October 2010 ~ bench3

Prevent Accidental Printing Copying Or Forwarding Confidential Documents

Labels: Encryption , RMS , Security , Windows 7 , Windows Vista

Often, users need to share confidential documents to collaborate efficiently. For example, a user might e-mail a document to another user for review. However, when the document is copied from your protected shared folder or intranet, you lose control of the document. Users might accidentally copy, forward, or print the document, where it can be found by a user who shouldn’t have access.

There’s no perfect solution to protect electronic documents from copying. However, the Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) client, built into Windows Vista and Windows 7, enables computers to open RMS-encrypted documents and enforce the restrictions applied to the document. With an RMS infrastructure and an application that supports RMS, such as Microsoft Office, you can:

Allow a user to view a document but not save a copy of it, print it, or forward it.
Restrict users from copying and pasting text within a document.
Make it very difficult to open the document using a client that does not enforce RMS protection.

Windows 7 provides built-in support for using RMS to protect XML Paper Specification (XPS) documents. To use RMS, you need an RMS infrastructure and supported applications in addition to Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Haja is currently working in a multi-disciplinary role that combines programming including, SAP Administration, Network Management, and System Administration. He is passionate about Technology and this blog is his platform for sharing his ideas. If you like this post, Please leave a comment. And if you have any queries, mail to help @ bench3 . com

Benefit Of Windows 7 Defense-in-Depth

Labels: Security , Windows 7

Defense-in-depth is a proven technique of layered protection that reduces the exposure of vulnerabilities. For example, you might design a network with three layers of packet filtering: a packet-filtering router, a hardware firewall, and software firewalls on each of the hosts (such as Internet Connection Firewall). If an attacker manages to bypass one or two of the layers of protection, the hosts are still protected.

The real benefit of defense-in-depth is its ability to protect against human error. Whereas a single layer of defense is sufficient to protect you under normal circumstances, an administrator who disables the defense during troubleshooting, an accidental misconfiguration, or a newly discovered vulnerability can disable that single layer of defense. Defense-in-depth provides protection even when a single vulnerability exists.

Although most new Windows security features are preventive countermeasures that focus on directly mitigating risk by blocking vulnerabilities from being exploited, your defense-in-depth strategy should also include detective and reactive countermeasures.

Auditing and third-party intrusion-detection systems can help to analyze an attack after the fact, enabling administrators to block future attacks and possibly identify the attacker. Backups and a disaster recovery plan enable you to react to an attack and limit the potential data lost.

Enable And Disable Task Manager In Windows

Labels: TaskManager , Windows Registry

When you try to open Task Manager, the following error may occur:

Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator

This error is caused if the DisableTaskMgr restriction is enabled. To enable Task Manager, try one of these methods:

IMPORTANT: If this restriction was enabled in your system without you doing anything or without your knowledge, then it's highly likely that a Virus has blocked the usage of Task Manager in your system by enabling the DisableTaskMgr policy via the registry. I strongly suggest that you perform a thorough checkup of your system immediately. Steps listed in the Resolution section of this article helps you unblock the Task Manager, but that does not remove the Virus (if any) from your system.

Method 1

Click Start, Run and type this command exactly as given below: (better - Copy and paste)

Method 2

Download and run this REG fix and double-click it.

Method 3

Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe (for windows vista and windows 7 users, just click start and type regedit.exe in the start menu search and hit enter).
Navigate to the following branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies\ System

In the right-pane, delete the value named DisableTaskMgr
Close Regedit.exe

Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor - for Windows XP Professional

Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Navigate to this branch:

User Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options / Remove Task Manager

Double-click the Remove Task Manager option.
Set the policy to Not Configured.

Tips To Speed Up Internet Explorer 8

Labels: Internet Explorer , Web Browsers

Internet Explorer 8 - Fastest, easiest, safest browser ever. New features help you find and use things on the web a lot faster. Internet Explorer 8 is our fastest, easiest, and safest browser ever. Built-in security features help you ... Read More

Here Are Some Tips To Speed Up Internet Explorer 8

Check out the number of Toolbars you have on your Internet Explorer. I have seen people using Google toolbar, Yahoo toolbar, and Ask toolbar all at a time. I would recommend that you keep only the one you need. Even the Google toolbar add-in takes up considerable time when you start the browser. For any toolbar, keep the number of buttons and especially bookmarks, to minimum.
The number of favorites in Internet Explorer also affects its speed. Check out the favorites menu and remove the ones you do not need.
Microsoft has put in some add-ons that most of us do not use. Several other programs also force their own add-ons into the IE 8. Check out the accelerators, Search Providers, and Extensions (Tools Menu --> Manage Add-Ons). You will find several: email, blog, research, discuss, and many more that we do not use frequently. Disable or remove the unwanted add-ons, accelerations, and Search Providers.

For example, I have only Digg as accelerator, Google as Search Provider, and Google Toolbar enabled. I turned all other off to access my home page in less than a minute.

IE8 also has a feature called Feeds and Slices. Unless absolutely necessary, turn it off to save time. You can turn it off from Tools --> Internet Options --> Content tab, Feeds and Slices.
I would also recommend turning off Suggested Sites on the Links Bar. Seldom do people use it.
While installing any Download Manager, do not integrate it with the browser. You can always right-click to copy the URL and use it with your Download Manager. This also saves IE startup time thereby helping your speed up Internet Explorer 8.
The option of synchronizing Temporary Web Pages also consumes time. You may save time by making changes in the "General Tab" of Internet Options. Under "Browsing History", select Settings and then select the radio button "Never".
Finally, if you have Windows XP Pro, you can turn off storing and synchronizing offline webpages using GPEDIT.MSC. For other versions, you may download Windows XP Tweak from Microsoft Download Center and use it for the same.

