sticky note on the monitor. Unfortunately, it is still counter-productive from a security perspective because anyone who sits down at the computer while it is logged in or gains access to your computer user account will subsequently be able to access all of the various sites and resources as if they were the user because of the cached login credentials.
Windows XP does not offer a very easy way to review or remove the saved passwords though. If you follow the steps below though you can access a graphical interface to add, remove or edit the saved passwords on a given system.

1. Click Start and select Run
2. In the Open field type "rundll32.exe keymgr.dll, KRShowKeyMgr"
3. Once the Stored Usernames and Passwords interface opens you can select any of the entries and select Properties to view the existing information
4. To remove a saved password you can select one of the entries and select Remove. A confirmation screen will appear. Click on OK and the account will be removed
5. You can add additional saved passwords as well by clicking on the Add button and entering the appropriate information
6. Repeat the steps above as needed to add, remove or edit saved passwords
7. When you are done using the interface click the Close button

Tony Bradley is a consultant and writer with a focus on network security, antivirus and incident response. He is the About.com Guide for Internet / Network Security (http://netsecurity.about.com), providing a broad range of information security tips, advice, reviews and information. Tony also contributes frequently to other industry publications. For a complete list of his freelance contributions you can visit Essential Computer Security (http://www.tonybradley.com).

2004-10-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Registry Reference for Windows Server 2003

ProductType HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions

Data type Range Default value
REG_SZ Platform identifier Windows XP Professional: WinNT
Windows Server 2003: ServerNT or LanmanNT

Description
Stores data that identifies the operating system platform running on the computer. This data lets programs identify and customize their features to the platform.

In Windows Server 2003, the following entries identify the platform options.

Value Meaning
WinNT Windows XP Professional
ServerNT Windows Server 2003
LanmanNT Windows Server 2003

Tip

To view this data, programs can use the GetVersionEx and VerifyVersionInfo application programming interfaces.

Caution

Do not delete this entry or change its value. This entry stores protected operating system data. Editing this data violates your Windows Server 2003 licensing agreement and disqualifies you from receiving Microsoft Product Support Services service. If a program tries to change the data, the system stops abnormally and displays a blue screen.

2004-10-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Windows 9x install control

Do you need to install Windows from your CD but lost the CD Key and the Certificate of Authenticity? There are a few methods that you can use to get Windows installed. On this page I will discuss two of the easiest methods for installing Windows 9x and Millennium without a key.

The idea here is to get Windows to think it is either an OEM version being installed that does not require the CD Key or make Windows think it is being installed over a network without supervision so that a CD key is not asked for.

To get this accomplished we need to change the setting ProductType in the Setuppp.inf file located inside one of the Precopy?.cab files. Windows Me uses only Precopy1.cab while 9x can use 2 or 3. Since we cannot re-save the file back into the cab file we need to approach this from a different angle.

You may need to try a few different methods to get the one that works for you.

Method One: (easiest)
Start installing Windows from inside of Windows. When you are asked to except the License Agreement do not click on "Next", YET! Now bring up the Start Menu (Ctrl + ESC buttons) and in the Run window type Notepad. Have Notepad open the file WININST0.400\Setuppp.inf. Do a search for the string "ProductType", and change the value from 9 to 1. If the value 1 fails try one of the other values as noted below

ProductType=1: Upgrades without asking for CD KEY (serial number)
ProductType=2: CD Key required
ProductType=5: Asks for CD Key, but won't take valid keys- and you get the option to "ignore" and go on.
ProductType=6: Works OK (?) (?)
ProductType=7: Works on Windows 95 and 95 A
ProductType=9: OEM non upgrade version

Now save the changes and continue the installation.

Method Two:
You will need to copy all the Windows installation files to your hard drive first. Then in the same folder you copied the files to create a new file Msbatch.inf. Add the following:
[Setup]
ProductType=1
(press Enter)
(press Enter)

Save the file and install Windows.

When Windows has completed installing go to the Registry Key in RegEdit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE|Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion and get the value of the Data "ProductKey", for Windows 95, it will be "ProductID". If you have Windows 98 or ME do not use the value from "ProductID". Save the information, this is your Windows CD Key.

2004-10-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

Patriot Games (pg)

Written by: Tom Clancy

First published: 1987

Known translations:
Danish - Patrioternes Spil
Italian - attentato alla corte d'Inghilterra - 1987

Plot:
Jack Ryan is on vacation in London with his wife Cathy and his daughter Sally while doing some research for a book he is writing. As Ryan meets his family at St. James Park, they witness a terrorist attack on a member of British royal family. Ryan, a former US Marine, charges the terrorists and foils their attack killing one and wounding another. The terrorists belong to ULA (Ulster Liberation Army), an offshoot of the IRA, whom doesn't approve of the attack. Sean Miller, fanatic member of the ULA and the mastermind behind the attack, won't let Ryan get away with it. Admiral Greer urges Jack to join the CIA in order to protect the Ryan family from the terrorists' revenge.

2004-10-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Hunt for Red October (hfro)

Written by: Tom Clancy

First published: 1984

Known translations:
Danish - Jagten på Røde Oktober
Italian - la grande fuga dell'Ottobre rosso
Dutch - De jacht op Red October (1986)

Plot:
Russia's newest Typhoon-class nuclear missile submarine Red October, equipped with a silent propulsion system, sets sail from Murmansk. At the same time a mysterious letter is sent from Red October's captain, Marko Ramius, to the chief political officer of the Soviet Navy. Shortly after almost the entire Soviet fleet in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean sets out for the Atlantic Ocean with the mission to hunt down and destroy the Red October. CIA-analyst Jack Ryan believes that Ramius is trying to defect to the West. The Pentagon and White House generals do not believe in his idea. They believe Soviet's story, that Ramius is a madman and that he will launch his nuclear missiles at the United States. A race between NATO and the Soviet Union begins. Who will find the Red October first? In the middle of all this Ryan is trying to get to Ramius and help him.

2004-10-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

Spoof MAC Address

Goto Start->Run, type "cmd" to goto command prompt

Type "ipconfig /all" and record the MAC address for each network adapter

Goto Start->Run, type "regedit" to bring up registry editor. Make sure you backup your registry in case you screw up. If you screw up important registry entries, you may damage your computer system. Again, MAKE SURE you have a good backup of your registry entry!

Locate "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\\Parameters". should have subkeys like "xyz0000", "xyz0001", "xyz0002" and so on.

Click on each subkey that starts with "0000" and determine your Ethernet card by looking at "DriverDesc" key. If it did not match, then goto "0001", "0002" and so on...

Once you got the right NIC card,

Click on dropdown menu Edit->New->String Value.

Name the new string "NetworkAddress" and click OK.

Double-click on the new "NetworkAddress" string and you will be prompted for "Value data"

Enter the new MAC address you want to assign. The MAC address you enter should be a 12 digit number with NO "-", i.e. "00C095ECB761"

Reboot your system

Verify the new MAC address with "IPCONFIG"

Resources:

2004-10-16T02:43:00.000-07:00

Boot INI Options Reference
Source - Sysinternals.com

There are number of BOOT.INI switches that are useful for driver developers that wish to test their drivers under a variety of different system configurations without having to have a separate machine for every one. For example, limiting the amount of memory NT sees can be useful for stressing memory loads, and limiting the number of processors for testing scalability. I've compiled a complete list of the options that BOOT.INI currently supports. This list is reproduced in the Startup, Shutdown and Crashes chapter of Inside Windows 2000, 3rd Ed., where you'll find more information about the boot process. Entries in red were introduced in Windows 2000 and those in blue introduced in Windows XP or Windows Server 2003.

/3GB
Increases the size of the user process address space from 2 GB to 3 GB (and therefore reduces the size of system space from 2 GB to 1 GB). Giving virtual-memory- intensive applications such as database servers a larger address space can improve their performance. For an application to take advantage of this feature, however, two additional conditions must be met: the system must be running Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Advanced Server or Datacenter Server and the application .exe must be flagged as a 3-GB-aware application. (See the section “Address Space Layout” in Chapter 7 for more information.)

/BASEVIDEO
Causes Windows to use the standard VGA display driver for GUI-mode operations.

/BAUDRATE=
Enables kernel-mode debugging and specifies an override for the default baud rate (19200) at which a remote kernel debugger host will connect. Example: /BAUDRATE=115200.

/BOOTLOG
Causes Windows to write a log of the boot to the file %SystemRoot%\Ntbtlog.txt.

/BOOTLOGO
Use this switch to have Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 display an installable splash screen instead of the standard splash screen. First, create a 16-color (any 16 colors) 640x480 bitmap and save it in the Windows directory with the name Boot.bmp. Then add "/bootlogo /noguiboot" to the boot.ini selection.

/BREAK
Causes the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) to stop at a breakpoint at HAL initialization. The first thing the Windows kernel does when it initializes is to initialize the HAL, so this breakpoint is the earliest one possible. The HAL will wait indefinitely at the breakpoint until a kernel-debugger connection is made. If the switch is used without the /DEBUG switch, the system will Blue Screen with a STOP code of 0x00000078 (PHASE0_ EXCEPTION).

/BURNMEMORY=
Specifies an amount of memory Windows can't use (similar to the /MAXMEM switch). The value is specified in megabytes. Example: /BURNMEMORY=128 would indicate that Windows can't use 128 MB of the total physical memory on the machine.

/CHANNEL=
Used on conjunction with /DEBUGPORT=1394 to specify the IEEE 1394 channel through which kernel debugging communications will flow. This can be any number between 0 and 62 and defaults to 0 if not set.

/CLKLVL
Causes the standard x86 multiprocessor HAL (Halmps.dll) to configure itself for a level-sensitive system clock rather then an edge-triggered clock. Level-sensitive and edge-triggered are terms used to describe hardware interrupt types.

/CMDCONS
Passed when booting with into the Recovery Console (described later in this chapter).

/CRASHDEBUG
Causes the kernel debugger to be loaded when the system boots, but to remain inactive unless a crash occurs. This allows the serial port that the kernel debugger would use to be available for use by the system until the system crashes (vs. /DEBUG, which causes the kernel debugger to use the serial port for the life of the system session).

/DEBUG
Enables kernel-mode debugging.

/DEBUGPORT=
Enables kernel-mode debugging and specifies an override for the default serial (usually COM2 on systems with at least two serial ports) to which a remote kernel-debugger host is connected. Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 also support debugging through accept IEEE 1394 ports. Examples: /DEBUGPORT=COM2, /DEBUGPORT=1394.

