Changing the name of a server inside of a domain? Finding computers whose names don’t match with their IPs? You may need to do some DNS “magic”.
Category: Windows Vista
How To: Create a Bootable USB to Install Windows
It’s simple to create a bootable USB to install newer Windows, Windows 8, Windows 7 or Vista as long as you follow this guide.
UPDATE! READ THIS!
You can now easily skip most of the steps further down in this guide. Why? You can simply download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool from Microsoft and create a bootable USB to install your desired Microsoft Windows operating system.
Click here to download the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
Despite its name, this tool works with both Windows 7, Windows 8 and newer.
The tool will automatically format the USB stick you select to make it bootable, then extract the ISO-file you choose and copy the files onto the USB stick. Once the process is done, you’re good to go!
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Quick note for Windows 8: Please check for any new BIOS versions before installing. Many motherboards have been getting new BIOS updates for Windows 8 optimization. Read the notes carefully before updating your motherboard using these new BIOS versions, as the manufacturer may have special instructions for updating the motherboard to support a completely new BIOS file format known as .CAP, before you can update to the absolutely latest BIOS version.
First you need to fulfill the following list of prerequisites, which I have expanded on much more than most guides similar to this one, so that you will be prepared for everything:
- A USB stick or similar USB storage device (aka” USB Flash Drive”) with a minimum of 3 GB capacity
(Tip: Some USB drives don’t work well as boot devices on certain systems. If you experience any issues, try a different flash drive.) - Windows 8, Windows 7 or Vista source files (from an ISO file or DVD)
(Tip: If you have obtained an ISO file, you may extract it using 7Zip or WinRAR.) - BIOS Settings and Hardware Checks:
- Change the boot priority of USB devices so that they are above any harddisks.
- Check the boot order for your hard disks. If your USB connected device shows up here, usually you need to hit “Page Up” (PGUP) to move it all the way to the top.
- Check that your computer supports booting from USB devices. If not, then you probably can’t boot from your USB media. You would need to run the installation from your DVD-drive or obtain an external DVD-drive or adapter.
(Tip: See your PC manual or a tech savvy friend if you have issues with this step. Normally you need to press either F2, F3, F5 or F12 to access the boot menu. Sometimes it helps to press ESC to see what you need to press if neither of those are working.)
Now let’s make a bootable USB device!
But first…
- You need to obtain the correct version of BOOTSECT.EXE (64-bit/x64 or 32-bit/x86)
If you’re making the USB bootable media for a 64-bit version of Windows on a 32-bit version of Windows, you need to get yourself the 32-bit version of the BOOTSECT.EXE tool used in this guide, as the 64-bit version found included in the 64-bit source files won’t run on a 32-bit OS. You should be able to get this from any 32-bit install source for Windows 8, Windows 7 or Vista. I cannot put it on my blog, because it is prohibited by the Microsoft EULA.
- Plug in your USB stick and backup any important files that you may want to keep.
- Open Command Prompt with administrator rights using either of the following methods:
- Hit the Windows key + R and type CMD. Hit CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER.
- Type CMD in the Start menu search box. Hit CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER.
- Go to Start > All programs > Accessories and right-click on Command Prompt, then select “Run as administrator“.
- Type the following commands in the Command Prompt box to find the disk number of your flash disk:
- DISKPART
- LIST DISK
- Identify your flash disk and note the disk number, then enter the following commands – assuming your USB stick’s disk number is 1:
- SELECT DISK 1
- CLEAN
- CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
- SELECT PARTITION 1
- ACTIVE
- FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK
(QUICK is the switch for Quick Format. Run the command without QUICK if you want all sectors checked. This could take a long time depending on the size and speed of the disk.) - ASSIGN
- EXIT
(BUT DON’T CLOSE THE COMMAND PROMPT YET!)
- Still in Command Prompt? Good, because you’ll need it again in a few seconds…
- If you have an ISO image of Windows 8, Windows 7 or Vista, you may now extract it if you haven’t already, then follow step 6.1. If you have a DVD, follow step 6.2:
6.1: Assuming you extracted the ISO to C:\Win7, bring up your Command Prompt again, then browse to the BOOT folder by typing: “CD C:\Win7\boot”
6.2: Assuming your DVD drive letter is “D”, bring up Command Prompt and browse to the BOOT folder by typing “D:CD boot”. - Assuming your USB stick drive letter is “E”, type the following command to make the USB stick bootable:
- BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 E:
- You should see a message saying “Successfully updated NTFS filesystem bootcode. Bootcode was successfully updated on all targeted volumes.”