Saving some seconds on each of the above tips, you can speed up Internet Explorer 8 to a satisfactory level.

Also Read:

Increase File Browsing Speed And Speed UP Windows Explorer

Thanks for tips about the increase the browsing speed.Your tips is very useful to increase my internet speed.I check my internet speed in the sitewww.ip-details.com.Its really increased... Read More

Internet Explorer 8 Fastest Easiest Safest Browser Ever

Internet Explorer 8 - Fastest, easiest, safest browser ever. New features help you find and use things on the web a lot faster. Internet Explorer 8 is our fastest, easiest, and safest browser ever. Built-in security features help you ... Read More

Configure Internet Explorer To Download More Than Two Concurrent Files

Reset Windows XP Administrator Password Without Using Third Party Software

Labels: Administration , Passwords , Windows XP

You can follow Microsoft instruction. But if you don’t have a “password reset disk” you have to follow this method:

With your Windows XP CD in the cd-rom drive and boot your computer
Press any key when you read “Press any key to boot from cd” on the screen
The first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting the system hardware and loading files
When you get to the Welcome screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now
Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement
The next screen gives you the option to start a Repair process. Use the arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

Don't use repair using recovery console option. Continue To install windows, then it will show that already another copy of windows exists. It will show your current copy of windows installation and give you options, now press R for repair. After resetting your password, you will need to continue the repair process.

Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes. Shortly after this stage you will be required to reboot
During the reboot do not press any key to boot from the CD again. Setup will resume automatically with the standard screen
Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen. When you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. A command console will now open up giving you a wide access to the system
At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel
Now remove or change your password as you prefer. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password. Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

Now that your logon problem is fixed, you should prevent this problem from happening again by creating a Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you forget your password. It allows you to set a new password.

Windows 8 To Support 128 Bit Architecture

Labels: 64Bit , Operating System , Processor , Windows 8

Leaks about Windows 8 details say Microsoft is planning a 128 bit operating system for 2012. Imagine what all changes will be required to run applications on the Windows 128 bit architecture. News about Windows 8 beta forced me to conduct a feasibility analysis of 128 bit architecture for Windows 8.

Benefits Of Windows 7 64-bit Operating System When deciding to move up to a 64-bit operating system, you should first consider what 64-bit gets you. Knowing what software runs on 64-bit should influence your decision; you will see no advantage if you are running 32-bit software on ...Read More

As of now, most of the applications built for 32 bit processor are in the process of being modified to meet the needs of 64 bit operating systems. Some are not even compatible with 64 bit Windows. Under such circumstances, it is almost impossible that even the major software vendors (including MS itself) can work fast enough to make their programs compatible with the 128 bit Operating System scheduled for release in 2012 (they cannot ignore 64 bit compatibility as it will cause performance depreciation).

We cannot expect the major players to create a steady, working, 128 bit processor that can handle a 128 bit operating system - not even in next five years. All we can expect is an enhanced multi-core processor. This can be something in the lines of 32 x 4 processor chips in same CPU. You will not get much performance as discussed above. Some performance can be achieved by modifying the system, data bus and improving cache handling via the 128 bit architecture.

There is no way the Windows 128 bit architecture can be based on a single core 128 bit processor. Hence, the number of system bus n data bus has to be increased and furthermore, they should be used by Windows 128 bit, for increased performance. This is possible only if Microsoft works closely with any hardware vendor. As of now, there is no such news in the air.

If Microsoft is able to setup the Windows 128 bit architecture to handle cache for multi-tasking, it will really be a giant leap that will change the future of computing. Further, the computers can use multiple, multi core data cards to enhance the performance. This would also require the peripherals to be updated so that they can work with the 128 bit OS. I cannot imagine how the hardware vendors can implement this in even another decade without compromising on costs and expenses.

With even the RAM chips to be compressed to include more GBs, it will take much time and effort before the "leaked" Windows 128 bit architecture can be implemented. What would be the cost of such computers? Can the average person even dream of buying such computers?

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Activation Crack

Labels: Activate Windows , CrackWindows , ServicePack , Updates , Windows 7

Please note that Windows 7 SP1 is still in Beta / development. And you need to wait for the final version of Windows 7 SP1 to be launched before any activation crack to be tested. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Available For Download.

Microsoft has been busy getting rid of all the Windows activation cracks that started to pour out even before the final release of Microsoft Windows 7. The activation cracks used to bypass the technology used by Microsoft that interpreted the activation.

With Service Pack 1, it became almost impossible for the hackers to crack the new activation technology used by Microsoft. But a new technique has emerged that uses SLIC and SLP to crack Windows 7 activation even before Windows 7 boot process which makes Windows look like genuine.

Both 32-bit and 64-bit (x86 and x64) Windows 7 Ultimate system should and can be activated immediately from now. For Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Basic, and Windows 7 Starter, the OEM-SLP keys haven’t been leaked for so long. thus can’t be OEM-activated for many days. Read more: http://www.bench3.com/2009/11/windows-7-all-version-activator-and.html

Uninstall Internet Explorer 9

Labels: Internet , Internet Explorer , Microsoft , Softwares , Web Browsers

Web browsing is the No. 1 thing people do on their Windows-based PC, and as such, they increasingly expect the same experience they associate with their PC applications from their favorite Web-based e-mail service, photo site or social network site.