/EXECUTE
This optionIt disables no-execute protection. See the /NOEXECUTE switch for more information.

/FASTDETECT
Default boot option for Windows. Replaces the Windows NT 4 switch /NOSERIALMICE. The reason the qualifier exists (vs. just having NTDETECT perform this operation by default) is so that NTDETECT can support booting Windows NT 4. Windows Plug and Play device drivers perform detection of parallel and serial devices, but Windows NT 4 expects NTDETECT to perform the detection. Thus, specifying /FASTDETECT causes NTDETECT to skip parallel and serial device enumeration (actions that are not required when booting Windows), whereas omitting the switch causes NTDETECT to perform this enumeration (which is required for booting Windows NT 4).

/INTAFFINITY
Directs the standard x86 multiprocessor HAL (Halmps.dll) to set interrupt affinities such that only the highest numbered processor will receive interrupts. Without the switch, the HAL defaults to its normal behavior of letting all processors receive interrupts.

/KERNEL=
/HAL=
Enable you to override Ntldr's default filename for the kernel image (Ntoskrnl.exe) and/or the HAL (Hal.dll). These options are useful for alternating between a checked kernel environment and a free (retail) kernel environment or even to manually select a different HAL. If you want to boot a checked environment that consists solely of the checked kernel and HAL, which is typically all that is needed to test drivers, follow these steps on a system installed with the free build:

• Copy the checked versions of the kernel images from the checked build CD to your \Windows\System32 directory, giving the images different names than the default. For example, if you're on a uniprocessor, copy Ntoskrnl.exe to Ntoschk.exe and Ntkrnlpa.exe to Ntoschkpa.exe. If you're on a multiprocessor, copy Ntkrnlmp.exe to Ntoschk.exe and Ntkrpamp.exe to Ntoschkpa.exe. The kernel filename must be an 8.3-style short name.

• Copy the checked version of the appropriate HAL needed for your system from \I386\Driver.cab on the checked build CD to your \Windows\System32 directory, naming it Halchk.dll. To determine which HAL to copy, open \Windows\Repair\Setup.log and search for Hal.dll; you'll find a line like \WINDOWS\system32\ hal.dll="halacpi.dll","1d8a1". The name immediately to the right of the equals sign is the name of the HAL you should copy. The HAL filename must be an 8.3-style short name.

• Make a copy of the default line in the system's Boot.ini file.

• In the string description of the boot selection, add something that indicates that the new selection will be for a checked build environment (for example, “Windows XP Professional Checked”).

• Add the following to the end of the new selection's line: /KERNEL=NTOSCHK.EXE /HAL= HALCHK.DLL

Now when the selection menu appears during the boot process you can select the new entry to boot a checked environment or select the entry you were using to boot the free build.

/LASTKNOWNGOOD
Causes the system to boot as if the LastKnownGood boot option was selected.

/MAXMEM=
Limits Windows to ignore (not use) physical memory beyond the amount indicated. The number is interpreted in megabytes. Example: /MAXMEM=32 would limit the system to using the first 32 MB of physical memory even if more were present.

/MAXPROCSPERCLUSTER=
For the standard x86 multiprocessor HAL (Halmps.dll), forces cluster-mode Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) addressing (not supported on systems with an 82489DX external APIC interrupt controller).

/MININT
This option is used by Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) and causes the Configuration Manager to load the Registry SYSTEM hive as a volatile hive such that changes made to it in memory are not saved back to the hive image.

/NODEBUG
Prevents kernel-mode debugging from being initialized. Overrides the specification of any of the three debug-related switches, /DEBUG, /DEBUGPORT, and /BAUDRATE.

/NOEXECUTE
This option is only available on 32-bit versions of Windows when running on AMD64 processors and only when PAE (see the /PAE switch) is also enabled. It enables no-execute protection, which results in the Memory Manager marking pages containing data as no-execute so that they cannot be executed as code. This can be useful for preventing malicious code from exploiting buffer overflow bugs with unexpected program input in order to execute arbitrary code. No-execute protection is always enabled on 64-bit versions of Windows on AMD64 processors.

/NOGUIBOOT
Instructs Windows not to initialize the VGA video driver responsible for presenting bitmapped graphics during the boot process. The driver is used to display boot progress information, so disabling it will disable the ability of Windows to show this information.

/NOLOWMEM
Requires that the /PAE switch be present and that the system have more than 4 GB of physical memory. If these conditions are met, the PAE-enabled version of the Windows kernel, Ntkrnlpa.exe, won't use the first 4 GB of physical memory. Instead, it will load all applications and device drivers, and allocate all memory pools, from above that boundary. This switch is useful only to test device driver compatibility with large memory systems.

/NOPAE
Forces Ntldr to load the non-Physical Address Extension (PAE) version of the Windows kernel, even if the system is detected as supporting x86 PAEs and has more than 4 GB of physical memory.

/NOSERIALMICE=[COMx | COMx,y,z...]
Obsolete Windows NT 4 qualifier—replaced by the absence of the /FASTDETECT switch. Disables serial mouse detection of the specified COM ports. This switch was used if you had a device other than a mouse attached to a serial port during the startup sequence. Using /NOSERIALMICE without specifying a COM port disables serial mouse detection on all COM ports. See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q131976 for more information.

/NUMPROC=
Specifies the number of CPUs that can be used on a multiprocessor system. Example: /NUMPROC=2 on a four-way system will prevent Windows from using two of the four processors.

/ONECPU
Causes Windows to use only one CPU on a multiprocessor system.

/PAE
Causes Ntldr to load Ntkrnlpa.exe, which is the version of the x86 kernel that is able to take advantage of x86 PAEs. The PAE version of the kernel presents 64-bit physical addresses to device drivers, so this switch is helpful for testing device driver support for large memory systems.

/PCILOCK
Stops Windows from dynamically assigning IO/IRQ resources to PCI devices and leaves the devices configured by the BIOS. See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q148501 for more information.

/RDPATH=
Specifies the path to a System Disk Image (SDI) file, which can be on the network, that the system will use to boot from. Often used in conjunction with the /RDIMAGEOFFSET= flag to indicate to NTLDR where in the file the system image starts.

/REDIRECT
Introduced with Windows XP. Used to cause Windows to enable Emergency Management Services (EMS) that reports boot information and accepts system management commands through a serial port. Specify serial port and baudrate used in conjunction with EMS with redirect= and redirectbaudrate= lines in the [boot loader] section of the Boot.ini file.

/SAFEBOOT:
Specifies options for a safe boot. You should never have to specify this option manually, since Ntldr specifies it for you when you use the F8 menu to perform a safe boot. (A safe boot is a boot in which Windows only loads drivers and services that are specified by name or group under the Minimal or Network registry keys under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot.) Following the colon in the option you must specify one of three additional switches: MINIMAL, NETWORK, or DSREPAIR. The MINIMAL and NETWORK flags correspond to safe boot with no network and safe boot with network support, respectively. The DSREPAIR (Directory Services Repair) switch causes Windows to boot into a mode in which it restores the Active Directory directory service from a backup medium you present. An additional option you can append is (ALTERNATESHELL), which tells Windows to use the program specified by the HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ SafeBoot\AlternateShell value as the graphical shell rather than to use the default, which is Windows Explorer.

/SCSIORDINAL:
Directs Windows to the SCSI ID of the controller. (Adding a new SCSI device to a system with an on-board SCSI controller can cause the controller's SCSI ID to change.) See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q103625 for more information.

/SDIBOOT=
Used in Windows XP Embedded systems to have Windows boot from a RAM disk image stored in the specified System Disk Image (SDI) file.

/SOS
Causes Windows to list the device drivers marked to load at boot time and then to display the system version number (including the build number), amount of physical memory, and number of processors.

/TIMERES=
Sets the resolution of the system timer on the standard x86 multiprocessor HAL (Halmps.dll). The argument is a number interpreted in hundreds of nanoseconds, but the rate is set to the closest resolution the HAL supports that isn't larger than the one requested. The HAL supports the following resolutions:

Hundreds of nanoseconds Milliseconds (ms)
9766 0.98
19532 2.00
39063 3.90
78125 7.80

The default resolution is 7.8 ms. The system timer resolution affects the resolution of waitable timers. Example: /TIMERES=21000 would set the timer to a resolution of 2.0 ms.

/USERVA=
This switch is only supported on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Like the /3GB switch, this switch gives applications a larger address space. Specify the amount in MB between 2048 and 3072. This switch has the same application requirements as the /3GB switch and requires that the /3GB switch be present.

/WIN95
Directs Ntldr to boot the Consumer Windows boot sector stored in Bootsect.w40. This switch is pertinent only on a triple-boot system that has MS-DOS, Consumer Windows, and Windows installed. See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q157992 for more information.

/WIN95DOS
Directs Ntldr to boot the MS-DOS boot sector stored in Bootsect.dos. This switch is pertinent only on a triple-boot system that has MS-DOS, Consumer Windows, and Windows installed. See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q157992 for more information.

/YEAR=
Instructs the Windows core time function to ignore the year that the computer's real-time clock reports and instead use the one indicated. Thus, the year used in the switch affects every piece of software on the system, including the Windows kernel. Example: /YEAR=2001. (This switch was created to assist in Y2K testing.)

Thanks to Jonas Fischer for pointing out the PCILOCK and NOSERIALMICE switches. Thanks to Rob Green for information on the FASTDETECT switch.