[notice]If you get an error about x64/x86 incompatibility at this stage, you need to obtain the correct version of BOOTSECT.EXE – see the 4th bulletin at the very top of this guide for more info.[/notice] - Copy all of your previously extracted Windows installation source contents to the USB stick.
- Your USB stick is now ready for use! Remember to enable USB boot and change boot priority so that USB-drives are above any harddisks in the boot priority in the BIOS. Refer to your system manual for instructions on how to do this. Also, remember that some USB sticks don’t work as well as others as boot devices, especially with certain older systems that claim to have USB boot capabilities. I can confirm that it worked with a SONY 4GB USB stick on a Dell Latitude E4200 for me, and has worked with many others for people I know. The least reliable kind of USB stick seems to be the variety that come as USB adapters for different memory cards, like SD Card or Memory Stick, BUT they may work even if they don’t appear as USB devices, as they will often simply be listed as harddisks instead.
How To: Remove Windows 7 Watermark
If you’re like me, living on the bleeding edge with Windows 7 RC, you might have noticed the watermark in the right-hand corner of your desktop. Such things annoy me a bit, so I went to work (Googled) how to remove it, and found a great solution.
To remove your watermark(s), download this nifty little watermark removal application, right-click the appropriate file for your system (32-bit or 64-bit) and run it as an administrator. Follow the on-screen instructions and you’re set!
This removes watermarks for all Windows versions and all languages by searching for some standard watermarking strings and modifying the user32.dll.mui file instead of replacing it with a pre-patched file like others do.
Ignore any weird question marks that might be displayed in the CMD window – it still works perfectly.
This is a watermark. Watermarks are baaad!
Office 2010 The Movie
Microsoft attempts something different with their new marketing hype of the upcoming Office release 14, also known as Office 2010.
Launching www.office2010themovie.com, we’ re treated to some semi-witty movie trailer-esque videos. While showing us that Microsoft likes to be witty and creative with their marketing, they don’t really reveal much in detail about the new Office 2010 release (at the time of writing). So to make up for Microsoft’s shortcomings, I have included a video that shows some actual footage from the Office 2010 Technical Preview, courtesy of YouTube user lukychan.
You can actually sign up for the chance to try out the Office 2010 Technical Preview for yourself in July if you put yourself on Microsoft’s waitlist.
One important thing we do know is that it will be released in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions. We also know that Microsoft is focusing on options for adapting the Office suite to suit the needs of different types of users. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the final product.
Still, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re still trying to recover from their dreadfully awkward Songsmith commercial. (Click “Read the rest…” below the Office 2010 videos following to see it. It’s not for the faint of heart, so consider yourself warned.)
Office 2010 The Movie Teaser Trailer:
Office 2010 Technical Preview:
How To: Disable Thumbnail Preview In Windows 7
On my Media Center PC, after reinstalling some video codecs, my MKV* video files made Windows Explorer crash regularly when opening a folder with one of these files in it. To solve this problem, I had to disable automatic thumbnail generation in Vista or Windows 7. Disabling thumbnail preview in Windows Explorer can make Vista/Windows 7 perform notably faster in any case, as Explorer will no longer be generating thumbnails for every video and image file in every folder you open. This is especially useful when browsing back and forth between multiple folders. Follow these steps to disable the automatic thumbnail generation:
- Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard, then press E to open Windows Explorer (alternatively click Start > Accessories > Windows Explorer).
- In the Windows Explorer window, click on the Organize button on the menu/shortcut bar.
- In the pull down menu, click on Folder and Search Options.
- The Folder Options dialog window will appear. Click on the View tab.
- Under the Files and Folders tree heading, check (tick) the box next to Always show icons, never thumbnails option.
- Click the OK button and you’re good to go!
* MKV is a common container format for video, audio and subtitles, often used to distribute standard and high definition video, audio and associated subtitles in one single file, with support for multiple audio and subtitle tracks, just like on a DVD.
Edit: Some codec packs by default turns off MKV thumbnails, but also makes it possible to easily control this and MANY other settings through an easy to use Windows application interface.
How To: Enable Automatic Logon in Windows 7
To be able to access administrative shares and shut it down remotely, I added another user to my media center computer (HTPC) matching my usual username and password. Upon next boot, I discovered that instead of being logged on automatically, I was now presented with a logon screen, where I had to choose between the default (passwordless) user and my newly created “remote control” account.
“There’s got to be a way to get the automatic logon back”, I thought. Of course there is! Following is the simple solution to configure automatic logon in Windows 7 or Vista. (Please bare with me, and pretend that the Norwegian screenshots are in English for now.)