This kind of immersible experience does not occur on the Web today, and using a browser is often associated with limited performance and interactivity. Microsoft developed Windows Internet Explorer 9 to help change this.

I noticed that many people have been having trouble un-installing Internet Explorer 9.0 Beta. This is because Internet Explorer 9.0 does not show up in the add/remove programs page. Microsoft is not too good in this regard. Anyhow, Need not be afraid, here is a quick and easy way to remove it.

Directions:

Press the Windows Key and type "view updates" (with no quotes) in the windows search box. Note: Or you can press Windows Key+R and paste "C:Windowsexplorer.exe shell:::{d450a8a1-9568-45c7-9c0e-b4f9fb4537bd}" (with no quotes) and press enter.
After the entire uninstall list finishes loading (this can take some time) look for "Windows Internet Explorer 9" in the list.
Select Windows Internet Explorer 9 and click the uninstall button. Hit ok to confirm.
Congrats you no longer have Internet Explorer 9.0. I recommend that you reboot your computer now.

Hope you enjoyed testing the beta.

One-Windows One-PC Licensing Requirement For Windows 7

Labels: Activate Windows , Windows 7

Microsoft implements a ‘one-Windows, one-PC’ licensing requirement: - Purchase a Windows 7 copy in that shiny shrink-wrapped box, you are only allowed to install the Windows in one – and only one – machine. When you purchase a new PC with preinstalled Windows 7, it must stay with your PC. You can’t copy Windows 7 from the bundled, original machine to a new machine. Microsoft employs the BIOS locking method to guarantee that the Windows 7 copy that ships with a computer stays tied to that specific computer, forever and ever.

However, some buts, ands, and ifs are floating around (for instance, what if you have upgraded Windows XP to Windows 7 but your motherboard suddenly dies and need to be replaced the next day?) and you are not allowed to copy Windows 7 and distribute pirated Windows 7 DVDs to your friends or install one copy on many machines in your office. Actually, you can install your Windows 7 DVD on many computers but unless you can get a product activation key for each machine within thirty days, Windows dies.

The actual actions taken by Microsoft to enforce the 30-day limit may change from time to time, mostly depend on the whims of Microsoft, however if you don’t activate your Windows 7 copy within thirty days, your product will be severely curtailed. It means, if you have six computers and you want to have Windows 7 on each of them, you need to buy six copies of Windows 7, either as preinstalled or in shrink-wrapped boxes. If you lend your Windows 7 DVD to some friends and they install it, they must come up with their own unique product keys or else their computers will cease to work. Unfortunately, Windows 7 Family Pack that comes with three keys is recently discontinued by Microsoft.

Microsoft implements a ‘one-Windows, one-PC’ licensing requirement by employing the Windows Activation technique. Each time Windows 7 is opened, it checks to see if it has been properly activated. Here is how the activation process works:

If you purchased a computer with preinstalled Windows 7, it’s already activated. The activation key should be printed on a “certificate” sticker that is supposed to be placed on the bottom or side of your computer. If you can’t find the certificate, sternly talk to the computer seller.
If you typed in the activation key (25 characters) during Windows 7 installation and the key hasn’t been used yet, your computer is activated immediately soon after you run Windows 7 for the first time.
Three days after the first logon, Windows 7 tries to connect to the Microsoft server through the internet, to verify the product key. If the key is faulty, Windows 7 does not start bellyaching about that until 3 days later. If you have a good product key – valid and it hasn’t been used by other user – you see an activation message saying that Microsoft confirm that your Windows 7 copy is genuine.

Make Your Firefox Address Bar A Google Search Tool Bar

Labels: Firefox , Google , Internet , Web Browsers

By default, when you type something on your Firefox address bar, the search item will load Google. And in any case, if that has been changed, then here is a Simple fix to get back Firefox to load Google as its address bar search tool..

Type about:config in Firefox’s address bar.

When you see a message, "This might void your warranty". Click "I will be careful, I Promise!" and continue to the next screen.

In the Filter box, type keyword.
You should find a few keyword entries. Make sure that keyword.enabled is set to true.
Look for keyword.url and right click on it to modify.

Copy this string value http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q= and enter it in the box.

Restart Firefox.

Download Torrents Through HTTP | Web Based BitTorrent Client

Labels: DownloadManager , Internet , Softwares , Torrent

If you have ever downloaded anything through P2P you would have certainly experienced the pain of the long wait…….. :P

What if you don’t have to wait that long just to download your gigs of files through peer to peer method.

BTaccel maybe just the answer you have been waiting for. It is a web based BitTorrent client that offers users the ability to download via HTTP.

According to Kaushik of InstantFundas, a 1GB file was downloaded completely to BTaccel’s server in about 5 minutes only and a few more minutes will be needed to start downloading it to your PC.

Go to InstantFundas for details and free invites still available to join BTaccel.

How To Change The Windows XP Product Key

Labels: Microsoft , ProductKey , Windows Registry , Windows XP

Sometimes it becomes necessary to change your XP Product Key if your key is pirated or illegal! How to change the key without reinstalling Windows? To do that, you need to edit the registry! Type ‘regedit’ in the Run command.

Click Start – Run - Type regedit and click ok

In the registry editor program, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents
Click WPAEvents folder and locate OOBETimer on the right pane.
Right click OOBETimer and choose Modify.
Change any one digit to deactivate Windows and click OK.
Once again click Start – Run. Type the following command in the Run box – %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a.
When the Windows Product Activation appears choose to activate by telephone. Click Next and choose Change Product Key. Type your new key and click Update.
If you’re taken back to the previous screen, click Remind Me Later.
Restart your PC.