2004-09-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

All Windows DVD

Release: All Windows DVD Filename: all_windows_dvd_x.iso
Type: OS Format: ISO
Archives: 2x 4.7gb Date: 9/07/2003

Hardware requirements:
Windows 2003 Datacenter: 400MHZ/512MB RAM/1.5GB HD
Windows 2003 Server: 133MHZ/128MB RAM/1.5GB HD
Windows XP: 233MHZ/64MB RAM/1.5GB HD
Windows 2000 Server: 133MHZ/128MB RAM/1GB HD
Windows 2000 Workstation: 133MHZ/64MB RAM/750MB HD
Windows NT: 33MHZ/16MB RAM/150MB HD
Windows Millenium: 150MHZ/32 MB RAM/500MB HD
Windows 98: 66MHZ/16MB RAM/350MB HD
Windows 95: 33MHZ/8MB RAM/100MB HD

R E L E A S E N O T E S

This is the first-ever release of an all-windows DVD. Unfortunately,
there is not enough space on 1 DVDr to contain every version of Windows
so the versions were split between 2 DVDs. Each version is complete with
every file each cd. Standalone iso creation is included in each autorun
so any ISO can be re-created. CD-Keys are integrated in the NT series
setups (NT/2000/XP/2003) and Reset 5.02 is included to bypass
activation. Windows XP and 2003 have pre-patched uxtheme.dll's so
alternate themes can be used. Service Packs for all versions are also
included. Windows XP has Service Pack 1 integrated and Windows 2000 has
Service Pack 4 integrated. Bootdisks are included for every version
except Windows 2003 (in \BOOTDISK). Just insert the DVD and install.
WindowsUpdate Fix version 5.8 is included for Windows 2003 VLK
installations (in \TOOOLS in DVD1). Extras are included (in \TOOLS in
DVD1), scroll down to see the list.

DVD 1 Contains:

Windows 2003 Datacenter
Windows 2003 Datacenter Corp
Windows 2003 Enterprise
Windows 2003 Enterprise Corp
Windows 2003 Standard
Windows 2003 Standard Corp
Windows 2003 Web
Windows 2003 Web Corp

Windows XP Home Corp with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Home OEM with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Home Retail with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Media Center with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Pro Corp with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Pro OEM with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Pro Retail with Service Pack 1
Windows XP Tablet with Service Pack 1

Windows 2000 Advanced Server with Service Pack 4
Windows 2000 Datacenter Server with Service Pack 4
Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 4
Windows 2000 Workstation with Service Pack 4

Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Server
Windows NT 4.0 Server
Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation

DVD 2 Contains:

Windows Millenium
Windows Millenium Upgrade
Windows Millenium StepUp
Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows 98 Second Edition Upgrade
Windows 98
Windows 98 Upgrade
Windows 95 C
Windows 95 B
Windows 95 B Floppy Edition
Windows 95 A
Windows 95 Original
Windows 95 Floppy Edition
Windows 95 Upgrade
Windows 95 Upgrade Floppy Edition
Windows NT 3.51 Server
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation
Windows NT 3.5 Server
Windows NT 3.5 Workstation
Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server
Windows NT 3.1 Workstation

Plus! Digital Media Edition
Plus! XP
Plus! 98
Plus! 95

I N S T A L L N O T E S

1. Insert DVD and install your favorite flavor of Windows or boot
from DVD and install.

2. CD Keys:

3. Run reset5setup.exe (located in \tools) in safe mode to disable
activation in non-corporate installs of Windows XP and 2003.

4. Install Service Packs (located in \servicepack)

S E R V I C E P A C K S

DVD 1 Contains:

Windows XP Service Pack 1a
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a
Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Service Pack 6a

DVD 2 Contains:

Windows 98 Service Pack
Windows 95 Service Pack
Windows NT 3.51 Service Pack 5
Windows NT 3.5 Service Pack 3
Windows NT 3.1 Service Pack 3
Plus! Digital Media Edition
Plus! XP

B O O T D I S K S

DVD 1 Contains:

Windows XP Pro
Windows XP Home
Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Windows 2000 Server
Windows 2000 Workstation
Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Server
Windows NT 4.0 Server
Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation

DVD 2 Contains:

Windows Millenium
Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows 98
Windows 95 C
Windows 95 B
Windows 95 A
Windows 95
Windows NT 3.51 Server
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation
Windows NT 3.5 Server
Windows NT 3.5 Workstation
Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server
Windows NT 3.1 Workstation

O L D E R V E R S I O N S

DVD 2 Contains:

Bob
Windows NT 3.51 Shell Update
Windows For Workgroups 3.11
Windows 3.11
Windows For Workgroups 3.1
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.0
Windows 2.11 for 286
Windows 2.1
Windows 2.1 for 286
Windows 2.03
Windows 1.04
Windows 1.03
Windows 1.03 for 286
Windows 1.02
Windows 1.01

Dos 7 Beta
Dos 6.22
Dos 6.2
Dos 6.0
Dos 5.0
Dos 4.01
Dos 3.3
Dos 3.21
Dos 3.2
Dos 2.2
Dos 1.1
Dos 1.0

E X T R A S

DVD 1 Contains:

Internet Explorer:
Internet Explorer 6.0
Internet Explorer 5.5
Internet Explorer 5.01
Internet Explorer 4.01
Internet Explorer 4.0 16Bit
Internet Explorer 3.03 16Bit for 3.11
Internet Explorer 3.03 16Bit for NT 3.51
Internet Explorer 3.02 for 95
Internet Explorer 3.02 for NT
Internet Explorer 2.0
Internet Explorer 2.0 16Bit
Internet Explorer 1.5
Internet Explorer 1.0

DirectX:
DirectX 9.0b
DirectX 8.2
DirectX 8.0a
DirectX 7.0
DirectX 6.0
DirectX 5.0
(4.0 never shipped)
DirectX 3.0

Windows Media Player:
Windows Media Player 9.0
Windows Media Player 7.1
Windows Media Player 6.4
Windows Media Player 6.1
Windows Media Player 5.2
Windows Media Player 4.0

MSN Messenger:
MSN Messenger 6.0
MSN Messenger 5.0
MSN Messenger 4.7
MSN Messenger 4.6
MSN Messenger 4.5
MSN Messenger 3.6
MSN Messenger 3.5
MSN Messenger 3.0
MSN Messenger 2.2
MSN Messenger 2.1
MSN Messenger 2.0
MSN Messenger 1.0

All software included in this release is only intended for your use if
you own a legal license to this software. We are not to be held
responsible for illegal use/installation of this software. If you choose
to install and test this software and you decide to keep it, you must
purchase a valid license. If you do not own legal license to this
software we will not be held responsible for any charges brought against
you by any software company(s) or people working for any software
company(s). We do not support piracy, we are here only to provide an
evaluation.

Brought to you by XiSO

2004-09-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

Windows XP Professional Language Interface Pack (LIP)

http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/DrIntl/faqs/LIPFaq.mspx

2004-09-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

Windows XP Language Interface Pack

Language Interface Packs (LIP) for Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition provide a localized User Interface for emerging or minority language markets.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0db2e8f9-79c4-4625-a07a-0cc1b341be7c&DisplayLang=en

2004-09-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

CD compares: XP Home OEM vs. Upgrade (TTID #103)
Author: TACKtech Corp. Views: 9,426 / Created: April 25, 2002

Windows XP Home OEM CD Label: WXHOEM_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-33941

Windows XP Home Upgrade CD Label: WXHCCP_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-26271

************************************************************************
Differences between Windows XP Home OEM and Upgrade Versions
************************************************************************
.\i386\acc_dis.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\accessib.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\eula.txt different (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\iesupp.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\iewebhlp.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\nt5inf.ca_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
nt5inf.cat (different/ OEM Newer)

.\i386\setupp.ini (different/ Upgrade Newer)
[Pid]
ExtraData=6376796F71737A76767385CA66F124 (OEM) Line 2
Pid=55277OEM (OEM) Line 3

ExtraData=70747366656E6D756973AC4DB41510 (Upgrade) Line 2
Pid=55285000 (Upgrade) Line 3

.\i386\setupreg.hiv (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\supp_ed.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\win9xupg\win95upg.inf (different/ Upgrade Newer)
[ShellFolders.ConditionalPreserve]
Windows CE Documents,Personal,Common Personal (OEM) Line 323

Windows CE Documents,Personal,Common Personal,My Music,CommonMusic,My Pictures,CommonPictures,My Video,CommonVideo (Upgrade) Line 323

2004-09-20T23:28:00.000-07:00

CD compares: XP Professional OEM vs. Upgrade (TTID #101)
Author: TACKtech Corp. Views: 10,751 / Created: April 25, 2002

Windows XP Professional OEM CD Label: WXPOEM_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-33951

Windows XP Professional Upgrade CD Label: WXPCCP_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-26178

************************************************************************
Differences between Windows XP Professional OEM and Upgrade Versions
************************************************************************
.\i386\acc_dis.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\accessib.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\eula.txt different (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\iesupp.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\iewebhlp.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\nt5inf.ca_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
nt5inf.cat (different/ OEM Newer)

.\i386\setupp.ini (different/ Upgrade Newer)
[Pid]
ExtraData=667573717871786D6E6246F8FD871F (OEM) Line 2
Pid=55274OEM (OEM) Line 3

ExtraData=7677657A737273766F70F43CC136A0 (Upgrade) Line 2
Pid=55276000 (Upgrade) Line 3

.\i386\setupreg.hiv (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\supp_ed.ch_ (different/ Upgrade Newer)
.\i386\win9xupg\win95upg.inf (different/ Upgrade Newer)
[ShellFolders.ConditionalPreserve]
Windows CE Documents,Personal,Common Personal (OEM) Line 323

Windows CE Documents,Personal,Common Personal,My Music,CommonMusic,My Pictures,CommonPictures,My Video,CommonVideo (Upgrade) Line 323

2004-09-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

CD compares: XP Professional vs. Home (TTID #104)
Author: TACKtech Corp. Views: 29,495 / Created: April 25, 2002

Windows XP Professional OEM CD Label: WXPOEM_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-33951

Windows XP Professional Upgrade CD Label: WXPCCP_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-26178

Windows XP Home OEM CD Label: WXHOEM_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-33941

Windows XP Home Upgrade CD Label: WXHCCP_EN
CD 0601 Part No.X08-26271

************************************************************************
Differences between Windows XP Professional vs. Home Versions
************************************************************************
.\readme.htm(different/identical times)
.\setup.exe (different/identical times)
.\i386\1394.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\1394vdbg.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\61883.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\acerscan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\acpi.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\apcompat.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\apps.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\avc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\battery.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\bda.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\brmfcmdm.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\brmfcmf.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\brmfcsto.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\brmfcumd.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\brmfcwia.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\brmfport.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\camdsh20.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\camvid20.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\camvid30.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ccdecode.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\cdrom.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\certclas.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\cpu.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\cyclad-z.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\cyclom-y.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\cyyport.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\cyzport.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\devxprop.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dfrg.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dimaps.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\disk.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\display.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dosnet.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\dot4.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dot4prt.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dpcdll.dl_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dshowext.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\dvd.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\epcfw2k.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\epsnmfp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\epsnscan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\epstw2k.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\eula.txt (different/identical times)
.\i386\fdc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\filelist.da_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\fjtscan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\flash.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\flpydisk.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\font.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\gameport.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\genprint.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hal.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hidserv.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hisecdc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hisecws.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hivecls.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\hivedef.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\hivesft.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\hivesys.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\hpdigwia.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hpojscan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hpscan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\hwcomp.dat (different/identical times)
.\i386\ibmvcap.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\icam3.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\icam4usb.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\icam5usb.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\icwnt5.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ie.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ieaccess.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\iis.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\image.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\input.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\install.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\kdk2x0.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\kdkscan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\keyboard.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\kodak.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ks.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\kscaptur.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ksfilter.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\layout.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\legcydrv.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\luna.th_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\lwngmadi.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\lwusbhid.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\machine.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mchgr.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mdac.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\memcard.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\memstpci.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mf.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mfsocket.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\minioc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mmdriver.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mmopt.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mpe.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mscpqpa1.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msdv.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mshdc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msinfo32.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msmail.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msmouse.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msmscsi.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msmusb.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msnike.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msoe50.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msports.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msrio.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\msrio8.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mstape.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\multiprt.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mxboard.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\mxport.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\nabtsfec.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ndisip.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netauni.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netcis.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netdav.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netgpc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netias.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netip6.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netiprip.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netirda.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netlanem.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netlanep.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netlpd.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netmscli.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netnb.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netnwlnk.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netoc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netpsa.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netpschd.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netrasa.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netrass.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netrast.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netrsvp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netrwan.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netsap.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netserv.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netsnmp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\nettcpip.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\nettpsmp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netupnp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netupnph.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\netwzc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\nt5inf.ca_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ntapm.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ntgrip.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\oobe.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\optional.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ovcam.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ovcomp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ovsound.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\pchealth.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\pcmcia.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\phdsext.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\phil1vid.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\phil2vid.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\phildec.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\philtune.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\pidgen.dll (different/identical times)
.\i386\pinball.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\pmxmcro.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\pnpscsi.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ppa.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ppa3.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\printupg.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\prodspec.ini (different/identical times)
.\i386\prtupg9x.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ptpusb.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\reminst.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ricoh.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\rinorprt.si_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\ristndrd.si_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sapi5.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sbp2.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sceregvl.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\scsi.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\scsidev.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sdwndr2k.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\secrecs.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\setupp.ini (different/identical times)
.\i386\setupreg.hiv (different/identical times)
.\i386\shell.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\shl_img.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\slip.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\smartcrd.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sonypvu1.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sr.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\srchasst.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\srusbusd.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sti.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\stillcam.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\streamip.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\swflash.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\swnt.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\syscomp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\sysoc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\syssetup.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\tape.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\tsbvcap.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\tsoc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\txtsetup.sif (different/identical times)
.\i386\umax.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\umaxpp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\unknown.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\usb.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\usbport.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\usbprint.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\usbstor.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\usermig.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\vgx.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\volsnap.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\volume.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wab50.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wbemoc.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wbemsnmp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wceusbsh.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wdmjoy.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\winnt32.hlp (different/identical times)
.\i386\winnt32.msi (different/identical times)
.\i386\winxp.jp_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wkstamig.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wordpad.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wsh.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\wstcodec.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\xscan_xp.in_ (different/identical times)
.\i386\win9xupg\migdb.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\win9xupg\vscandb.inf (different/identical times)
.\i386\win9xupg\win95upg.inf (different/identical times)

************************************************************************
The following files are only on the Professional version
************************************************************************
.\win51ip
.\docs\pro.txt
.\i386\aclui.ch_
.\i386\aclui.hl_
.\i386\admexs.dl_
.\i386\admtoolw.ch_
.\i386\admwprox.dl_
.\i386\admxprox.dl_
.\i386\adrot.dl_
.\i386\adsiis51.dl_
.\i386\adsnds.dl_
.\i386\adsnw.dl_
.\i386\appconf.dl_
.\i386\appmgmts.dl_
.\i386\appmgr.dl_
.\i386\asp51.dl_
.\i386\aspperf.dl_
.\i386\asptxn.dl_
.\i386\asr_fmt.ex_
.\i386\asr_ldm.ex_
.\i386\asroc.in_
.\i386\auditw.ch_
.\i386\authfilt.dl_
.\i386\axctrnm.h2_
.\i386\axperf.in_
.\i386\bootcfg.ex_
.\i386\browscap.dl_
.\i386\browscap.in_
.\i386\certmap.oc_
.\i386\certmgrw.ch_
.\i386\certwiz.oc_
.\i386\cipher.ex_
.\i386\cli.mo_
.\i386\cliegali.mf_
.\i386\cliegali.mo_
.\i386\clusiis4.dl_
.\i386\cmconw.ch_
.\i386\cmdlib.ws_
.\i386\cnfgprts.oc_
.\i386\coadmin.dl_
.\i386\compatws.in_
.\i386\compfilt.dl_
.\i386\conf.ad_
.\i386\conf1.ch_
.\i386\controt.dl_
.\i386\convlog.ex_
.\i386\counters.dl_
.\i386\cpanel_w.ch_
.\i386\cpanelw.ch_
.\i386\csv.xs_
.\i386\davcdata.ex_
.\i386\defltwk.in_
.\i386\diskmgtw.ch_
.\i386\displayw.ch_
.\i386\drvqry.ex_
.\i386\dwup.in_
.\i386\efsadu.dl_
.\i386\encryptw.ch_
.\i386\evcreate.ex_
.\i386\evtgprov.dl_
.\i386\evtgprov.mo_
.\i386\evtquery.vb_
.\i386\evtrig.ex_
.\i386\exstrace.dl_
.\i386\fde.dl_
.\i386\fde.hl_
.\i386\fdeploy.dl_
.\i386\filefldw.ch_
.\i386\findw.ch_
.\i386\fscfg.dl_
.\i386\ftp.mi_
.\i386\ftpctrs.h2_
.\i386\ftpctrs.in_
.\i386\ftpctrs2.dl_
.\i386\ftpmib.dl_
.\i386\ftpsapi2.dl_
.\i386\ftpsv251.dl_
.\i386\genw.ch_
.\i386\getmac.ex_
.\i386\glosw.ch_
.\i386\gpedit.dl_
.\i386\gpedit.hl_
.\i386\gpedit.ms_
.\i386\gpeditw.ch_
.\i386\gprslt.ex_
.\i386\gptext.dl_
.\i386\gptext.hl_
.\i386\gpupdate.ex_
.\i386\gzip.dl_
.\i386\hform.xs_
.\i386\howtow.ch_
.\i386\hschelpw.ch_
.\i386\htable.xs_
.\i386\htblsort.xs_
.\i386\http.mi_
.\i386\httpext.dl_
.\i386\httpmb51.dl_
.\i386\httpod51.dl_
.\i386\ieakmmc.ch_
.\i386\iis.ms_
.\i386\iis6.cab
.\i386\iisadmin.dl_
.\i386\iische51.dl_
.\i386\iisclex4.dl_
.\i386\iiscrmap.dl_
.\i386\iisext51.dl_
.\i386\iisfecnv.dl_
.\i386\iislog51.dl_
.\i386\iismap.dl_
.\i386\iismui.dl_
.\i386\iisntw.ch_
.\i386\iisperf.pm_
.\i386\iisreset.ex_
.\i386\iisrstap.dl_
.\i386\iisrstas.ex_
.\i386\iisrtl.dl_
.\i386\iissuba.dl_
.\i386\iissync.ex_
.\i386\iisui.dl_
.\i386\iiswmmc.ch_
.\i386\inetcorp.ad_
.\i386\inetin51.ex_
.\i386\inetmgr.dl_
.\i386\inetmgr.ex_
.\i386\inetres.ad_
.\i386\inetres.ch_
.\i386\inetset.ad_
.\i386\inetsloc.dl_
.\i386\inetsrv.mi_
.\i386\infoadmn.dl_
.\i386\infocomm.dl_
.\i386\infoctrs.dl_
.\i386\infoctrs.h2_
.\i386\infoctrs.in_
.\i386\intellim.ch_
.\i386\ipseconw.ch_
.\i386\ipsecw.ch_
.\i386\isapips.dl_
.\i386\isatq.dl_
.\i386\iscomlog.dl_
.\i386\ism.dl_
.\i386\iwrps.dl_
.\i386\key.ch_
.\i386\localsec.hl_
.\i386\locsecw.ch_
.\i386\login.cm_
.\i386\logman.ex_
.\i386\logscrpt.dl_
.\i386\logtemp.sq_
.\i386\logui.oc_
.\i386\lonsint.dl_
.\i386\lpe.ch_
.\i386\lpecon.ch_
.\i386\md5filt.dl_
.\i386\mdsync.dl_
.\i386\metada51.dl_
.\i386\miscw.ch_
.\i386\mof.xs_
.\i386\mpconw.ch_
.\i386\mqac.sy_
.\i386\mqad.dl_
.\i386\mqbkup.ex_
.\i386\mqcertui.dl_
.\i386\mqdscli.dl_
.\i386\mqgentr.dl_
.\i386\mqise.dl_
.\i386\mqlogmgr.dl_
.\i386\mqoa.dl_
.\i386\mqoa.tl_
.\i386\mqoa10.tl_
.\i386\mqoa20.tl_
.\i386\mqperf.dl_
.\i386\mqperf.in_
.\i386\mqprfsym.h_
.\i386\mqqm.dl_
.\i386\mqrt.dl_
.\i386\mqrtdep.dl_
.\i386\mqsec.dl_
.\i386\mqsnap.dl_
.\i386\mqsnap.hl_
.\i386\mqsvc.ex_
.\i386\mqsysoc.in_
.\i386\mqtgsvc.ex_
.\i386\mqtrig.dl_
.\i386\mqupgrd.dl_
.\i386\mqutil.dl_
.\i386\msmqconw.ch_
.\i386\msmqocm.dl_
.\i386\msmqocmw.in_
.\i386\msmqw.ch_
.\i386\netcfgw.ch_
.\i386\netnwcli.in_
.\i386\netware.dr_
.\i386\networkw.ch_
.\i386\nextlink.dl_
.\i386\nsepm.dl_
.\i386\ntartw.ch_
.\i386\ntbackup.ex_
.\i386\ntbackup.hl_
.\i386\ntbckupw.ch_
.\i386\ntcmdsw.ch_
.\i386\ntdefw.ch_
.\i386\ntdsbcli.dl_
.\i386\nusrmgrw.ch_
.\i386\nw16.ex_
.\i386\nwapi16.dl_
.\i386\nwapi32.dl_
.\i386\nwc.cp_
.\i386\nwcfg.dl_
.\i386\nwdoc.hl_
.\i386\nwdocw.ch_
.\i386\nwevent.dl_
.\i386\nwrdr.sy_
.\i386\nwscript.ex_
.\i386\nwwks.dl_
.\i386\offlfdrw.ch_
.\i386\opnfiles.ex_
.\i386\pagecnt.dl_
.\i386\pagefile.vb_
.\i386\passwrdw.ch_
.\i386\pchdt_w3.ca_
.\i386\perfnw.dl_
.\i386\permchk.dl_
.\i386\policman.dl_
.\i386\policman.mf_
.\i386\policman.mo_
.\i386\printfnd.ch_
.\i386\printw.ch_
.\i386\prncnfg.vb_
.\i386\prndrvr.vb_
.\i386\prnjobs.vb_
.\i386\prnmngr.vb_
.\i386\prnport.vb_
.\i386\prnqctl.vb_
.\i386\pro_intr.sw_
.\i386\pro_intr.tx_
.\i386\pro_nav.sw_
.\i386\pro_nav.tx_
.\i386\pro_seg1.sw_
.\i386\pro_seg1.tx_
.\i386\pro_seg2.sw_
.\i386\pro_seg2.tx_
.\i386\pro_seg3.sw_
.\i386\pro_seg3.tx_
.\i386\pro_seg4.sw_
.\i386\pro_seg4.tx_
.\i386\pro_seg5.sw_
.\i386\pro_seg5.tx_
.\i386\proxycfg.ex_
.\i386\pwrmnw.ch_
.\i386\pwsdata.dl_
.\i386\rawxml.xs_
.\i386\rdsktpw.ch_
.\i386\relog.ex_
.\i386\reskitw.ch_
.\i386\rktools.ch_
.\i386\rootsec.in_
.\i386\rpcref.dl_
.\i386\rrcw.ch_
.\i386\rsfsaps.dl_
.\i386\rsnotify.ex_
.\i386\rsop.mf_
.\i386\rsop.mo_
.\i386\rsop.ms_
.\i386\rsopprov.ex_
.\i386\rsopsnpw.ch_
.\i386\rsopw.ch_
.\i386\saferw.ch_
.\i386\safrconw.ch_
.\i386\sceconw.ch_
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************************************************************************
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2004-08-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Word of the Day for August 23 is:
hallmark • \HAWL-mark\ • noun 1 : a mark or device placed or stamped on an article of trade to indicate origin, purity, or genuineness *2 : a distinguishing characteristic, trait, or feature
Example sentence:Even when he was in Little League, it was clear that Dave had all the hallmarks of a great baseball player.
Did you know?Centuries ago, King Edward I of England decreed that gold and silver had to be tested and approved by master craftsmen before being sold. Later, London artisans were required to bring finished metal goods to Goldsmith's Hall to be checked, and if those items met the quality standards of the craft-masters there, they would be marked with a special stamp of approval. (The process is much the same today.) At first, people used "hallmark" to name that mark of excellence from Goldsmith's Hall, but over the years the word came to refer to any mark guaranteeing purity or genuineness, and eventually to name any sign of outstanding talent, creativity, or excellence.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