Enable Or Disable Run Menu From Start Menu

Labels: Command Prompt , GroupPolicy

By default windows PC will have a run option in Start Menu. And in any case if you find it missing. Just press Windows Key + 'R' to see if run command opens. If you cant find Run command, Only two reasons are possible.

You or any of your computer user have desiabled Run prompt from your start menu.
A spyware or a malware attack on your computer has removed it.

Clean up your spyware or malware. Even after cleaning, if the Run command was missing from the Start Menu, then follow these steps...

Browse through C:\Windows\System32\
Open gpedit.msc

Go To User configuration - Adminstrative template - Start Menu And Task Bar.
Set “Remove Run Menu From Start Menu” To “Disabled”

Exit gpedit.msc
Restart your machine for the changes to take effect.

Use Windows Live SkyDrive As Network Drive Or As Virtual Folder

Labels: Microsoft , Networking , Virtual Folders , Windows Live

Windows Live SkyDrive offers 25GB of free online storage where you can store your files, images and what not. The only hassle is that you need to upload a few files only at a time, which is time consuming.

View All Screen Shots Here:

This is where SkyDrive Explorer comes in handy.

In the virtual SkyDrive folder you can easily add or remove files and also folders. I’m not sure if there are any limitations to copy files to the virtual folder but the online storage limits uploads to only 50MB at a time.

Download SkyDrive Explorer here. It supports XP and above only. Please visit the FAQ page of SkyDrive Explorer is you have any problems with the software.

Tips To Extend Your Laptop Battery Life

Labels: Battery , Environment , Power

Priorities shift when you’re not connected to an AC outlet. Suddenly, processor speed and the glitzy Glass interface just aren’t that important when your laptop battery is going to power off in few minutes. Read more on my earlier post on ways to improve battery life of your laptop : http://www.bench3.com/2009/06/ways-to-improve-battery-life-of-your.html

Here are few more tips on how to increase your laptop battery life :

Reduce Screen Brightness
Disable Desktop Background Slideshows
Turn off unnecessary radio signals. If you are using the laptop and you don’t need to be online, turn off your WiFi. If you are not syncing, turn off Bluetooth too.
Work on one application at a time
Disable background programs. See the lists of background programs that you can safely disable here
Disable Outlook’s auto send/receive. Read More
Defrag your harddisk
Remove disk media from drives
Hibernate dont sleep, since hibernate saves your laptop’s current state onto the hard disk and turns off the computer.
Take care of your laptop battery.

Other Posts: Windows 7 helps give portable computers longer battery life so that mobile users can be more productive and get more work done on a single battery charge. For example, integrated displays are the largest power consumer on typical portable computers. Adaptive Display Brightness automatically dims the display after a period of inactivity. Read more: http://www.bench3.com/2010/08/longer-battery-life-for-computers.html

Automatically Send Or Receive E-Mail At Startup In Outlook

Labels: E-Mail , Office2010 , Outlook

By default, when you start Microsoft Outlook, it Automatically Send Or Received E-Mail At Startup. However, sometimes Outlook does not automatically perform a send and receive operation to download messages from the server. This behavior can occur because of a damaged Send/Receive group within Outlook.

To resolve this behavior, create a new Send/Receive group in Outlook:

On the Tools menu, point to Send/Receive Settings, and then click Define Send/Receive Groups
Under Group Name, click the group, and then click Copy.
Under Send/Receive Group Name, type the new group name, and then click OK.
Under Group Name, click the old group name.
Under both When Outlook is Online and When Outlook is Offline, click to clear the check box for Include this group in Send/Receive (F9).
Click Close.
Quit Outlook, and then restart Outlook.

Outlook 2010

To resolve this behavior, create a new Send/Receive group in Outlook:

Click File, and then click Options.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Find Send and Recieve section, click Send/Recieve.
Under Group Name, click the group, and then click Copy.
Under Send/Receive Group Name, type the new group name, and then click OK.
Under Group Name, click the old group name.
Under both When Outlook is Online and When Outlook is Offline, click to clear the check box for Include this group in Send/Receive (F9).
Click Close.
Quit Outlook, and then restart Outlook.

Note: When you are using laptop, and if you want to save your laptop battery life, then adjust your send and receive accordingly so as outlook will not attempt send receive when running offline... Read More

Windows Could Not Start Because The Following File Is Missing Or Corrupt | Fix Windows\System32\Config\System

Labels: Boot , ErrorMessage , Troubleshoot

Windows Could Not Start Because The Following File Is Missing Or Corrupt:

Windows\System32\Config\System

You can attempt to repait this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM.

Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

You turn on your computer and suddenly you are faced with the screen above? Fixing it is not that difficult. To Fix this issue, All you need is to be able to boot using your XP CD!

Solution:

1. Boot using your XP CD
2. At the R=Repair option screen, press R
3. Choose #1 which normally is the correct location for the installation of Windows you wish to repair.
4. Enter the Administrator password if any
5. Type cd \windows\system32\config
6. Since system was corrupted so type ren system system.bak
7. Copy windows\repair\system
8. Type exit, take out your cd and reboot.

Thats it. Hope everything should work fine after your system reboots.

Download Latest Nvidia Drivers Offline Installer

Labels: Device Driver , Media , Softwares

Download the latest Nvidia driver which should clean up all your old Nvidia drivers from you machine and doesn’t requires a reboot.

It supports GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, and 400-series desktop GPUs as well as ION desktop GPUs.