2004-08-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! - 100 MB

If you are still using 6MB mailbox in Yahoo! Then follow the following trick so that your mailbox size gets upgraded to 100MB.

1. Goto http://edit.yahoo.com/config/set_intl
2. It asks for the username & password
3. Enter the username and password, which is still 6MB
4. Change the language content there to US English from Indian English
5. Click on Accept
6. Click on mail
7. Check your mailbox size

2004-08-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew is the heroine of a popular mystery series for girls. The series was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate The Stratemeyer Syndicate was the publisher of a number of series for children and adults including the Nancy Drew mysteries, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr., and others.
The Syndicate was the brain-child of Edward Stratemeyer, whose ambition was to be a "paperback writer", a la Horatio Alger. He succeeded in this ambition (eventually even writing some books under the pseudonym "Horatio Alger"), churning out inspiring, up-by-the-bootstraps tales with titles such as "I Want to be an Electrician"...... Click the link for more information. . The series was ghostwritten in the early years primarily by Mildred Wirt Benson Mildred Wirt Benson (July 10, 1905, to May 28, 2002), writing as Carolyn Keene, was the author of 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew mysteries.
Benson was born Mildred Augustine in Ladora, Iowa, and was married to Asa Wirt and, after Wirt's death, to George Benson, editor of the Toledo Blade newspaper of Toledo, Ohio. She was a graduate in journalism from the University of Iowa. She worked for 58 years as a journalist and was still writing a weekly column for the Toledo Blade at 96 at the time of her death...... Click the link for more information. . Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (who succeeded her father Edward as the head of the Syndicate), contributed a number of volumes and oversaw the substantial revisions begun in the fifties.
All books are published under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene Carolyn Keene is the pen name of the authors of the Nancy Drew mystery series, published by the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Stratemeyer hired writers, including Mildred Benson, to write the novels in this series, who were initially were paid only $125 for each book and were required by their contract to give up all rights to the work and to maintain confidentiality. Edward Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Adams, also wrote books in the Nancy Drew series under the pseudonym...... Click the link for more information.
Over 200 million have been sold worldwide. Many people collect the series, which has gone through several formats over the years. The series has spawned various spin-offs, most prominently the Nancy Drew Files, starting with Secrets Can Kill (1991).
Nancy Drew's father is Lawyer Carson Drew, her mother died when she was young, so she lives in River Heights with her father and her housekeeper Hannah Gruen. She is often joined in her sleuthing activities by her close friends George Fayne and Bess Marvin. Nancy's boyfriend is (usually) Ned Nickerson who often lends his support and help, while George calls on her on-off counterpart Burt Eddleton, and Bess on Dave Evans.
An - incomplete - list of Nancy Drew books:
The Secret of the Old Clock The Secret of the Old Clock is the first book in the Nancy Drew mystery series by Carolyn Keene.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Hidden Staircase The Hidden Staircase is the second book in the Nancy Drew mystery series by Carolyn Keene.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Bungalow Mystery The Bungalow Mystery is the third book in the Nancy Drew mystery series by Carolyn Keene...... Click the link for more information.
The Mystery at Lilac Inn
The Secret at Shadow Ranch
The Secret of Red Gate Farm
The Clue in the Diary
Nancy's Mysterious Letter
The Sign of the Twisted Candles
The Password to Larkspur Lane
The Clue of the Broken Locket
The Message in the Hollow Oak
The Mystery of the Ivory Charm
The Whispering Statue
The Haunted Bridge
The Clue of the Tapping Heels
The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk
The Mystery of the Moss Covered Mansion
The Quest of the Missing Map
The Clue in the Jewel Box
The Secret in the Old Attic
The Clue in the Crumbling Wall
The Mystery of the Tolling Bell
The Clue in the Old Album
The Ghost of Blackwood Hall
The Clue of the Leaning Chimney
The Secret of the Wooden Lady
The Clue of the Black Keys
The Mystery at the Ski Jump
The Clue of the Velvet Mask
The Ringmaster's Secret
The Scarlet Slipper Mystery
The Witch Tree Symbol
The Hidden Window Mystery
The Haunted Showboat
The Secret of the Golden Pavilion
The Clue in the Old Stagecoach
The Mystery of the Fire Dragon
The Clue of the Dancing Puppet
The Moonstone Castle Mystery
The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes
The Phantom of Pine Hill
The Mystery of the 99 Steps
The Clue in the Crossword Cipher
The Spider Sapphire Mystery
The Invisible Intruder
The Mysterious Mannequin
The Crooked Banister
The Secret of Mirror Bay
The Double Jinx Mystery
Mystery of the Glowing Eye
The Secret of the Forgotten City
The Sky Phantom
Strange Message in the Parchment
Mystery of Crocodile Island
The Thirteenth Pearl
The Triple Hoax
The Flying Saucer Mystery
The Secret in the Old Lace
The Greek Symbol Mystery
The Swami's Ring
The Kachina Doll Mystery
The Twin Dilemma
Captive Witness
Mystery of the Winged Lion
Race Against Time
The Sinister Omen
The Elusive Heiress
Clue in the Ancient Disguise
The books were reprinted in the 1970s and 1980s, and in the early 1990s, a new series of books were created for Simon & Schuster
Simon and Schuster is a publishing house founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and Max Schuster, notable for its publication of Crossword puzzle books.
Crossword puzzles first appeared in the New York World in 1913. By 1924, they had been a weekly feature for many years. According to Frederick Lewis Allen's Only Yesterday: An Informal History of the 1920's Simon's aunt, a crossword devotee, asked him whether there was a book of these puzzles that she could give to a friend. Simon discovered that none had been published, and, with Schuster, launched a company to exploit the opportunity...... Click the link for more information. , under the new epithet The Nancy Drew Files. The 'Original' series was also extended, and in more recent years, the extra series' Nancy Drew on Campus and Nancy Drew Notebooks have added to the tales about the titian-haired sleuth.
Nancy Drew has (in)frequent crossover stories with The Hardy Boys The Hardy Boys are the heroes of a popular series of detective books for boys. Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate created the plot outlines, while Leslie McFarlane wrote 18 of the first 24 books in the series, all under the pen-name Franklin W. Dixon. The first three books were published in 1927. (Some later books were also written by Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, daughter of Edward Stratemeyer)...... Click the link for more information. , created under the pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who wrote the Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate.
Due to the popularity of the Syndicate's various series, its ghostwriters have produced "crossover" novels, containing characters drawn from multiple, otherwise independent series. For example, the Hardy Boys have solved mysteries with both Nancy Drew and Tom Swift. In several cases, these efforts are credited to Dixon, who is given preference over Carolyn Keene and Victor Appleton, the pseudonyms associated with the other series...... Click the link for more information. .
The name Carolyn Keene Carolyn Keene is the pen name of the authors of the Nancy Drew mystery series, published by the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Stratemeyer hired writers, including Mildred Benson, to write the novels in this series, who were initially were paid only $125 for each book and were required by their contract to give up all rights to the work and to maintain confidentiality. Edward Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Adams, also wrote books in the Nancy Drew series under the pseudonym...... Click the link for more information. has also been used to author a shorter series of books in a similar (female detective) vein, as a more accurate crossbreed of The Hardy Boys The Hardy Boys are the heroes of a popular series of detective books for boys. Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate created the plot outlines, while Leslie McFarlane wrote 18 of the first 24 books in the series, all under the pen-name Franklin W. Dixon. The first three books were published in 1927. (Some later books were also written by Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, daughter of Edward Stratemeyer)...... Click the link for more information. and Nancy Drew, entitled The Dana Girls The Dana Girls mystery stories, 1932 - 1968, were created by American author Harriet Stratemeyer Adams to capitalize on the popularity of both the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys books. The series was mainly written by Adams and Mildred Wirt Benson, who also wrote many of the early volumes in the Nancy Drew series.
"The adventures of resourceful Louise Dana and her irrepressible sister Jean..... Click the link for more information. , featuring detective sisters.
Actress Bonita Granville portrayed the character of Nancy Drew in four movies in the 1930s Centuries: 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
Decades: 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s - 1930s - 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
Years: 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
Events and trends
Technology
Jet engine invented
Science
Nuclear fission discovered by Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner and Fritz Strassmann
Pluto, the ninth planet from the Sun, is discovered by Clyde Tombaugh ..... Click the link for more information. . A television See TV (disambiguation) for other uses of TV.
Television is a telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound over a distance. The term has come to refer to all the aspects of television programming and transmission as well. The word television is a hybrid word, coming from both Greek and Latin. "Tele-" is Greek for "far", while "-vision" is from the Latin "visio", meaning "vision" or "sight"...... Click the link for more information. series called The Hardy Boys The Hardy Boys are the heroes of a popular series of detective books for boys. Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate created the plot outlines, while Leslie McFarlane wrote 18 of the first 24 books in the series, all under the pen-name Franklin W. Dixon. The first three books were published in 1927. (Some later books were also written by Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, daughter of Edward Stratemeyer)...... Click the link for more information. Nancy Drew Mysteries appeared on television in the 1970s Centuries: 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
Decades: 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s - 1970s - 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
Years: 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Events and trends
Computers, technology
Pocket calculators make the slide rule obsolete.
Home computer revolution starts
Unix created along with C programming language
Microsoft is founded (1975) ..... Click the link for more information. , and another, brief series appeared in 1995 1995 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). It has a Golden number of 1, and was the first year of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995-2005): http://www.unesco.org/culture/indigenous/
Years:1992 1993 1994 - 1995 - 1996 1997 1998Decades:1960s 1970s 1980s - 1990s - 2000s 2010s 2020sCenturies:19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1995 in aviation1995 in film1995 in literature1995 in music1995 in sports1995 in television..... Click the link for more information. . In 2003 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also:
The International Year of Freshwater
The European Disability Year
Years:2000 2001 2002 - 2003 - 2004 2005 2006Decades:1970s 1980s 1990s - 2000s - 2010s 2020s 2030sCenturies:..... Click the link for more information. , ABC
The American Broadcasting Company or ABC is a television and radio network in the United States, today owned by The Walt Disney Company.
The ABC logo was designed by Paul Rand in 1962, and is still in use today. He also designed the IBM and UPS (United Parcel Services) logos.
Founding of American Broadcasting Company
In 1940 the Federal Communications Commission..... Click the link for more information. broadcast a TV film featuring Maggie Lawson Maggie Lawson is an actress who has starred in the sitcoms Family Rules, Inside Scwartz and It's all Relative and the movie Nancy Drew. She is often confused with Rachel Blanchard...... Click the link for more information. as Nancy Drew.
The following titles have been adapted as computer games:
Secrets Can Kill
Stay Tuned for Danger
Message in a Haunted Mansion
The Treasure in the Royal Tower
The Final Scene
The Secret of the Scarlet Hand
The Haunted Carousel
The Secret of Shadow Ranch
External links
Information on interactive Nancy Drew computer games
Information on Nancy
http://nancy-drew.mysterynet.com
http://www.onlynancydrew.com/
Fantastic Fansite, with sections on every aspect of Nancy's world
Around the World with Nancy Drew
http://nancydrew2001.tripod.com/index.html
http://nancydrew2001.tripod.com/nd0.htm

2004-08-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

Hardy Boys

The Hardy Boys are the heroes of a popular series of detective books A book is a collection of leaves of paper, parchment or other material, bound together along one edge within covers. A book is also a literary work or a main division of such a work. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book.
In library and information science, a book is called a monograph to distinguish it from serial publications such as magazines, journals or newspapers...... Click the link for more information. for boys. Edward Stratemeyer Edward Stratemeyer (1862 - 1930) was a U.S. juvenile novelist. He created the characters Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and Tom Swift.
..... Click the link for more information. , founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate The Stratemeyer Syndicate was the publisher of a number of series for children and adults including the Nancy Drew mysteries, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr., and others.
The Syndicate was the brain-child of Edward Stratemeyer, whose ambition was to be a "paperback writer", a la Horatio Alger. He succeeded in this ambition (eventually even writing some books under the pseudonym "Horatio Alger"), churning out inspiring, up-by-the-bootstraps tales with titles such as "I Want to be an Electrician"...... Click the link for more information. created the plot outlines, while Leslie McFarlane wrote 18 of the first 24 books in the series, all under the pen-name Franklin W. Dixon Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who wrote the Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate.
Due to the popularity of the Syndicate's various series, its ghostwriters have produced "crossover" novels, containing characters drawn from multiple, otherwise independent series. For example, the Hardy Boys have solved mysteries with both Nancy Drew and Tom Swift. In several cases, these efforts are credited to Dixon, who is given preference over Carolyn Keene and Victor Appleton, the pseudonyms associated with the other series...... Click the link for more information. . The first three books were published in 1927 Years:1924 1925 1926 - 1927 - 1928 1929 1930Decades:1890s 1900s 1910s - 1920s - 1930s 1940s 1950sCenturies:19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1927 in aviation1927 in film1927 in literature1927 in music1927 in science1927 in sports1927 state leaders1927 in Canada..... Click the link for more information. . (Some later books were also written by Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams Harriet Adams (born Harriet Stratemeyer, pseudonyms Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon) (1893 - 1982), U.S. juvenile mystery novelist; wrote Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. She was the daughter of Edward Stratemeyer...... Click the link for more information. , daughter of Edward Stratemeyer Edward Stratemeyer (1862 - 1930) was a U.S. juvenile novelist. He created the characters Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and Tom Swift.
..... Click the link for more information. ).
In 1959, the first 38 titles were revised, "revisions ranged from slight alteration to completely new stories. All the stories were reduced in length, had obsolete prose updated and had racial stereotypes (which abounded in many of the early volumes) removed". In 1979 Grosset & Dunlap lost the rights to publish any new Hardy Boys tales, but retained the rights to the 59 titles to that date (the 58 in the series, and the special Detective Handbook).
The original canon consists of:
01 The Tower Treasure (1927)
02 The House on the Cliff (1927)
03 The Secret of the Old Mill (1927)
04 The Missing Chums (1928)
05 Hunting for Hidden Gold (1928)
06 The Shore Road Mystery (1928)
07 The Secret of the Caves (1929)
08 The Mystery of Cabin Island (1929)
09 The Great Airport Mystery (1930)
10 What Happened at Midnight (1931)
11 While the Clock Ticked (1932)
12 Footprints under the Window (1933)
13 The Mark on the Door (1934)
14 The Hidden Harbor Mystery (1935)
15 The Sinister Signpost (1936)
16 A Figure in Hiding (1937)
17 The Secret Warning (1938)
18 The Twisted Claw (1939)
19 The Disappearing Floor (1940)
20 The Mystery of the Flying Express (1941)
21 The Clue of the Broken Blade (1942)
22 The Flickering Torch Mystery (1943)
23 The Melted Coins (1944)
24 The Short-Wave Mystery (1945)
25 The Secret Panel (1946)
26 The Phantom Freighter (1947)
27 The Secret of Skull Mountain (1948)
28 The Sign of the Crooked Arrow (1949)
29 The Secret of the Lost Tunnel (1950)
30 The Wailing Siren Mystery (1951)
31 The Secret of Wildcat Swamp (1952)
32 The Crisscross Shadow (1953)
33 The Yellow Feather Mystery (1954)
34 The Hooded Hawk Mystery (1954)
35 The Clue in the Embers (1955)
36 The Secret of Pirate's Hill (1956)
37 The Ghost of Skeleton Rock (1957)
38 The Mystery at Devil's Paw (1959)
39 The Mystery of the Chinese Junk (1960)
40 The Mystery of the Desert Giant (1961)
41 The Clue of the Screeching Owl (1962)
42 The Viking Symbol Mystery (1963)
43 The Mystery of the Aztec Warrior (1964)
44 The Haunted Fort (1965)
45 The Mystery of the Spiral Bridge (1966)
46 The Secret Agent on Flight 101 (1967)
47 The Mystery of the Whale Tattoo (1968)
48 The Arctic Patrol Mystery (1969)
49 The Bombay Boomerang (1970)
50 Danger on Vampire Trail (1971)
51 The Masked Monkey (1972)
52 The Shattered Helmet (1973)
53 The Clue of the Hissing Serpent (1974)
54 The Mysterious Caravan (1975)
55 The Witch-Master's Key (1976)
56 Jungle Pyramid (1977)
57 Mystery of the Firebird Rocket (1978)
58 Sting of the Scorpion (1979)
As with similar series', including Nancy Drew Nancy Drew is the heroine of a popular mystery series for girls. The series was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The series was ghostwritten in the early years primarily by Mildred Wirt Benson. Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (who succeeded her father Edward as the head of the Syndicate), contributed a number of volumes and oversaw the substantial revisions begun in the fifties...... Click the link for more information. and The Dana Girls The Dana Girls mystery stories, 1932 - 1968, were created by American author Harriet Stratemeyer Adams to capitalize on the popularity of both the Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys books. The series was mainly written by Adams and Mildred Wirt Benson, who also wrote many of the early volumes in the Nancy Drew series.
"The adventures of resourceful Louise Dana and her irrepressible sister Jean..... Click the link for more information. , the revised editions were also renumbered in later paperback printings.
The Hardy Boys are brother detectives, Frank being the elder of the two, and Joe his younger brother. The two sleuths live in Bayport with their father Fenton Hardy (himself a private detective), their mother Laura, and their Aunt Gertrude. Frank's longtime girlfriend is Callie Shaw, while Joe is often linked with Iola Morton, the sister of the duo's good friend Chet. Other friends who assist the brothers include Phil Cohen and Biff Hooper.
More recently, a new series of books entitled The Hardy Boys: Case Files has continued the tales in a more up-to-date manner and a more grown up read with more action to follow etc.
There are numerous Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew Nancy Drew is the heroine of a popular mystery series for girls. The series was created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The series was ghostwritten in the early years primarily by Mildred Wirt Benson. Harriet Stratemeyer Adams (who succeeded her father Edward as the head of the Syndicate), contributed a number of volumes and oversaw the substantial revisions begun in the fifties...... Click the link for more information. books, and the three titular detectives have also appeared together in television series'.
The characters should not be confused with the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys The Right Honourable Sir Michael Hardie Boys, GNZM, GCMG, QSO, was New Zealand's seventeenth Governor-General from 1996 to 2001.
Sir Michael was educated at Wellington College where he was a school prefect, and gained the degrees of B.A. and LL.B. at Victoria University College
Originally a lawyer, he became a Judge of the High Court of New Zealand in 1980, and elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1989. He was created a Privy Counsellor the same year...... Click the link for more information. , New Zealand's seventeenth Governor-General. There is no relation.
External links
http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon/hb0.htm
http://www.win.net/~bayport/canon.html
http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon/bt01.htm