The size is 128MB and you can download it here.

Install Google Chrome For All Users

Labels: Chrome , Google , Softwares , Web Browsers

Google Chrome’s setup installs the software only for the current user. This way, you don’t need administrator rights to install Chrome. Until now, those who wanted to install Google Chrome for all the users of a computer had to use the Chrome build fromGoogle Pack.

Download it here. The MSI installer currently only works on Windows, it will install the latest Dev Channel build and it is more targeted towards enterprise users.

iTunes Alternative | Clementine

Labels: Media , Softwares

If you have used iTunes before and find it occupying too much space on your PC, maybe you should have a look at Clementine.

Based on the popular Linux only music player Amarok, the developers have made it multi platform.

Aside from listening to your favourite music, you can also use it to listen to online radio stations.

Download here

Error 0X8004FE2F | Windows 7 Activation Fails When Behind A HTTP Proxy

Labels: ErrorMessage , Windows 7

Windows 7 activation fails with the following error code: 0X8004FE2F. You will get this error message when you are not able to connect to the Microsoft servers for activation. Indeed, the PC might be behind a corporate proxy or uses an automatic configuration script (.pac file) to access the internet.

Configure proxy host and port in IE connection's area manaully then connect and try to activate Windows 7. Try to contact one of these servers below without "user agent" information:

sls.microsoft.com
wer.microsoft.com
connect.microsoft.com

If you are not able to connect the above servers, then your proxy server is not allowing the access to the above sites. So, ask your IT team to allow your proxy server access the above servers.

Your proxies block traffic that does not contain user agent information, they had to allow these packets to the 3 sites.

Reduce Power Consumption With Cyber Switching’s ePower PDUs

Labels: Environment , Power

DATA CENTERS are seeking ways to reduce overall energy consumption so they can lower costs and be more green. Enterprises often start simple by turning off lights when they’re not needed or adjusting their thermostats.

But there are more effective methods to trim energy consumption, and it begins with managing power distribution. Cyber Switching offers one such option with its ePower PDU—the next generation of power distribution unit. ePower enables remote management options and provides fundamental power information for each of its outlets individually.

Chris Verges, ePower product manager, says each outlet features billing-grade power metering and relay control. “Power usage for each server in a data center can be tracked, helping facilities managers to accurately allocate costs to the proper business units based on actual runtime data and incentivizing IT managers to reduce their equipment’s power usage,” Verges says. ePower’s remote control capabilities let you reboot equipment when a lockup occurs or turn it off when not in use. Each outlet is also protected by Cyber Switching’s patented Cyber Breaker technology, which uses a software-controlled circuit breaker to limit overcurrent conditions to a single outlet. The Virtual Circuit Breaker is customizable and utilizes a trip-curve to help you save money and reduce downtime.

Ease Of Use

For any data center solution, ease of use is a must. ePower PDUs address this by integrating a full-color LCD touchscreen where you can view power information about the devices connected to each outlet, including the amount of current being pulled by each individual outlet or a combination of outlets and the voltage or power factor of each outlet. “Locally, the color LCD touchscreen can be used to configure the unit through its on-screen setup wizard and to manage the unit’s power as an aggregate on each input cord or bank or as each outlet,” Verges says. ePower PDUs support several remote management options, too, such as HTTP/S, Web Services, SSH, Telnet, Syslog, SMTP, and most recently, Cisco EnergyWise.

The Cisco EnergyWise platform simplifies the management of equipment such as routers, switches, and servers. It can be used to implement power management policies for businesses and to assemble power metrics into intuitive, user-friendly dashboards. Cisco EnergyWise is deployed on network switches and routers known as EnergyWise peers, with end devices known as EnergyWise endpoints. The open frame- work allows for a variety of applications for display and management. As a new feature, Cyber Switching’s ePower PDUs act as an endpoint for EnergyWise domains. “When the feature is enabled on ePower,” Verges says, “the PDU itself appears as a unique endpoint entity in the domain, with each outlet being enumerated as its own entity.

Now, corporate energy policy can be implemented using the power of the Cisco network and the power management functionality of Cyber Switching’s ePower PDU.” ePower PDUs also incorporate features that facilitate future growth. For example, ePower PDUs have two USB ports that let data center managers connect a myriad of peripherals, including temperature/humidity probes, Web cams, and UPSes. “The flexibility with USB allows ePower to be a platform that can grow with your needs, even years after the initial deployment,” Verges says. In all, ePower PDUs can simultaneously support up to 127 peripherals. Go Green According to Verges, there are three challenges that impede a company’s ability to overcome their environmental objectives. These include identifying the areas that need improvement, setting realistic goals and creating policies, and successfully implementing those policies.

DVD RW Shown As DVD ROM On Windows XP Mode In Windows 7

Labels: Virtual , Windows 7 , Windows XP

Windows 7 XP mode Support for DVD RW Read Write? Or just DVD ROM only ?

When you log onto Windows XP virtual machine in Windows 7 XP mode - the Optical drive will show as CD/DVD ROM. You will not able to Write Into your CD or DVD Using WIndows XP Mode.

This is because Windows XP Mode will allow your CD/DVD can to be used for READ only. However, you can attach the Drive (provided its a USB device) to the VM and then use it for ReadWrite.

Note: You actually have to attach your USB CD/DVD RW to the VM with the USB pull down menu. If not, your Read Write Drive Will be taken as a network drive.

What Is Green IT? | Using Of Computer Resources In An Efficient Way

Labels: Environment , Technology

In Simpler Terms, Green IT is related to energy efficient, cost effective and sustainable IT infrastructure through a comprehensive educational programme.