2004-08-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Review: "Air Force One"

W.J. Rayment / Conservative Bookstore -- The first president to get air-born was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He found air travel to be quick, if not always convenient or comfortable. He was succeeded by Truman who made sure that there was a presidential plane that lived up to the dignity of the president. The press called it the "Sacred Cow", for obvious reasons, even though Truman had named it the "Independence". Then Ike became president in 1953. He scaled back some of the amenities that had been built into the "Sacred Cow" and dubbed the new presidential plane "The Columbine" (after the official flower of his wife's native state, Colorado).
The call sign for Ike's aircraft was "Air Force 610". When this was used on a flight to Florida it was briefly confused with "Eastern 610" a commercial flight. Although it caused no difficulties at the time the pilot, Col. Bill Draper, thought this could result in a dangerous misunderstanding in the future; so he quickly chose a call sign that would be confused with no other, "Air Force One". The press got wind of the new call sign and attached it to the presidential aircraft. So it has been called "Air Force One" in all its various manifestations ever since.
Kenneth T. Walsh's book "Air Force One" is loaded with fascinating stories about the famous aircraft and the men who flew in it. He has done a magnificent job researching each president, presenting anecdote after anecdote told by leading figures within each administration, including many of the past presidents themselves.
There are chapters covering each of the flying presidents telling how each used the plane and how the plane itself revealed the true personality of its most famous occupant. This is one of the major themes of the book. Mr. Walsh comments on the leadership style of each president, his accomplishments, his drawbacks. Each president had his good points as well as bad - in the tight quarters and sometimes long hours of travel in Air Force One this would be revealed to those who were not always close to him in the White House. Johnson was gruff and crude, Nixon reclusive and brooding, Kennedy polite and enthusiastic but sometimes ill and inconsiderate of his wife.
Famous incidents occurred on Air Force One like Johnson's swearing into office after Kennedy's assassination. Johnson prevailed upon the shocked and grieving Jackie Kennedy literally to stand beside him while he took the oath as the plane sat on the ground in Texas. She was still in her blood-spattered dress. Johnson wanted her to be prominent in the photos of the event so that the world would see him as the legitimate heir of the administration. The Kennedy clan never forgave Johnson for this callous act. After the swearing in, Jackie went to sit near the coffin containing her dead husband as "Air Force One" winged its way back to Washington D.C.
Many weighty decisions have been made in the air. This is where Nixon first considered bombing Cambodia during the Viet Nam War, and where he first learned of the Watergate break-in. This is where presidents have gotten closest to the press. This is where speeches have been written and critiqued, and where presidents have escaped from adoring or jeering crowds. All this is part of the "Air Force One" story, and it is a story well worth reading.
Mr. Walsh's writing style is fluid and engrossing. His analysis is cogent and pointed. What is more, his stories have a point, giving the reader insights into history and politics. When all is said and done, "Air Force One" is a fun and informative read.

2004-08-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

(mathematics) googol - The number represented in base-ten by a one with a hundred zeroes after it.According to Webster's Dictionary, the name was coined in 1938 by Milton Sirotta, the nine-year-old nephew of American mathematician, Edward Kasner

(mathematics) googolplex - The number represented in base-ten by a one with a googol zeroes after it.

2004-08-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

Advice to employees on the proper useof the System Administrator's valuable time
(In following examples, we will substitute the name "Ted" as the System Administrator)

Play with all the wires you can find. If you can't find enough, open something up to expose them. After you have finished, and nothing works anymore, put it all back together and call Ted. Deny that you touched anything and that it was working perfectly only five minutes ago. Ted just loves a good mystery. For added effect you can keep looking over his shoulder and ask what each wire is for.

Never write down error messages. Just click OK, or restart your computer. Ted likes to guess what the error message was.

When talking about your computer, use terms like "Thingy" and "Big Connector."

If you get an EXE file in an email attachment, open it immediately. Ted likes to make sure the anti-virus software is working properly.

When Ted says he coming right over, log out and go for coffee. It's no problem for him to remember your password.

When you call Ted to have your computer moved, be sure to leave it buried under a year-old pile of postcards, baby pictures, stuffed animals, dried flowers, unpaid bills, bowling trophies and Popsicle sticks. Ted doesn't have a life, and he finds it deeply moving to catch a glimpse of yours.

When Ted sends you an email marked as "Highly Important" or "Action Required", delete it at once. He's probably just testing some new-fangled email software.

When Ted's eating lunch at his desk or in the lunchroom, walk right in, grab a few of his fries, then spill your guts and expect him to respond immediately. Ted lives to serve, and he's always ready to think about fixing computers, especially yours.

When Ted's at the water cooler or outside taking a breath of fresh air, find him and ask him a computer question. The only reason he takes breaks at all is to ferret out all those employees who don't have email or a telephone.

Send urgent email ALL IN UPPERCASE. The mail server picks it up and flags it as a rush delivery.

When the photocopier doesn't work, call Ted. There's electronics in it, so it should be right up his alley.

When you're getting a NO DIAL TONE message at your home computer, call Ted. He enjoys fixing telephone problems from remote locations. Especially on weekends.

When something goes wrong with your home PC, dump it on Ted's chair the next morning with no name, no phone number, and no description of the problem. Ted just loves a good mystery.

When you have Ted on the phone walking you through changing a setting on your PC, read the newspaper. Ted doesn't actually mean for you to DO anything. He just loves to hear himself talk.
When your company offers training on an upcoming OS upgrade, don't bother to sign up. Ted will be there to hold your hand when the time comes.

When the printer won't print, re-send the job 20 times in rapid succession. That should do the trick.

When the printer still won't print after 20 tries, send the job to all the printers in the office. One of them is bound to work.

Don't use online help. Online help is for wimps.

Don't read the operator's manual. Manuals are for wussies.

If you're taking night classes in computer science, feel free to demonstrate your fledgling expertise by updating the network drivers for you and all your co-workers. Ted will be grateful for the overtime when he has to stay until 2:30am fixing all of them.

When Ted's fixing your computer at a quarter past one, eat your Whopper with cheese in his face. He functions better when he's slightly dizzy from hunger.

When Ted asks you whether you've installed any new software on your computer, LIE. It's no one else's business what you've got on your computer.

If the mouse cable keeps knocking down the framed picture of your dog, lift the monitor and stuff the cable under it. Those skinny Mouse cables were designed to have 55 lbs. of computer monitor crushing them.

If the space bar on your keyboard doesn't work, blame Ted for not upgrading it sooner. Hell, it's not your fault there's a half pound of pizza crust crumbs, nail clippings, and big sticky drops of Mountain Dew under the keys.

When you get the message saying "Are you sure?", click the "Yes" button as fast as you can. Hell, if you weren't sure, you wouldn't be doing it, would you?

Feel perfectly free to say things like "I don't know nothing about that boneheaded computer crap." It never bothers Ted to hear his area of professional expertise referred to as boneheaded crap.

Don't even think of breaking large print jobs down into smaller chunks. God forbid somebody else should sneak a one-page job in between your 500-page Word document.

When you send that 500-page document to the printer, don't bother to check if the printer has enough paper. That's Ted's job.

When Ted calls you 30 minutes later and tells you that the printer printed 24 pages of your 500-page document before it ran out of paper, and there are now nine other jobs in the queue behind yours, ask him why he didn't bother to add more paper.

When you receive a 130 MB movie file, send it to everyone as a high-priority mail attachment. Ted's provided plenty of disk space and processor capacity on the new mail server for just those kinds of important things.

When you bump into Ted in the grocery store on a Sunday afternoon, ask him computer questions. He works 24/7, and is always thinking about computers, even when he's at super-market buying toilet paper and doggie treats.

If your son is a student in computer science, have him come in on the weekends and do his projects on your office computer. Ted will be there for you when your son's illegal copy of Visual Basic 6.0 makes the Access database keel over and die.

When you bring Ted your own "no-name" brand PC to repair for free at the office, tell him how urgently he needs to fix it so you can get back to playing EverQuest. He'll get on it right away, because everyone knows he doesn't do anything all day except surf the Internet.

Don't ever thank Ted. He loves fixing everything AND getting paid for it!