Green IT and Sustainability are the buzzwords of today's world. Sustainability represents a state of our society or community or in a bigger sense, of the world where people can stay healthy, breathe in carbon free clean air, drink fresh water and live longer. As an initiative, the corporate world has started concentrating on changing their business models to deliver environment-friendly products and services and making their businesses more profitable by saving money.

Leaders in IT, Finance, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility actively involved in sustainability initiatives.

Hybrid cars, waste recycling, carbon less/free products etc. are good examples of the end results of those initiatives. To create a collective effect and implement greener business environment, an organization has to reduce, reuse and recycle.

IT department in each company has a huge responsibility and an increasingly important role to play in this effort. It encourages IT departments to consider for lesser energy consumption by reducing power consumption in its servers, PCs, laptops, etc., and for carbon footprint reduction, paper free office, virtualization and alternate green technologies. Modern IT equipment makes it possible to have virtual meetings, rendering flights and other transportation unnecessary. It also provides opportunities for teleworking, which also saves transportation. Green IT can be defined as research in and use of IT in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

The goals of green computing are similar to green chemistry; reduce the use of hazardous materials, maximize energy efficiency during the product's lifetime, and promote recyclables or biodegradability of defunct products and factory waste.

Green Computing:

Describes the study and the using of computer resources in an efficient way. Green IT starts with manufacturers producing environmentally friendly products and encouraging IT departments to consider more friendly options like virtualization, power management and proper recycling habits. The government has also recently proposed new compliance regulations which would work towards certifying data centers as green. Some criteria includes using low-emission building materials, recycling, using alternative energy technologies, and other green technologies.

Study Of Green IT:

Green IT is a current hot topic that would be more accurately described as implementing IT with minimal negative impact on both our environment and on society – though the focus at present is on the environment. This includes both the impact of IT itself – reducing the power outage of IT systems, for example – as well as the impact of IT: reducing the waste in plants by using advanced IT applications. This means that any transformation, new system, process change, infrastructure etc should be implemented in such away that it takes into account the environmental impact and strives to minimise and wherever possible counterbalance that impact – aiming for a zero carbon footprint. However, this is not just about looking at how new changes are implemented but also about taking a look at what is currently in place and assessing how Green current systems/processes/infrastructure are and where the areas for improvement are.

In many instances this will focus on legacy systems that are inefficient from both an energy consumption and a process point of view. Being Green is also about reducing waste. Waste can be anything from over-manufacturing to excessive emissions to unnecessary inefficient use of resources – human or otherwise, including travel and transport as key aspects. One final facet is ensuring that electronic equipment is disposed of correctly – and wherever possible recycled – so as to minimise the environmental impact. Why the fuss? Society is generally changing its attitude to the environment. We are starting to feel the impact of climate change in our changing weather patterns and that is making people realise that climate change is real and that we need to be doing something about it before its too late. To quote Gartner, “The global information and communications technology industry accounts for approximately two per cent of global CO2 emissions, new estimates reveal.” The figure, which is equivalent to that of the aviation industry, is “unsustainable”.

Businesses have a social responsibility to the environment and may loose some credibility with their customers if they don’t do anything about it – because their competitors will; Rising fuel prices are having a negative impact on costs for businesses. This is a trend that is set to continue. Businesses need to look to reduce their energy consumption and/or look to other, non fossil fuel, sources of energy; Governments at all levels are looking to implement legislation that will make high levels of emissions and/or pollution very costly. Businesses therefore need to look to reduce both.

What are the benefits? The focus of Green IT is sustainability – ensuring business growth that is not at the expense of the environment or society – in other words responsible business growth. The main areas of benefit are therefore inherently that there is only positive impact on business, the environment and society.

The benefits from a business perspective are an increase in agility and a reduction in costs. Getting rid of old legacy systems that are often expensive to run, difficult to understand and maintain, inflexible, monolithic applications will have a more profound benefit to business than just making them more green. It will decrease costs and allow a faster response to opportunities and threats as they present themselves. A second benefit is more from a marketing perspective.

Going Green gives an organisation the opportunity to present themselves as socially responsible. Is this really going to happen? There are already signs that climate is changing and there are some evidence that is linked to carbon dioxide. What is clear is that we need to be more careful with our natural resources. Social attitude to environmental issues are already changing – people are using public transport more.

For example, in the UK 6.7% more people travelled by train in 2006, and an extra 30% are expected over the next 3 years. Organisations are already highlighting their Green strategies on their websites and using the Green agenda to try and gain more of the market share – for example retailers are highlighting how it is more Green to get your groceries delivered than driving yourself to the local supermarket. Fuel prices are rising and are expected to continue to do so. Some legislation has already been passed and more is on the way.

What should you be aware of? CxOs believe that going Green is going to cost them money and potentially inhibit them. They have not got the message that the key is to focus on sustainability rather than just on making everything environmentally friendly. Going green almost invariably reduces power consumption and will therefore have a payback – it is often a very compelling business case due to the high energy costs.

Focus is moving away from inefficient equipment to inefficient business processes and the need for business transformation. Many of our clients are looking at both of these anyhow, so putting a bit more of a focus on sustainability is not a big change. There are other aspects to Climate Change that our customers are interested in. In particular climate change modelling and impact analysis.

A Pen That Digitizes And Records

Labels: New Launch , Technology

In the curious product category of connected, voice-recording, pen input devices, Livescribe pretty much dominates. Its latest, the Livescribe Echo Smartpen, has a slimmed-down design and a host of new collaborative applications on the horizon.