2004-08-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Change Background Image when installing Windows

The first thing you need before you do anything, is a program that can open up, and examine the innards of the WINNTBBU.DLL. The program i use is Resource Tuner. Most people use Resource Hacker (cause its freeware), but i find this one alot more user friendly.
Whilst that is downloading, you may wish to extract the WINNTBBU.DLL from your I386 Directory on your WindowsXP CD, and chuck it in a folder someplace. I recommend making a brand spanking new folder where you can store all your new setup screen goodies, so you have them all in the one spot when you need them.
Download is done? Excellent. Give Resource Tuner the good ol' install treatment, and when you're done, execute the application.
From there, you'd want to select File --> Open and then select your WINNTBBU.DLL file you extracted earlier. Since Resource Tuner is a 30 day trial program, it'll ask you to register blah blah, just smash continue.
Your screen should look like this:
If you expand the bitmap subfolder, you'll see lots of little enteries that start with 100, and go up to 192. Now all of them arent there, so dont be alarmed. It goes from 100 to 109, then skips straight to 150. This is normal. You're not missing any enteries, so take thoes fingernails out of your mouth.
If you have a little browse through the enteries in the bitmap subcategory by clicking on a few, you'll notice that each one holds a different bitmap image. These are what you will be editing, and replacing, in order to make your install screens look spiffy.
You will notice that there are several versions of each bitmap image. One set are for 1024 x 768 (high resolution) and the other set are for 640 x 480 (Low resolution). We will be editing the high resolution images.
Here is a brief explanation of where the bitmap files you will need are located:
100 - Windows Logo in the top left hand corner.101 - Windows Logo in the top left hand corner.102 - Windows Logo in the top left hand corner.103 - The main background image.104 - Image shown next to the task when it has been completed.105 - Image shown next to the task which has not been completed.109 - Image shown next to the task when it is being performed.181 - 192 - Little animating images in the bottom right hand corner of the setup screen.
Okay. From then on, all you need to do is Right click on the image you wish to edit, and select Save Resource As... and choose a location to save the image.
Once you've extracted an image, its time to edit it. Any graphics editing program will suffice. Change it how you wish. The only limits are, that the backdrop must be 1024 x 768, and all images must be in 256 colours. I find it easier to make the image, then convert it to 256 colours at the end.
So now you have your new image that you want to throw back into the WINNTBBU.DLL. This is how you do it.
Back in your resource tuner, select the key that you extracted the image from, right click --> edit resource. On the next screen, you need to press the Open Resource button, illustrated below.

From there, select your edited bitmap. Next, select Ok. Select Yes from the next dialog box.
Follow thoes last few steps to editing your bitmap files, for all the other bitmaps you wish to change, save your new WINNTBBU.DLL (File --> Save File As...) and bobs your monkey! But don't relax yet ... we're not done.
By this point, you should have all your bitmaps replaced in the WINNTBBU.DLL file.
You're almost done! Open up a command prompt (windows key + R, then type in cmd) and navigate to the directory where you saved your WINNTBBU.DLL. (If you dont know how to navigate directorys through dos, i suggest you find out)
Next, at the command prompt, type in this command.makecab winntbbu.dll
This will create a file called winntbbu.dl_ in the same directory.All you need to do now is throw that file you just created (winntbbu.dl_) into your i386 folder on your XP CD, and thats it!
Congratulations, you've just changed your XP Setup Screens! Give yourself a pat on the back and a chocolate eclair. You've earnt it.
Note: You do NOT need to put the new WINNTBBU.DLL file into your i386 directory. Only the winntbbu.dl_

2004-06-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Enterprise Management with the Group Policy Management Console

2004-06-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Download details: Group Policy Management Console with Service Pack 1

Group Policy Management Console with Service Pack 1
The Microsoft Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) with Service Pack 1 (SP1) unifies management of Group Policy across the enterprise. The GPMC consists of a MMC snap-in and a set of programmable interfaces for managing Group Policy.

Quick Info
File Name:
gpmc.msi

Download Size:
5686 KB

Date Published:
6/15/2004

Version:
1.0.2

Overview
GPMC simplifies the management of Group Policy by making it easier to understand, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Group Policy implementations. GPMC also enables automation of Group Policy operations via scripting.

GPMC can be used to manage Windows Server 2003 as well as Windows 2000-based Group Policy implementations. Customers who have at least one valid license of Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server can obtain and use an unlimited number of copies of GPMC. Please see the End User License Agreement (EULA) provided with the GPMC software for details on licensing terms.

Key features delivered via GPMC include:

A unified graphical user interface (GUI) that makes Group Policy much easier to use.
Backup/restore of Group Policy objects (GPOs).

Import/export and copy/paste of GPOs and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) filters.
Simplified management of Group Policy–related security.
HTML reporting for GPO settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) data.
Scripting of Group Policy related tasks that are exposed within this tool (not scripting of settings within a GPO).

Prior to GPMC, administrators were required to use several Microsoft tools to manage Group Policy. GPMC integrates the existing Group Policy functionality exposed in these tools into a single, unified console, along with the new capabilities listed above.

GPMC with SP1 contains the following updates:

Various bug fixes. GPMC with SP1 fixes customer-reported bugs found in GPMC sample scripts, GPO reporting, and in the Migration Table Editor (MTE). Furthermore, fixes have been provided to address bugs found from Dr. Watson crash data and to allow the GPMC RSoP wizard to properly function if Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) is enabled on the computer running GPMC.
New languages. GPMC with SP1 is now also available in French, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Spanish.
Updated GPMC EULA. GPMC with SP1 includes an updated end-user license agreement (EULA) that allows GPMC with SP1 to be installed as long as you have a valid Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server license. For more information, see the GPMC EULA, which is shown during installation of GPMC with SP1.
Updated MSXML4. MSXML4 has been updated from MSXML4 SP1 to MSXML4 SP2.

Group Policy Management Console with Service Pack 1
English

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change language
Chinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)EnglishFrenchGermanJapaneseSpanish

Related Resources

Order the Free Windows Platform Manageability Kit
Enterprise Management with the Group Policy Management Console
Become a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
Group Policy in Windows Server 2003

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

GPMC runs on Windows XP Professional SP1 and Windows Server 2003 computers and can manage Group Policy in either Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 domains.
For Windows XP Professional users, you must have the following installed prior to installing the GPMC:
Windows XP Service Pack 1
.NET Framework
Your domain controllers must be running Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2 or later. Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 is recommended. Domain controller(s) located in an external forest must have Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or later installed if you will be accessing those domain controllers from a computer running GPMC, because GPMC requires signing and encryption of all LDAP communications. If do not have Service Pack 3 or later installed on the Windows 2000 domain controller(s) in an external forest, you can temporarily relax LDAP signing and encryption requirements by modifying the registry of the computer running GPMC, as described in Knowledge Base Article 325465.
When installing the GPMC on Windows XP Professional with SP1, GPMC Setup prompts you to install Windows XP QFE Q326469 if it is not already present. This QFE updates your version of gpedit.dll to version 5.1.2600.1186, which is required by GPMC. This QFE will be made available in Windows XP Service Pack 2.
If the language version of the GPMC doesn't match the language of your operating system, GPMC will not install the QFE. You will need to separately obtain and install this QFE. To obtain this QFE, please see Knowledge Base Article 326469.

Notes:
The GPMC does not run on 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows.

Setup for GPMC with SP1 automatically removes the original version before installing the new version. However, if you have installed any pre-release versions of GPMC (such as beta or release candidate versions), you must first remove the pre-release version of GPMC before installing GPMC with SP1.
The sample scripts that shipped with the previously released version of GPMC will be replaced with new sample scripts included in GPMC with SP1. If you modified any of the sample scripts and you want to preserve those changes, rename your modified sample scripts to a different file name before installing GPMC with SP1.

2004-06-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

Determine if you have the Enterprise Edition of Office XP

Only Enterprise Editions of Office XP CD's contain a folder called ORK.

Retail and OEM Windows Installer .MSI packages contain ret. Examples: proret.msi, sberet.msi.

Trial Windows Installer .MSI packages contain tri. Example: protri.msi

Enterprise Windows Installer .MSI packages do not contain ret or tri. Examples: pro.msi, proplus.msi.

2004-06-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

Extracting the OEM 9x Preinstallation Wizard from the CD (TTID #208)
Author: Kevin Views: 4,166 / Last Updated: October 26, 2002

If you have an OEM Windows 98fe, Windows 98se, Windows 95 CD you can extract the Installation Wizard from it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Open up a MS-DOS Prompt / Command Prompt

Change to your CD-ROM Drive Letter. Example if yout CD-ROM is drive letter is D: type:

D:

Press the key.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next, you will need to change to the proper directory on the CD. Type:

CD\TOOLS\ADMIN

Press the key.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Type in the command to extract the wizard using the following format:

mkcwrt /C:"command.com /C mkcwrt.bat {CD-ROM drive letter} {drive/path}"

Example:
If your CD-ROM drive letter is D: and you would like to extract the wizard to C:\wizard you would us the following command:

mkcwrt /C:"command.com /C mkcwrt.bat D: C:\wizard"

This will launch a second command prompt that extracts the wizard from the CD. It may take several minutes to complete depending on the speed of your CD-ROM.

2004-06-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

This list will be updated as additional information becomes available.
If you find any errors or have additional Windows 2003 CD Labels,

Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (Corporate/VLK | English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition
NRMSVOL_EN

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (Corporate/VLK | English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise
NRMEVOL_EN

Windows 2003 Web Server Edition (Corporate/VLK | English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Web Server Edition
NRMWVOL_EN

Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition
NRMSFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise
NRMEFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Web Server Edition (English)
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Web Server Edition
NRMWFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (MSDN Academic Alliance | English)^
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition
MSDN Academic Alliance
NRMSFPP_EN

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition Evaluation ISO
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition Evaluation
NRMEEVL_EN
May 25 2003
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (Italian)*
CD Set: -
Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (Italian)
NRMEFPP_IT
ISO-9660
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Data preparer: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, ONE MICROSOFT WAY, REDMOND WA 98052, (425) 882-8080

Boot Catalog at sector 19 Bootable disk
No emulation
load 4 at 0x7c0 from sector 253

Windows Small Business Server 2003 RC
CD Set: -
Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Disc 1
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83616
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660 (bootable)
NRCFRE1_EN
24 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Disc 2
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83617
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
NRCFRE2_EN
24 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Disc 3
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83618
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
NRCFRE3_EN
23 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
OUTLOOK 2003 Interim Build
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83619
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
OFFICE11
23 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
RC Premium Technologies
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83620
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660
PREMTECH
23 June 2003
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
CDIMAGE 2.47 (10/12/2000 TM)

Windows Small Business Server 2003
Resource CD
Trial Software
180-Day Limit on Use
0703 Part No. X09-83620
Data CD Mode 1
ISO9660, Joilet
sbs03pre
1 July 2003
n/a
Prassi PrimoDVD 2.0 - Build 2.0.837

2004-06-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

Spymac World :: News

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