Still, like its predecessor, the Pulse, the Echo’s greatest strengths are its ability to record written notes, sync them with live audio recordings, and provide an easy way to manage digital copies of both.

Despite being a bit slimmer than the Pulse, the 0.5-by-6.2-by-0.8-inch Echo is still a bit unwieldy. The rubberized tip helps your grip, but the 1.3-ounce device feels more like a big magic marker than a pen. Nestled inside the tip of the Echo pen is a high-speed, infrared camera that captures 70 frames per second. This camera captures anything you write, as long as it’s on the specially imprinted, not-quite-white note paper the company supplies. Connect the pen to your PC, and you can download digital copies of your handwritten notes.

Livescribe Echo Smartpen

$169.95 direct (4GB)
PROS Digitally captures handwritten and audio notes. Sensitive microphone. Pencasts can be shared online. Growing app library.
Actual pen tip is just a basic ballpoint.
Requires specially printed notepaper.

Pretty cool already, but there is more. The Echo also has a built-in microphone that records audio as you write. Want to find out what the professor was saying when you were taking your notes? Just tap a spot on the paper and click Play, and you’ll hear exactly—and clearly—what he was saying as you wrote in that spot. You can play back the audio on the pen or export it to your Mac or PC, where every stroke of your Echo pen is shown as the audio plays back.

The Echo comes in 4GB ($169.95) and 8GB ($199.95) models, which can store 400 or 800 hours of audio respectively.

The Livescribe Echo is a high-tech bridge between analog, handwritten notes and the digital world. This is a writing instrument any gadget geek will love.

Happy Birthday Windows 7 | Windows XP Deserved Retirement After A Decade Of Great Service.

Labels: Operating System , Windows 7 , Windows XP

I can say that windows 7 is a success! Windows XP can now have its well deserved retirement after a decade of great service.

Over 88% of all companies are currently piloting Windows 7 in their organization. This week Windows 7 celebrate the one year anniversary of the launch of Windows 7. All I can say is What a year Windows 7 have had since release.

Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009 and reached general retail availability on October 22, 2009 less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.

Originally, a version of Windows codenamed Blackcomb was planned as the successor to Windows XP (codename Whistler) and Windows Server 2003. Major features were planned for Blackcomb, including an emphasis on searching and querying data and an advanced storage system named WinFS to enable such scenarios. However, an interim, minor release, codenamed "Longhorn," was announced for 2003, delaying the development of Blackcomb. By the middle of 2003, however, Longhorn had acquired some of the features originally intended for Blackcomb. After three major viruses exploited flaws in Windows operating systems within a short time period in 2003, Microsoft changed its development priorities, putting some of Longhorn's major development work on hold while developing new service packs for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Development of Longhorn (Windows Vista) was also restarted, and thus delayed, in August 2004. A number of features were cut from Longhorn.

Blackcomb was renamed Vienna in early 2006 and again Windows 7 in 2007. In 2008, it was announced that Windows 7 would also be the official name of the operating system. There has been some confusion over naming the product Windows 7, while versioning it as 6.1 to indicate its similar build to Vista and increase compatibility with applications that only check major version numbers, similar to Windows 2000 and Windows XP both having 5.x version numbers.

Windows 7 And Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 RC Frequently Asked Questions

Labels: ServicePack , Windows 7 , Windows Server 2008

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Windows 7 SP1?

A. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is an update for consumers and IT Pros that helps keep your PCs supported, provides ongoing improvement to the operating system, includes previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 platform based on customer and partner feedback, and is easy for organizations to deploy a single set of updates.

Q: What is Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1?

A: Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 is an update for enterprises and IT Professionals that offers important virtualization enhancements to customers with the introduction of Dynamic Memory and Microsoft RemoteFX. It also includes previous improvements delivered via Windows Update and addresses feedback from customers.

Q. What are the system requirements for the Service Pack 1 RC?

A. Your current operating system must be the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 (build 7600).

Q. Can I install the Release Candidate over the Beta of SP1?

A. No. You must uninstall the beta.

Q. Can I install the RC on an evaluation version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2?

A. Yes. The RC of SP1 can install on RTM evaluation versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Q: When will SP1 be released?

A: Service Pack 1 will be released within the first half of calendar year 2011.

Q: Who should download and install the RC?

A: The RC is best suited for IT Pros, tech enthusiasts, and developers who need to test the service pack in their organization or with the software they are developing. The final release of Service Pack 1 will be available through Windows Update for consumers when it is ready.

Q: There are several downloads available. Which one should I choose?

A: There are two ways you can obtain the service pack RC. You can download a special key to enable Windows Update to offer you the service pack RC, or you can download the service pack directly. For each download method, you should choose the correct download for your platform (x86, IA64 or x64).

Q: Should customers who are considering deploying Windows 7 wait for SP1?

A: No. Windows 7 is a high quality release and provides many benefits to consumers and businesses alike. SP1 will include all updates previously available to Windows 7 users through Windows Update, so there is no reason to wait or delay their use of Windows 7.

Q. Can I upgrade from the RC builds to the final build of SP1?

A. No. You will have to uninstall the Service Pack or do a clean install of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Q. Will there be a slipstream build of SP1 RC?

A. No. The RC will only be available as the service pack update itself. You will need to have a release to manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 to install the RC of the service pack.

Q. What languages will be released at RC?

A. For RC, we will release English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Q. Will I be able to uninstall the service pack RC?

A. Yes, you will be able to uninstall the service pack RC if you need to. Please note, it is always a best practice to back up your data prior to installing any RC software.

Q. Will the RC stop functioning after a certain amount of time?

A. Yes. You will be reminded beginning August 30, 2011. The RC will expire on November 30, 2011. You will have to upgrade to a newer build or uninstall and return to the RTM build by that time.

Q: What other improvements are included in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 besides the virtualization enhancements?

A: Please see the Notable Changes document for detail on the additional improvements in SP1.

Q: Is RemoteFX different than Remote Desktop Services? How do they integrate?

A: RemoteFX describes a set of rich media capabilities that are available to customers using the Remote Desktop Services platform to deploy a virtual machine- or session-based remote desktop infrastructure. Specifically, RemoteFX enhances the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in Remote Desktop Services so that remote workers can access any type of application or screen content, including rich media and 3D applications, improving end user productivity.

Q: Will Dynamic Memory be available on Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2?

A: Yes.

Solve Internal Error 2738

Labels: Command Prompt , ErrorMessage , Windows Registry

Error 2738 is related with VBScript.DLL. when the DLL is not registered With Windows. Then you will have to face some problems.

This error indicates that the VBScript DLL is not properly registered on the Windows machine. You should be able to fix it it running the command

regsvr32 vbscript.dll

from a command prompt. Please let us know if this fixes the problem

If you dont run the command in administrator mode, you will get to come another error code..

[Window Title]
RegSvr32
[Content]
The module "vbscript.dll" was loaded but the call to DllRegisterServer failed with error code 0x80004005.
For more information about this problem, search online using the error code as a search term.
[OK]

So, make sure you right click on the command prompt icon and select "run as administrator" before you attempt to run the command: regsvr32 vbscript.dll

Try START - ALL PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - COMMAND PROMPT and right-click on command prompt. That should give you the option to run as admin. on Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Get Rid Of Evaluation Copy Watermark When Installed Windows 7 SP 1 RC

Labels: ServicePack , Windows 7

When you install the RC of Win7 SP1, you will get a watermark on your desktop "build 7601 watermark" what ever version of Windows 7 you be using , Retail or OEM, 32bit or 64 bit.

It is because you need to understand what RC Actually mean. Release Candidates Are Still Pre-Release Software, which is the reason for the Evaluation Copy Water Mark, And That All Builds Released Up Until The Release 2 Manufacturing Build (Or Sometimes Also Knows As Release to Web for Free Downloads) will contain both that water mark and the time bomb.

That is because the RC is not for production use, and it has a time bomb as well which makes it not very good for home use.

According to Microsoft The Release To Web Build Will Become Available in the 1st Half of 2011. Of course you are always welcome to try out the RC, but unless you have an alternate way of rolling back the RC just in case the Uninstaller does not work, you should probably hold off till RTW.

if you don't want to get the evaluation copy watermark, just roll back your system. No more RC. To know how to uninstall Windows 7 SP1 - BETA-RC, read my earlier post : Uninstalling Windows 7 And Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta | Do's And Dont's

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta (SP1 Beta) contains many updates to improve Windows 7. But if you notice that a hardware device or an installed program has a problem after installing the service pack, or if you just want to remove the service pack from the computer, follow any of the procedures below. Suggested Method For Removing Windows 7 SP1 BETA Read more: http://www.bench3.com/2010/09/uninstalling-windows-7-and-server-2008.html

Recover Modified And Saved Attachements Opened Directly From Outlook

Labels: Outlook , Recovery

Have you opened an attachement from outlook and modified it all the day and saved and exited??? dont know where the file is saved? here is the way to find it out. and to recover all your work.

When you open attachments from the email message before saving to the hard drive, Outlook places copies in the SecureTemp folder. This folder is a hidden folder under Temporary Internet files.

If you want to quicly find the saved files.

Windows XP users you can find your edited document in these folder. Dont panic even if you opened it multiple times... Outlook always gives a unique name each time you open your attachment. So, you can easily recover your files. please note that, you cannnot browse to this location. simply copy the below location and type in your RUN promt or in your Address Bar in windows explorer or My Computer.

%username% is the login id to your windows machine from where you opened the outlook attachement. so, replace %username% with your Windows login.

C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook

In this location you will find a folder of some strange name. And you can find your files inside it.

Vista moves the Temp Internet folder to

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\
Look there for the OLK or Content.Outlook folder.
The folders will be hidden, you cant see any folder name in this path. But just find it out by typing
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\OLK
or
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook

Just copy and paste the above location in the RUN prompt. or in the address bar in Computer.

Background: When you open attachments on email directly from Outlook, a copy is written to a temporary folder on your hard drive so your the virus scanner can check it before it is opened. The folder Outlook writes this temp file to is under the Temporary Internet Files folder where IE writes pages to when you surf the internet. This offers more security as only your user account and the computer administrator account can view the files under this folder. The only way to avoid "losing" attachments in this well hidden folder is to save them to your hard drive, before opening. Few people do this (myself included).

These files are supposed to be deleted when you close the opened attachment, however this only happens if the email message the attachment arrived on remains open - this is either an opened message in a new window or in the reading pane. When the message is closed (or you wait to preview another message) after the attachment is closed, the temporary file is deleted from the SecureTemp folder. If you close the open message or display another Outlook item in the reading pane but leave the attachment open, the temp file is not deleted when you close the attachment.

When this folder gets "full" you may have problems opening email attachments or embedded images won't display. If you open image attachments in Windows Photo or Image viewer and click next, you may see old images you thought you deleted. Delete the files in the folder to fix.